Beeta Arts Festival celebrates talents in Abuja

The city of Abuja was agog with a cocktail of creativity and a rich tapestry of artistic expressions as the Beeta Arts Festival unveiled its fourth edition yesterday at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

This year’s festival, with the theme “We Are Here,” opened with an exclusive screening of the movie ‘For Amina’, directed by Lyndsey Efejuku. The movie chronicled the giant strides of the convener’s matriarch who outrightly fought unjust extortion by a public school in her community. The opening ceremony had art enthusiasts in excitement as they explored the depth of African storytelling and its dominance in shaping the cinematic narrative in Africa.

Speaking at the event, the convener, Bikiya Graham Douglas, expressed her excitement at the enthusiasm art lovers in Abuja have displayed at the festival opening.

She disclosed that this year’s edition would screen movies from Ghana, Tunisia, Morroco, Namibia and Multichoice Talent Factory.

Bikiya also emphasised that the Beeta festival is an incubator of talents and a home of opportunities for creatives who need a platform to be recognized.

In her words: “There is no year that we have not worked with emerging talent. This year alone, we have two new female directors who are directing plays, we also have male directors doing great things. The Beeta Art Festival is committed to telling the African stories and giving voices to emerging talents.”

Nollywood ace actor and the Beeta Art Festival producer, Olarotimi Fakunle, highlighted that the festival’s influence has increased in the four years of its existence.

He emphasized that the cultural exchange between Lagos and Abuja has not only helped stimulate the vibrant energy of the Festival but has also fostered collaboration between states.

He stated: “As the producer, I have seen changes, I have seen improvement and I have seen how artists have come together to collaborate irrespective of the challenges we have in the country in terms of finance. We’re able to work around these things to ensure the success of this particular edition.”

Also, the Public Diplomacy Counsellor of the United States Embassy, Lee McManis, while reiterating the United’s support for creativity, expressed his excitement at how excellent the festival has been over the years.

“It is very exciting to be here at the opening and the premiering of the movie For Amina. The United States has always been supportive of incredible talents like this festival,” he said.