The press conference to announce the 2019 edition of The Africa international film festival (AFRIFF) held yesterday at the Radisson Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The renowned festival which is hosting its 9th instalment is scheduled to hold from the 10-16th November, 2019 at the new landmark boulevard of the Filmhouse, Lagos.
The convener of the event, Miss Chioma Ude kicked off the proceedings with announcing the theme of this year’s event tagged, ‘Sheroes’ a commemoration of the growing role of women in the arts.
“This year’s training and workshops will be more female-centric, with a focus on training up to 60% of women,” she stated.
“We are also particular about social courses and will like to highlight that aspect this year.”
Representatives of the Sponsoring brands were given a chance to reiterate their continuous affiliation with the AFRIFF brand.
Russel Brooks , from the United States Consulate, announced their support this year with the hosting of a 4-day documentary film workshop designed to help Nigerians tell better stories.
He added that, “A country is better understood by its film, so we are creating opportunities for 25 budding film makers to learn film making techniques taught by world class facilitators around the world.
As a follow up, participants will be required to make standard movies afterwards to show the skills they developed during the workshop.
There was also announcement from other sponsors like nvivo TV, the Executive director of the national film and video censors board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Ken Tete from the centric group and Mechie Okowie from Access Bank.
This year’s edition boasts of an incredible line-up of amazing guests and speakers, alongside premium films and trainings.
Afriff has over the year trained over 2000 students and this year they hosted a film exchange programme with film makers visiting other countries to take in the culture and customs and create documentraries in the process.
The announcers revealed that opportunities for participants are open on the AFRIFF website with the registration deadline being mid October.
The creative director for the festival, Ms Chioma stated that, “This year we screened over 4,000 films and following the female-based theme, we are opening the festival with a movie titled, ‘For Sama’ by Waad Al-Kateab from Syria and closing with ‘The Ghost and the House of Truth’, by Akin Omotoso (Nigeria).
“We are also showing over 400 films from over 40 countries all through the festival week,” she concluded.
The announcement closed with an unveiling of this year’s industry sessions workshop. From a documentary film making Masterclass with Dr. Hurst, a Masterclass with Will Packer, producer of ‘Girls Trip’, David Leitch, director of‘Hobs & Shaw’ Director and Phillip Noyce, director of the movie ‘Salt,’ to an acting workshop by Hilda Dokubor, and a script writing and DSLR workshop.
To register for the event go to www.afriff.com
