Uyo set to host international theatre, film festival

Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State is set to host Nigeria’s first ever theatre and film festival. The event holds from November 8 to 10, 2018.

Themed New Talent, New Technology in Theatre and Film Practice, the objective of the festival is to serve as a premier platform for increasing development in indigenous performing and media arts in Akwa Ibom State, thereby impacting positively on the economy of the state as well as promoting Akwa Ibom State tourism and hospitality to the world, said the organisers.

According to Charles Ukpong, who functions as the Festival Manager/Curator, “while also serving as a major hub for creatives in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general, Uyo Theatre And Film Festival (UTAFF) is equally aimed at celebrating the prevalent symbiosis and influences of multi-faceted African theatre and the phenomenal Nollywood.”

Also speaking, co-founder and Festival Director, Victor Thompson, said, “the three-day event features training, workshop, panel discussion, film screening, theatre performances and awards.”

UTAFF 2018 holds at four different venues in Uyo: Silverbird Cinema, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Council for Arts and Culture and Akwa Ibom State University.

A foremost Akwa Ibom female filmmaker, Emem Isong, will be celebrated at the maiden edition of the festival with her film Ayamma headlining the opening screening of the festival. A command performance of Kasala – a theatrical piece directed by Thompson will also open the theatre performances at this year’s festival.

The filmmaker and broadcast engineer, Dr. Don Pedro Agbonifo-Obaseki, will give the keynote while Fidelis Duker, Ekpenyong Bassey-Inyang aka Keppy, Adedayo Thomas, DG NFVCB, Hussein Shaibu, Emem Isong, the President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Israel Eboh; Moses Eskor, Dr Ofonime Inyang are expected to speak at the festival.

His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is expected to flag off the festival as the Special Guest of Honour. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Uno Etim Uno would support him.

NFVCB, Akwa Ibom State Hotel and Tourism Board, NANTAP and GOND endorse UTAFF.