Hollywood writer’s strike. Photo: USAToday

Hollywood Writers end five month old strike
There is good news coming from Hollywood. Writers — members of the Writers Guild of America have officially ended their five-month strike after five marathon days of talk with the leadership of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The writers’ union leaders approved an agreement made with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and they resumed work on September 27, while the full details of the new contract will be sent to union members for ratification. Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since May 2023 and for the first time in 15 years amid stalled negotiations with major studios. Writers argued they were receiving worse pay and less stable work in the online-streaming era. The union also demanded additional protections around studios’ use of artificial intelligence. While a number of late-night and daytime television shows are expected to return to the air quickly, most TV and film productions cannot yet resume as the actors’ strike is still under way. We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines,” SAG-AFTRA President, Fran Drescher, said in July. If the strike by members of the Screen Actors Guild continues, it will affect the production and release schedule of films for the most part of the year.

Excitement builds up for AFRIFF 2023
The excitement is building up for the 2023 edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). The festival holds between November 5 and 10 at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. Filmmakers, industry professionals and movie enthusiasts eagerly anticipate AFRIFF, which is known for celebrating African cinema and promoting original storytelling. This year, the AFRIFF, which has continued to be a beacon for emerging and established filmmakers across the continent has announced a groundbreaking initiative- the Script to Screen Project, aimed at empowering filmmakers and enhancing creative capacity, particularly in screenwriting. Founder and Festival Director Chioma Ude stated that AFRIFF is set to transform the landscape of African cinema with the programme. Ude also stated that the 2023 edition would celebrate African cinema, embrace diverse storytelling and provide a platform for emerging and established filmmakers alike. “It promises to be an unforgettable celebration of African cinema. From heartwarming dramas to thought-provoking narratives and captivating animations, we shall like previous editions of AFRIFF, showcase the creative genius of filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora.” Also, Ude disclosed that AFRIFF would partner the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) to empower filmmakers. “Through its creative Africa nexus programme, we intend to empower filmmakers and writers alike. The script to screen intervention is a year-long incubator, capacity development, and content creation acceleration programme. It aims to enhance the abilities of African creatives to produce high-quality screen content and facilitates valuable networking opportunities with international studios and streamers.” AFRIFF has garnered a reputation as the most vibrant festival experience in Africa. Over the years, hundreds of films showcased at the festival have received critical acclaim and reached global audiences. Over 500,000 film enthusiasts from around the world, participated physically and virtually at the 2022 edition, which was the 10th anniversary. The 2023 edition is themed, ‘Africans for Africa’ and it emphasizes the power of storytelling in building global bridges and fostering understanding.

All set for 2023 Abuja International Film Festival
The organisers of Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) have said arrangements are set for the 20th edition of the event. Festival Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelis Duker, announced it would hold in Abuja from October 30 to November 3, 2023. The festival features screening of films in a wide spectrum of genres, including Features, Shorts, Documentary, Experimental, Student, and Animation films. To be held under the theme ‘Beyond Borders: Globalization and the Film Industry’ Duker stated that the theme was chosen to reveal opportunities and challenges inherent in global digital film arena of which Nigeria is a major player. Hailed as the longest-running film festival in Anglophone West Africa, the AIFF received a total of 1, 800 films from 87 countries, while about 102 films and filmmakers respectively made the final selection for the 2023 edition. Festival director, Temitope Duker, who spoke on activities lined up for the festival, emphasised that the regulars like screenings, master classes, panel discussions, parties and the grand event of the closing night, where honors will go to deserving films and filmmakers will feature this year. “Also listed for this year’s event is a short film completion for young and aspiring filmmakers on hygiene and it is sponsored by HYPO bleach,” Duker said, adding that some of the films this year have thematic content on gender and social issues from various countries including Nepal, Poland, USA, South Africa, India, China, Jordan, Canada, Tanzania, Brazil, Egypt and Nigeria amongst several others.