TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nollywood

  • Nigerian film, ‘The Delivery Boy’ screens at Pan African Film Festival

    Nigerian film, ‘The Delivery Boy’ screens at Pan African Film Festival

    Award-winning film, ‘The Delivery Boy’ has screened at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF).

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PAFF, held from Feb. 12 to Feb. 23, is the U.S.’ largest gathering of black filmmakers, audiences and other stakeholders from around the world.

    The film’s director, Adekunle ‘Nodash’ Adejuiyigbe represented Nigeria at the festival where the film screened multiple times and earned rave reviews.

    ‘The Delivery Boy’ is the story of a runaway teenage suicide bomber (Jammal Ibrahim) and his newfound ally, a young prostitute (Jemima Osunde) who must rely on each other to survive the night.

    They search for answers to situations that made them who they are. They are both running out of time and soon realise they need each other to achieve their goals.

    Their journey takes them through the underbelly of the city exposing the hidden backside of the African society and its dangerous culture of silence in the presence of evil.

    NAN reports that ‘The Delivery Boy’ snagged the ‘Beat Achievement in Visual Effects’ award at the 2019 African Movie Academy Award (AMAA).

    The film, which earned 12 AMAA nominations, is the story of a runaway teenage suicide bomber (Jammal Ibrahim) and his newfound ally, a young prostitute (Jemima Osunde), who must rely on each other to survive the night.

    They search for answers to situations that made them who they are. They are both running out of time and soon realise they need each other to achieve their goals.

    The film has screened around the world in various festivals including the 25th New York African Film Festival, Lights, Camera, Action Film Festival and Nollywood Week Paris.

    ‘The Delivery Boy’ also screened at Jagran International Film Festival, Lake International Pan African Film Festival, Real Time International Film Festival and won Best Nigerian Film at the 2018 AFRIFF Globe Awards.

    NAN also reports that the film received accolades as part of the films that represented Nigerian cinema at the Carthage Film Festival, Tunisia in 2019.

  • Reps to work with movie directors on Nollywood devt

    Reps to work with movie directors on Nollywood devt

    The House of Representatives has expressed its willingness to partner the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, to enhance its performance in the entertainment sector and boost government revenue.

    The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that the Nigerian film industry had come a long way, adding that all well-meaning Nigerians, especially government at all levels, should support it for the betterment of the country.

    The Speaker made this known when he received a delegation of the Movie Directors Guild of Nigeria in his office in Abuja on Monday.

    A statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, quoted Gbajabiamila as assuring the DGN delegation that he would talk to the Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism to get in touch with relevant agencies to allow movie producers to use their facilities whenever there was such a need.

    The Speaker also suggested an academy of performing arts where the government would be fully involved.

    “You should work out a template and liaise with the relevant committees. If you set up something like that, government will generate revenue. We have too many talents in Nigeria that should not waste away.”

    In the same vein, the President of the DGN, Fred Amata, said they were in the Speaker’s office to ask for his support and presence during the guild’s forthcoming 20th anniversary, which would involve a novelty match with Gbajabiamila’s team.

    In his remark, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, called on the movie producers to portray Nigeria’s security agencies in a good light at this time of security challenges.

    On his part, Desmond Elliot an actor and politician said there was a need for partnership between the House and the creative industry.

     

  • Sex for job has wrecked many in Nollywood – Yul Edochie

    Sex for job has wrecked many in Nollywood – Yul Edochie

    Outspoken role interpreter, Yul Edochie has urged actors in Nollywood to stop demanding for sexual gratification before offering movie roles.

    The actor, in a tweet on Tuesday, condemned the act, saying it has ‘wrecked many men’.

    “I condemn sex for jobs completely. If na ur way, hear this advice. If you promise a girl a job in exchange for sex, once she gives you make sure you do not fail her. If she swear for you, your own don finish. This matter has wrecked many men especially Nollywood practitioners,” he said.

     

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Edochie had stated that there is no love in Nolywood back in 2018.

    According to him:”They say there’s no love in Nollywood. I laugh. Brethren there’s no love anywhere, not only in Nollywood. The world is tough, it’s a jungle out here. My advice: Don’t wait for anyone to love you, love yourself, help yourself. Work hard, pray & do what’s right in the sight of God,” he tweeted.

     

  • Artiste fee not a sustainable remuneration in Nollywood- Gideon Okeke

    Artiste fee not a sustainable remuneration in Nollywood- Gideon Okeke

    Outspoken actor, Gideon Okeke has shared his views on the box office numbers accrued in recent times from Nollywood movies in the cinemas.

    Okeke stated that artiste fee is not a sustainable remuneration in Nollywood, adding that film-making is a collaborative sport.

     

    According to him: “Nollywood and the ever growing scam of “500 million” scam in the opening week. While this is a beautiful and welcome development, please also quote to the fans how those numbers accrue or equate to residuals, royalties or back end, in favour of the actor whose face sells the picture.Artiste fee is not a sustainable remuneration for the performer within the business module run by Nollywood”, he wrote on Instagram.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B63BlEFlBHW/

    Continuing, he wrote:” They need your talent to fulfill their rather clandestine goals but forget to fulfil your own monetary goals when they rake in the box office numbers.Wait! They think we came here to be popular? Some of us saved money and went to school for this.When next you see me perform in Film, Theatre or TV, I challenge you to pay Maximum RESPECT to whoever it is I chose to bubble with”

    His statement has generated a myriad of reactions from fans on social media.

     

     

  • Don preaches against nudity in Nigerian films

    Prof. Abdulrasheed Adeoye of the Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin on Friday advised Artistic-Directors in the Nigerian film industry against promoting nudity in films.

    Adeoye made the call in his paper presentation at the 186th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin entitled:”Poetics of Legislation and De-Legislation on play Directing”.

    He said that in the post-colonial age, flaws remained a combatant or combination of illusion and the performing artists are not exempted.

    According to him, this is so because nudism sells and indecent dressing through body exploitation brings money to some performing artists.

    He stated that his studies on films showed that artistic directors who placed economic gain above other positive issues allowed the pressure from producers to override their beliefs.

    He said that studies also showed there was dislike for actors and actresses who often act nude, half-nude or dress indecently.

    “The culture of copying bad Western tendencies and behaviours should be discouraged,” he said.

    The expert in performing art also pointed out that theatre could be used as a critical conveyor of culture because of its universality.

    “Performing artists as philosophers of revolution and reality can use theatre to show societal ills such as armed militias, indiscriminate killing, Boko Haram insurgency, corruption, maladministration, unemployment and anti-democratic tendencies.

    “The aim is to bring desired change. The performing artists are expected to use the current local, national and international issues for artistic creation, direction and production of performances,” he said.

    Adeoye urged Performing and Theatre Arts Departments to include the multicultural society in the country to their art plays to foster unity and cohesion.

  • I am yet to make money from movie production- Dayo Amusa

     

    Sensational actress and filmmaker, Dayo Amusa has lamented over not making money from Nollywood even after shooting 12 movies.

     

    Amusa in an interview with The Sun said that she does other things that generate money for her but however expressed hope of making money from Nollywood someday.

    “I do a lot of things that generate money for me. I have always done business even before I came into Nollywood and I am still in business. I came into Nollywood as an actress before becoming a movie producer and to date, I have shot 12 movies and still counting. Truth be told, I have not made money from Nollywood yet. After 12 movies I have not made the kind of money that I should make but I know I will make it. You see, there is a difference between making a huge profit and then, just getting your money back on your investment. I haven’t broken even” she said.

     

    She also noted that her major challenge is that her movies are not yet being shown in cinemas.

    “I love doing good movies and putting up good content. I think my major challenge now is that my movies are not showing in all cinemas in the country like I hoped and it saddens me. Their excuse is that my movies are indigenous and the titles are local but I am like ‘we get to watch foreign movies indigenous to different parts of the world yet subtitled and these movies are been shown in our cinemas so I ask the question ‘why can’t we encourage our local content?’ I want to believe that even if a movie is 100 per cent indigenous, that does not stop it from showing in cinemas as long as the movie is well subtitled.

    “It has greatly affected me as an independent film maker, I do most of my productions from my purse. It is not like I get grants and it really eats moviemakers up when we don’t get the opportunity to showcase what we have.

    “Even if they feel we are not getting it right, there is a way they can inform us that this is what you need to achieve this and that. But they just label it local content, indigenous this and indigenous that, giving what we do all sorts of names but the fact is, when you preview a job and story wise you have it, picture wise you have it, quality wise and artistic whatever you have it, then why the barrier? Why can’t such a movie be seen in all cinemas across Nigeria.

    “But they are giving excuses that when cinema going audiences hear the title, they will not like it. Who says so? Yes, a title could have a very positive impact on a production but a title is a title, be it local or English or what have you. An indigenous title cannot stop a good film from flying at the box office,” she adds with emphasis.

  • Young actresses sometimes attend auditions without wearing bra- Lorna Onuoha Oparaugo

    Young actresses sometimes attend auditions without wearing bra- Lorna Onuoha Oparaugo

    Rising actress, Lorna Onuoha Oparaugo has shared her opinion on the trend of sexual harassment in Nollywood. The actress who has starred in movies like ‘Oga at the top’,‘Sexy ladies cult’ and others noted that at times young actresses put themselves in positions where they will become victims of sexual harassment.

    Speaking in a chat with TheNewsGuru, she said: ”When we talk about sexual harassment; people’s minds race to the act of men harassing women or girls That is not always the case in Nollywood.

    You see young beautiful women who believe that the only way to get good roles in Nollywood is by throwing themselves at movie producers and directors. Male movie- directors and producers are daily being harassed on casting-ground and on set. I have organised auditions fronting my male colleagues as the producers; you wouldn’t believe what the disciplined ones go through. Some of these young girls attend auditions with no bras-on, exposing their nakedness and all.”

     

    Speaking further, Lorna who is also a scriptwriter noted that giving sex to get movie roles is unacceptable.

    “A director at had to show one of such irresponsibly-dressed girl the door during audition. Truth is, Nollywood has gotten to a point where professionalism speaks volume. I therefore respect directors who understand the business of professionalism as some of them will even sleep with the loose ones, take their money and still give the role to another who can deliver.

    “The idea that sleeping with directors or producers will get you a good role even as a novice is an illusion. You had better have a re- think. No professional producer or director would want to lose his or her money over a mere fling. My point is, know your onion, work hard, be patient and don’t give-up; Your time will come”

     

     

  • Nollywood: Stakeholders laud organisers of Abuja Film Festival

    Nollywood: Stakeholders laud organisers of Abuja Film Festival

    Stakeholders in the creative industry and relevant agencies of government have extolled organisers of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) for steadfastness in holding the annual fiesta for 16 years.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the opening night of the 2019 and 16th edition of the festival holding at the Silverbird Galleria from Oct. 22 to 25.

    Dr Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), extolled the AIFF for its role over the years, in bringing together film stakeholders from both within and outside the country, which has created more markets for Nigerian films.

    Maduekwe noted that as the Nigerian film industry grows, it needed to be promoted as a viable investment option to both local and the international business communities, and film festivals were veritable platforms to be used.

    “We are aware of the tremendous impact of the Nigerian film industry on the economy of the nation, Africa and indeed around the world.

    “The enormous impact of our film industry needs to be further strengthened through Film Festivals, which AIFF has done over these 16 years,” he said.

    Also, Mr Suleman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, lauded the organisers for holding on to the annual motion picture fiesta, adding that “AIFF has made the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) a choice film destination”.

    “I must congratulate the organisers for holding unto this vision for the past 16 years and for the contribution the festival has made to the film industry and our economy.”

    Adamu, who earlier declared the festival opened, said there was need for stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors to identify with the AIFF.

    Mr Emmanuel Eyaba, Chairman FCT Chapter of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), said: “AIFF is an annual event that brings filmmakers, actors and other stakeholders together in Abuja and we are proud of it.

    “The organisers need to be commended for making for this amazing platform available in the last 16 years,” he said.

    Mrs Temitope Duker, Festival Director, in her opening remarks, said the festival was started to replicate what was happening in other developed climes with established film festivals to strengthen the fast evolving Nollywood.

    “We have pioneered the film festival circuit in Nigeria, starting 16 years ago without a single cinema screen in the city of Abuja, unlike today where the city can boost of over 30 screens.

    “Before this time, the number of films shot in the city was less than two annually but today the AIFF can conveniently say Abuja has become a major film hub for filmmakers in Nigeria,” she said.

    The festival director explained that films submission were made from over 54 countries for this year’s AIFF, adding that 16 categories of awards would also be given during the closing ceremony and award night.

    She added that the festival would feature master classes, seminars, panel discussions and awards for films, actors and other stakeholders nominated for the AIFF awards.

    NAN reports that Abuja International Film Festival, which is organised by NAFIFO Ventures Ltd, started in 2004.

    It is a platform where films, actors, producers within and outside Nigeria are showcased to foster interactions for co-production, distribution and investments.

    The festival is affiliated to the Durban International Film Festival, Dahlegona International Film Festival, Georgia International Film Festival, Commonwealth International Film Festival and other renowned Film Festivals.

  • Sex-for-roles rampant in Nollywood – Yul Edochie

    Sex-for-roles rampant in Nollywood – Yul Edochie

    Actor, Yul Edochie has exposed the Nollywood industry, saying that some actresses engaged in sex in order to get better roles.

    Edochie was reacting to sex for grade story by the BBC which exposed some lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana.

    He said sex for grade was not only in higher institution, but there are sex for roles in Nollywood, sex for promotion in offices, among others.

    “No be only #sexforgrades ‘dey oo,’ there’s sex for roles in Nollywood, sex for promotion in offices. ‘E dey everywhere. I hope they’ll all be exposed,” he wrote on his twitter handle.

    In the BBC’s report, a senior lecturer, Dr Boniface Igbeneghu from the faculty of Arts, a former sub – dean in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the head of a local Foursquare Gospel Church was caught harassing a female student sexually, promising good grades in return. This truth came to bare after 9 months of interviews with current and former students.

    The secret investigation took more than a year by BBC, which has been secretly filming the University of Lagos and that of Ghana. In UNILAG, Dr Boniface was caught on camera telling his victim to ”Switch off the light, lock the door and I’ll kiss you for one minute”
    Several students had alleged that they have been harassed by Dr Boniface, which made BBC send an undercover journalist to him, posing as a 17 year old secondary school graduate seeking admission, of which he fell like a pack of cards.

    However in Ghana, Dr Paul Kwame Butako from the College of Education was the culprit discovered after female students pointed him out in series of interviews. An undercover journalist who posed as a final year student, interested in doing masters was then sent to him and he also did not escape same fate that befell his colleague in Lagos.

  • FG will ensure fair deal for Nollywood actors —SGF

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Government would ensure that Nollywood actors get a fair deal from their trade.

    Mustapha stated this at the grand finale of a stage play titled “Agbarho The Musical”, produced by 30-year-old Patrick Otoro, on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said the proprietary rights of Nollywood actors needed to be protected by the government so that they can derive maximum return from their artistic endeavours.

    “One of the things that government has to do is to make sure that their rights are protected because that is why they loose a lot of money. There are a lot of leakages in the process in terms of people pirating their products.

    ”Nollywood in the African continent and even in the world is thriving and big industry. But the actors and actresses, do they receive commiserate benefit from the kind of work they do?”

    “They are not getting value for their output. They train very hard, they perform very well but at the end of the day, what gets to them is peanuts.

    “The industry will have to restructure itself in such a way that there will be capable and competent managers that will manage their artists. All of these must be put in place so that whenever talent is exhibited, it will be protected.

    The Senior Manager, Programme Implementation, MTN Nigeria, Mr Abasi-Ekong Udobang, said part of the network’s Corporate Social Responsibility included youth empowerment, mother and child healthcare as well as arts and culture.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stage play was sponsored by MTN Foundation and other stakeholders.

    He disclosed that it was important for MTN to continue to invest in arts and culture, especially theatre so as to make it vibrant in the country.

    Otoro, a veteran actor in the Nigerian movie industry, stated that the essence of the stage play was to promote arts and culture in the FCT and specially to develop theatre culture.

    He explained that the storyline was about the female gender relating to the conspiracy of silence that women deal with in today’s world.

    “We can change the narrative. So we are using the arts, particularly this story, and one of my reasons is to use this story to tell about the female gender,” he said.

    The veteran actor thanked all the stakeholders that contributed to the successful staging of the play.

    The play showcased dance, music, love, thrill, suspense and diversity of the Nigerian culture.