Entertainment
By Anayo Ezugwu
THE Eko International Film Festival has announced plans to celebrate its 10th edition in style. The organisers of the film festival said the event would hold from March 10 to 14 2020 in Lagos.
Speaking at a world press conference in Lagos, Hope Opara, founder, Eko International Film Festival, said they would be using this year’s festival to focus on tourism. He said the festival would also give opportunities to upcoming movie producers in the country to showcase their talents to the world.
To consolidate its efforts in the last 10 years, Opara disclosed that they are accepting entries from all over the world. According to him, so far they have received entries from more than 75 countries. “This festival is under estimated in the country, but it is doing a lot to promote Nigerian films across the globe.
“It is also an opportunity for local filmmakers to compete with their pears in other countries. In entries we have received so far, Nigeria is leading, followed by America, Germany, China, Russia, among others. We have more awards for indigenous films more than any other category. This will promote the efforts of our producers,” he said.
On his part, Chidi Nwokeabia, director of the festival, used the opportunity of the press conference to thank the Lagos State Government for supporting the festival in the last nine years. He called on the federal government and other state governments to be involved in the creative industry as a means of creating jobs for Nigerian youths.
“The festival is on the cultural calendar of the Lagos State ministry of arts and culture. We are discussing with them for more support in this our 10th anniversary because we want more collaboration with them,” he said.
The mission of Eko International Film Festival is to promote the appreciation of arts and culture through the motion picture, arts and sciences and increase tourism in Nigeria. The film festival is open to filmmakers from around the world and it also contributes to Nigeria being positioned as a creative hub through its focus on high quality, Nigerian cinema.
– Sept. 18, 2019 @ 15:47 GMT |
Tags: Eko International Film Festival announces date for 10th anniversary
