Lorenzo Menakaya shines at Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival 2024

Nigerian filmmaker, actor, and radio personality, Lorenzo Menakaya, demonstrated his exceptional leadership once again as the festival manager at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) 2024. Menakaya, who has held this key role since the festival’s inception five years ago, played a crucial role in making this year’s event one of its most successful editions yet.

The festival kicked off with a lively display of cultural dances and masquerade parades, followed by the traditional breaking of the kolanut by legendary actor Pete Edochie. The opening film, The Man Died, an adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s powerful prison memoir, set an impressive tone for the festival, drawing significant attention to the rich narrative of African storytelling.

Menakaya’s role didn’t stop at managing the festival; he hosted the question and answer sessions and also the awards ceremony, where filmmakers were honoured in several categories, including Best Short Film, Best Feature Film, and Best Director. Special recognition was given to winners of the European Union Short Film Competition and the Impact Lab Documentary Grant, with winners receiving cash prizes for their outstanding work in filmmaking.

As a juror for both the European Union Short Film Competition and the Impact Lab Documentary Grant, Menakaya’s expertise was crucial in selecting the deserving winners. His dedication to promoting and supporting filmmakers continues to be a hallmark of his career.

The ENIFF team, led by co-founders Ujuaku Akukwe, who also serves as the festival director, and Chris Odili, continues to strengthen the festival’s reputation as a key platform for showcasing African talent on the global stage. Menakaya’s contributions have helped solidify the festival’s reputation as one of the leading platforms for African filmmakers to showcase their work.

Menakaya’s impressive track record extends beyond ENIFF. In 2022, he hosted the Africa Cinema Business Roundtable at the University of Oxford, organized by the Africa Film Academy, and has been a regular host for high-profile events such as TEDx Enugu in both 2022 and 2024.

Additionally, Menakaya produced the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) from 2020 to 2022 and was invited as a film journalist to cover the Sundance Film Festival in London in 2022. Lorenzo Menakaya’s ongoing contributions to the Nigerian and African film industries continue to make a significant impact, and his contribution to ENIFF remains vital to the festival’s growing influence on the global stage.