Universal Awards holds November
The second edition of the Nigeria-domiciled Universal Movie Awards (UMA) will be held in Lagos on November 26.
The Founder and Chairman of the annual international award, Hope Obioma Opara, revealed that WBU aims to present a platform through which the Nigerian Nollywood film industry will welcome filmmakers from around the world.
“UNIMA’s main vision is to add value and creatively enrich the entertainment industry through excellent work in film and television,” said Opara, adding that the 2022 edition will feature activities such as workshops, a master class and an interactive industry session leading up to the awards night.
“The workshops will engage young men and women in a more meaningful way to look within to rediscover their potential. We look forward to the attendance of foreign guests including members of the diplomatic corps, our Nollywood film industry practitioners and all nominees in different categories and other local guests. We also look forward to partnerships with government and businesses, who can leverage our platform to showcase their products and build brand loyalty for their organization. In the first edition held in 2021, filmmakers from different countries around the world won prizes.
“Nigeria’s film Voiceless by Robert Peters won best film and best director, others are films from USA, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Brazil, Russia, Zambia and for Best Television Commercial,” Opara revealed, adding, “UMA is currently receiving entries for the various categories for the 2022 edition. The categories are Feature Films and Short Films. (subtitled in English), best TV commercial.”
NIFS names UK Country of Honor
The UK will be the featured country at the 2022 edition of the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS).
The NIFS is scheduled to be held in Lagos from August 29 to September 1. As the country of honour, the spotlight will be on Britain’s vibrant film and media industry.
NIFS Founder and CEO, Ijeoma Onah revealed that the UK Focus, which is supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), aims to specifically increase the level of creative and commercial collaboration between the UK and Nigeria, by especially the Nollywood industry. Onah also mentioned that the particular focus would be an opportunity to increase the visibility of British film professionals in the Nigerian film industry.
Giving more information about the spotlight Onah said that ”The UK spotlight will include a series of bespoke activities to promote the British film industry in Nigeria.
The range of activities aimed at drawing attention to the UK and promoting the UK as a country of honor will include well-tailored film industry roundtables which will explore the huge potential between the UK UK and Nigeria in the film sector”. Onah also said the activities will include a pitch session, a scriptwriting workshop and several networking events. Information about the NFIS can be obtained at www.nifsummit.com.
Submissions open for Creative Producer Indaba
SUBMISSIONS have been opened for the second Creative Producer Indaba, the professional development program offered by the Realness Institute, in partnership with EAVE, Rotterdam International Film Festival’s IFFR Pro and Marrakech International Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops .
The Creative Producer Indaba (CPI) offers 15 producers the opportunity to further develop their leadership and entrepreneurial production skills and develop their creative skills.
“Strong creative producers with connections to international funding serve as engines that can stimulate local media markets to grow, adapt and thrive.
Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the pool of skilled producers on the continent who can help grow our respective local markets and equip those producers with the skills, community and resources they need to grow and fund our stories.” , says Mehret. Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships, Realness Institute. The program includes plenary sessions and group work, unpacking successful case studies and having access to one-on-one meetings with mentors and guest experts.
As this is a producer-driven development program, the focus will be on project development and planning, financing, legal, public relations and marketing, advocacy and lobbying, organizational development, networking and leadership.
Kristen Trapp, CEO of EAVE, says, “Sharing knowledge drives progress and EAVE is a community committed to sharing experience and expertise to support and transform the business in a collaborative effort. He is proud to be a partner of Creative Producer Indaba for the second year to help foster a community of strong producers and industry leaders in Africa and build bridges on the continent as well as internationally. The program is anchored by two workshops.
The first workshop offers online sessions from November 9-12, 2022, followed by in-person sessions at Atlas workshops from November 14-17, 2022 during the Marrakech International Film Festival. Workshop Two has in-person sessions at the Rotterdam International Film Festival from January 26 to February 2, 2023. Full details can be found on the Realness Institute website; https://www.realness.institute/creative-producer-indaba.
The deadline for submission is August 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Central Africa Time.
