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| Duker |
129 films
from world film makers will screen at the 2019 edition of Abuja International
Film Festival starting from 22- 25 October 2019.
South Africa
which features in AIFF over the years was banned from this year’s edition due to
xenophobia against Africans including Nigerians.
All the
festival events including the workshops, seminars and master classes and
parties hold at the Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja
The 16 years
old film festival considered by many as the catalyst to the growth of film
entertainment in the Nigeria’s capital city began September 25th 2004.
Festival Director
Fidelis Duker says “This is the 16th edition of the Abuja international film
festival that started in 2004 and we have consistently kept to upholding the
global standards of film festivals.
“This year, the
festival will feature screenings of 129 films from 56 countries over 4 days.
The films cut across different genres. The festival will have its conventional
panel discussions and workshops and masterclasses. The festival will not
devoid of its regular industry parties.
“Normally film
festivals follow a normal pattern of screenings and discussions. but we
are bringing a twist to it this time around with two masterclasses in script
development and acting.
ON BAN ON SOUTH AFRICA
"South African films will not feature this year, Next year is another time. Reason is obvious. You remember the Xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans.
ON BAN ON SOUTH AFRICA
"South African films will not feature this year, Next year is another time. Reason is obvious. You remember the Xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans.
FUNDING
Duker decries
the lack of funding fr the festival since inception especially frm FCT which
benefits from its tourism pecks. According to him “Like most events and projects ... funding has
been a challenge for us and I can confirm we have been under this global
challenge affecting the festival circuit. However I can confirm we have
devised creative ways of surmounting this challenge. I can also confirm
we have not received any major support from the FCT even though the festival
has been endorsed by the FCT
TOURISM VISTA
"At
inception, the idea was to give young filmmakers a platform to exhibit
their films because before the Abuja International film festival, there
was no platform for them, no one saw their films and we decided to give
them such a platform. Also prior to 2004, Abuja was only about
politics....no form of entertainment and we were able to bring filmmakers to
Abuja and 16 years down the line, the film industry has grown tremendously in
abuja with vibrant film industry.
SO FAR SO GOOD
"Interestingly
the city has several cinemas which were non existent 16 years ago. I
think we have been able to achieve some of our objectives. The festival
has also attracted tourists in good numbers. The festival has contributed in
opening the entertainment and creative industry space to talents in Abuja and
beyond. We have contributed to developing the tourism landscape in Abuja.
Talent discovery has been one of our major achievements. So many young
filmmakers debuted at Abuja International film festival and are today some of
the best in the industry today. In short we have contributed to building
capacity and talent for the industry
Good job
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