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New
York, New York, August 26, 2005: 1st Nigerian International Film
Festival Takes off in New York. In attendance were Hollywood, Bollywood,
and Nollywood icons including Danny Glover, Kingsley Ogoro, and
some Nigerian actors based in Nigeria as well as those based in the
United States of America. Also in attendance were Ambassador Adekanye
and Consul General of Nigeria among numerous film industry
personalities.
Several other African films are billed to be screened during the month
long festival. The festival will also feature panel discussions and
question and answer sessions. It will last for four days - August
26, 2005 through August 29, 2005 at the National Black Theater.
Tony
Abulu, President of FAN, USA.
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ATTENDEES
network during the break for Dinner at the Nigerian House in
Manhattan, New York
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Opening Day: Recognition and introduction of Film stars and
filmmakers from both Nigeria and United States, from Hollywood to
"Nollywood." After the opening prayer, MC, Bello Osagie invited a couple of speakers to the podium. They included Hollywood Star
Danny Glover, Consul General of Nigeria, Dr. F. Ralf Aderele, and Tony
Abulu - President of FAN, USA organizers of the event (in conjunction
with Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria). Dinner was later served
before Professor Chudi Uwazuruike mounted the podium to deliver the keynote
address of the evening. He called on all Nigerian filmmakers to unite
and organize themselves so the growing industry will not fall back like
many other industries before it around the world. The festival continues, Saturday August 27 from 12noon at the National Black Theater
in Harlem, New York. Some of the films billed for screening during the
four day festival includes films produced in the United States such as
the new hot flick THIS AMERICA (written by Oliver Mbamara and Directed
by Bethels Agomuoh), BACK TO AFRICA (Written and Directed by Tony
Abulu), 419; THE STALK EXCHANGE (written and Directed by Don Okolo. Some
other films include OSUOFIA IN LONDON, and some other films produced in
Nigeria such as GAMES WOMEN PLAY, and more. The festival rounds off on Monday
August 30, 2005 with a distributors networking program.
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Producer/Director,
Kingsley Ogoro (left) and former Miss Nigeria beauty Queen and actress,
Regina Askia
Professor Chudi
Uwazuruike delivers the keynote address
Oliver Mbamara
(right) of THIS AMERICA and SLAVE WARRIOR fame with Olayemi Akinsiun
Tony Abulu
(left) and Bethels Agomuoh (right) of THIS AMERICA
Felix Nnorom of
"This America."
MC, Bello Osagie
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Some of the
members of the Diplomatic Corps and other dignitaries take pose
Filmmakers chat
and intermingled during the break
Rabiu Mohammed
(2nd left) Tai Balofin, Publisher of African Eye, Caroline Okolo, Regina
Askia, and
others at the event.
Tunde
Alabi (left), Caroline Okolo
(2nd Right), FAN Director of operations with other Filmmakers and Dignitaries at
the event.
Consul General
Aderele
Ms.
Black Rose
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