By TAIYE OLAYEMI

The 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) slated to hold from Nov. 5 to 11 will feature biopics of late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, as well as renowned artist, Nike Davies-Okundaye.

Chioma Ude, Founder of AFRIFF, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, in Lagos.

“The festival will present a selection of note-worthy films, including “Queen of Adire – A Story of Nike Davies Okundaye” by Titi Ogunfere and “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” by the visionary Bola Austen-Peters, among others.

“All these will showcase indigenous narratives from women who have made national impact.

“The festival will be adorned with a series of diverse activities, including panel discussions, and networking sessions, leading to the prestigious AFRIFF Globe Awards,” she said.

Ude noted that 2023 edition of the award would unveil three new exciting categories sponsored by MTN Nigeria.

She said these additions included: Honouree Award, offering N2million to each recipient and Viewer’s Choice category, allowing viewers to vote for their preferred movie of the year.

She said the last one was the Fan Favorite Award, enabling fans to cast their votes for their favourite actors and actresses.

“The awards will be presented to selected actors at the Globe Awards Night, on November 11 during the festival

“Actors to be honoured include Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chidi Mokeme (Shanty Town), Funke Akindele (Battle on Buka street) and Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun).

“Others are Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Kunle Remi (Anikulapo), Ini Edo (Shanty Town), Nse Ikpe Etim (4-44-44), Lateef Adedimeji, (Jagun Jagun) and Tobi Bakare (Gangs of Lagos),” she said.

Ude reaffirmed readiness to improve the festival’s capacity towards global expectations.

She said 12th AFRIFF promises a captivating opening night with the exclusive premiere of ORAH, directed by Lonzo Nzekwe.

Ude noted that the closing night would be equally exciting as it would feature the highly- anticipated premiere of the inspirational movie “Breath of Life” , directed by BB Shashore and produced by Eku Edewor.

“We are inspired by the passion and dedication of filmmakers and film enthusiasts in Africa, and we are committed to providing a platform for their voices to be heard.

“This year, the theme is Indigenous to global 2.0, which is in continuation of last year’s theme, but I learnt a lot about how unready we are.

“In order to be very prepared, we expanded our panel, our judges, master classes to prepare us more for the global market.

“We are focused on improving capacity building, with industry partners and position the industry further for more opportunities. Next year will be Indigenous to Global 3.0 until we get it right”, she said.

Latasha Ngwube, Head of Media and Public Relations for 12th AFRIFF said that the festival would uncover new talents, create insider opportunities and screen hundreds of films for free.

“The world is coming to Nigeria as AFRIFF looks internally to strengthen and grow in preparation to take African stories made by Africans to the world.

“The AFRIFF jury boasts of local and international members headed by Stephen Dr. Love.

“Others are Abby Ajayi, Nicholas Weinstock, Geneva Wasserman, Wafa’a Celine Halawi, Greg Odutayo, Ranada Shepard, Tsitsi Dangaremgba and Nollywood greats, Kate Henshaw, Desmond Elliot, as well as Multichoice Nigeria’s Bisola Tejumola,” she said (NAN)

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