The Zuma Film Festival, Nigeria’s 3rd National Film Festival, was a true celebration of the country’s creative spirit, held from 13 to 15 March at the Le Meridien Hotel in Abuja.
The festival provided a platform for stakeholders to come to terms with the state of their industry and how to move “Nollywood” ahead in the coming years.
Among the festival’s many highlights was a film exhibition aptly called FilmX (free screenings of the best of Nigerian films) and workshops including the Film Business Forum, the African Co-production Forum (organised by the Sithengi Film and TV Market of South Africa together with the Nigerian Film Corporation), and the Film Legal Clinic.
The NFC/Sithengi co-production workshop was anchored by Sithengi’s Michael Auret and SA scriptwriter/producer Brent Quinn. The series of talks prompted full houses, as speakers shared their knowledge about the process of scriptwriting.
Among other international participants who graced Zuma was Cameron Bailey of the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada, who donated films and books to the Nigerian Film Institute in Jos, Plateau State.
Top Nigerian filmmakers were present at Zuma, such as Zack Amata, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Steve Gukas, Femi Odugbemi, Mahmood Alli-Balogun, Tunde Oloyede, Tunde Kelani, Brendan Shehu (OON), Eddie Ugboma (OON), Fred Chagu and Madu Chikwendu.
Papers delivered included “Evolving Standard Distribution and Marketing Structure for Nigerian movies” by Dr Don Pedro Obaseki; “Making better Nigerian movies and making more profit” by Femi Odugbemi; “Nigerian movies and their audience” by
Emman Oga; and “Preserving the harvest of our creative spirit: The Role of Film Archives” by Nwanneka Okonkwo.
Winners were announced at the closing ceremony, which was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Frank Nweke (Jnr).
Best Feature – Ninety Degrees by Mak Kusare
Best Documentary – Bar Beach Blues by Femi Odugbemi
Best Animation/Cartoon – Falling In Line by Mike-Steve
Adeleye Best Student Film/Video – Fate by Peace Dandaura
Best Short Film/Video – Claws of the Lion by Francis Onwochei
Best Director – Mak Kusare in Ninety Degrees
Best Actor – Chidi Ukwu in Prince of the Savannah
Best Actress – Edyth Jane Ayalogu in Living Dead
Best screenplay – Heritage by Ebereonwu and many others.
This report was written by Steve Dachomo.
