Lagos is gearing up to host the 8th edition of the Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) from October 2nd to 6, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. This year’s theme, “The Shifting: Empowering voices… inspiring minds,” promises to showcase the dynamic changes in Africa’s creative landscape and the transformative power of storytelling, according to a statement.
The five-day festival, founded by Mrs Gbemi Shasore, who is the CEO of Quramo, will bring together a diverse array of writers, filmmakers and creatives from across Africa and beyond. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State’s Honorable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, will inaugurate the event, while Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, is set to deliver a goodwill message at the closing ceremony.
QFest 2024 offers an eclectic mix of panel discussions, masterclasses, film screenings, book presentations, and cultural exchanges. The programme is designed to cater to various interests and skill levels within the creative community.
Day one kicks off with a focus on wellbeing, featuring Oyin Talabi’s session on nurturing creative energy. Aspiring writers can look forward to masterclasses on speculative fiction with Mazi Nwonwu and grant writing with Linda Bembatoum. Sam Onyemelukwe of Trace TV will lead a session on business structure for creatives, providing practical insights for success in the industry.
The festival’s second day begins with a unique sound healing session for creatives, led by Ọbáfèyìkémi. Jumoke Coker will demystify copyright and intellectual property issues, while Doris Ariole partners with White Harvest to explore writing inspirational stories that resonate globally. In collaboration with SONY, cinematographer Akin Alabi will share expertise with emerging filmmakers. The day concludes with a screening of Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory, written and produced by Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, and directed by the renowned Tunde Kelani, celebrating Wole Soyinka’s legacy.
Friday’s lineup features the official opening ceremony, book presentations, and the QCommand Challenge – a spirited literary debate between local schools. The Nigerian Bestsellers List panel will offer insights into the publishing industry, while the evening culminates in an exciting Word Slam Contest with a ₦100,000 prize.
Saturday’s highlights include panels on Lagos’s changing landscape and book chats with emerging authors. QSpeaks will feature former Attorney General Olasupo Shasore discussing the soft power of creatives in driving social change. The day also includes a session on using photography for social impact and concludes with a screening of The Man Died, based on Wole Soyinka’s prison memoirs, followed by a Q&A with producer Femi Odugbemi.
The festival’s grand finale on Sunday will feature a Q Conversation with Obi Asika, director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture, offering insights into his journey as a creative industry leader. The much-anticipated unveiling of the Quramo Writers’ Prize 2024 winner will cap off the event.
Mrs Shasore, a key organiser, expressed enthusiasm for this year’s lineup: “QFest 2024 continues to be a vital platform for creatives to share, learn, and connect. We’re excited to showcase the depth and diversity of African storytelling across various mediums.”
The festival is expected to draw participants from across Nigeria and beyond, further cementing Lagos’s position as a cultural hub. With its focus on empowering voices and inspiring minds, QFest 2024 aims to catalyze new possibilities for the continent’s storytellers and creative industries.
Aspiring attendees are encouraged to visit www.quramo.com or follow @quramoofficial on Instagram for updates and registration information.
