AFRIFF Day 3: Connecting Africa through film and creating opportunities

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) continued on Tuesday with various sessions and clinics.

A lighting design masterclass facilitated by the Embassy of The United States held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos.

Clinic on co-financing and co-production 

Some delegates, meanwhile, gathered at the Eko Hotels and Suites for a high powered business clinic on co-financing and co-production opportunities with South Africa.

The clinic was facilitated by Mahmood Ali-Balogun, ‘Tango with Me’ director. Presentations were made by Zama Mkosi, chief executive officer of South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation, as well as representatives from the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission as both countries explored avenues for smoother collaborations.

Film Connections

At the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, the British Council presented the Film Connections, a project that seeks to increase partnerships between Nigeria and the UK.

Nadia Denton, who curated the films selected for the showcase, presented useful tips for filmmakers, preparing their strategies for hitting the international festivals circuit.

Victoria Thomas facilitated an interesting clinic on packaging and pitching African stories to the global film market. There was also a session by academics from the Universities of Portsmouth and Greenwich on recording sound and producing for television.

The British Council Film Connections was headlined by the documentary, ‘WHITNEY, can I be me’, the latest from acclaimed British director, Nick Broomfield.

Other films in the Film Connections selection include BAFTA winner, ‘Under the Shadow’, ‘The Hard Stop’, ‘A Moving Image’, ‘Robot & Scarecrow’, ‘Tower XYZ’ and ‘Mrs Bolanle Benson’.

Screenwriting and Canon DSLR classes

Over at the Afrinolly Studios in Oregun, the acting, screenwriting and Canon DSLR classes continued with mentors; Hilda Dokubo, Victor Sanchez Aghahowa and Leke Alabi-Isama.

At Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, the ultraviolent Haitian short film, ‘Kafou’, a bloody depiction of gang life and jungle justice in inner city streets got positive responses. So did the Moses Inwang directed Omotola Jalade Ekeinde star vehicle, ‘Alter Ego’. ‘The Whale Caller’ (South Africa), the big screen film adaptation of Zakes Mda’s fantastical novel, among other films.

Mildred Okwo, Funlola Aofiyebi Raimi, Lala Akindoju, Omoye Uzamere Abba T. Makama and C.J Obasi are some of the famous faces who participated.

See pictures from the event below.