Afolayan’s mystery thriller, The CEO to premiere above sea level

History will be made today, June 1, 2016 as The CEO, the new pan-African film by notable filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan starring Grammy award winner, Angelique Kidjo, Wale Ojo and Jimmy Jean Louis in lead roles, will be premiered aboard an Air-France trip to Paris, France. It will be the first time any film by a Nigerian or African will debut on a scheduled flight.

It was an elated Afolayan who disclosed during the week that he had planned a “first-of-its-kind premiere of The CEO aboard an Air France flight.” In the words of Afolayan “the special June 1st premiere will begin with a red carpet show at the check-in counter of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport. There shall be the best of media coverage from partners such as Africa Magic and other broadcast and print media who have shown us tremendous support from the past.

“The fun continues with a cocktail party at the boarding gate. We will run a red carpet into the plane. Thereafter, the movie will be screened onboard the plane where other passengers will partake in the show. It is going to be a complete event show with the usual razzmatazz. Just imagine an After Party happening 35,000ft to 40,000ft above the sea level. It is sure going to be a unique experience.”

However on arrival in Paris, Afolayan hinted that guests of the onboard premiere will join moviegoers from different parts of the world to see the movie again as it has been scheduled as the opening film of the prestigious NollywoodWeek Paris, a film festival organized by the French-based association Okada Media, headed by Serge Noukoué and Nadira Shakur.

The other films in official selection for Nollywoodweek 2016 are Fifty by Biyi Bandele, Falling by Niyi Akinmolayan, The First Lady by Omoni Oboli, Stalker by Moses Inwang, Gbomo Gbomo Express by Walt Taylaur, Lunch Time Heroes by Seyi Babatope, and Taxi Driver by Daniel Oriahi. It was also announced that this year for the first time the festival would showcase a selection of short films. Seven short films have made the selection, which consists of Hex, Prey, Joy, The Encounter, Keko, Ireti and The Good Son.

Founded in 2012 with the aim of finding a larger audience and more sustainable distribution system for quality films from Nollywood, the usually well-attended Nollywoodweek film festival has undoubtedly helped to popularize Nollywood films. This edition will take place from June 2 to 5, 2016 at the popular Cinema l’Arlequin in Paris.

“This year, we received an unprecedented amount of submissions of great quality which made the selection process very difficult,” Executive Director Serge Noukoué stated, adding “a great sign that the industry is heading in the right direction.” More information on the festival can be sourced at: www.nollywoodweek.com.