…as ancient city readies for thespians, movie lovers, investors, others
By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
The maiden edition of the Edo State International Film Festival, which is slated to hold from September 1-4, 2022, has received for screening, 1,551 movie entries from movie makers in 94 countries.
This was disclosed on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 by the Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, during a press conference at Government House, Benin City, the State capital.
Welcoming journalists to the well-attended media event, a visibly elated Mrs. Dare said: “We are here today to explain the scope of the Edo State International Film Festival which is being hosted by the Edo State Government, and it’s a project that has been a long time coming.
“I am glad that the guilds’ heads are here today; because for so many years this is something that we’ve been discussing with the people in the industry to say it is important for the Edo State government to support the industry in Edo State by hosting a film festival.
“We want the public to know that the Edo State International Film Festival has successfully received movie entries, 1,551 movies as entries for the festival which have come from 94 different countries of the world.”
Also speaking during the press conference, the Festival Director, Mr. Davidson Izegaegbe, said the festival is geared towards boosting the film industry in the State, and gave details on the master classes that are going to take place during the festival.
“We know that entertainment is taking centre stage around the world and even in Nigeria, we don’t want to be left out. That’s exactly what we are set to achieve.
“In doing that, we are also bringing international film makers who will be having various classes with would-be film makers and even those who are already in the practice, so that they can enhance their jobs.
“We will be having master classes in film directing, acting, business in film making which is actually the core and why film makers are involved in film making.”
Commenting on the anticipated gains of the festival, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affair, Prince Bamidele Obaitan, said it would provide the opportunity to reinforce the Edo story.
He added: “For the longest time, our stories and our narratives have been told by foreigners. This is not just a film festival for the sake of having a film festival.
“We are now embarking on a journey that will allow us to control our narrative; we will tell our story to the world; and we, especially Edo and our rich culture, are now marketing ourselves to the world as it should be. We need to sell the positives of our State, of our culture to the world.”
The highpoint of the conference was the unveiling of the logo of the festival by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs.
Also in attendance was the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie; representatives of the festival’s sponsors and partners as well as representatives of various media houses.
