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By Shaibu Husseini

04 September 2022   |   1:40 am

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In its effort at expanding its delegate network, the organisers of the Berlin International Film Festival has appointed Los Angeles-based, the U.S. industry expert, Jacqueline Lyanga, as U.S. Delegate for the Berlinale.

Jacqueline Lyanga Appointed US-Delegate For Berlinale
In its effort at expanding its delegate network, the organisers of the Berlin International Film Festival has appointed Los Angeles-based, the U.S. industry expert, Jacqueline Lyanga, as U.S. Delegate for the Berlinale. Lyanga is expected to consolidate contacts with the U.S. film industry and filmmakers, assist in scouting films and prepare the Berlinale’s U.S. West Coast screening tours. Ryan Werner, who has been active as America’s delegate for the festival since 2019, and Lyanga will work closely together. “We are happy and proud to have Lyanga on our team, and looking forward to working alongside her. I have known her for many years and admire her taste, energy and personality. Along with Ryan Werner, I am sure she will do a terrific job strengthening our ties with the U.S. film industry,” says Berlinale artistic director, Carlo Chatrian. Lyanga founded Global Cinematheque in 2020, a U.S.-based organisation to promote international cinema and talent. Most recently, Lyanga was the Head of DEI for IMDb, where her role included developing inclusive infrastructure and creative content for IMDb and IMDbPro customers globally. Prior to joining IMDb, Lyanga was the Artistic Director of Film Independent in Los Angeles, and for the eight years from 2010 to 2018, the Director of AFI FEST presented by Audi, the American Film Institute’s (AFI) annual international film festival in Los Angeles. She has been invited to serve on international film festival juries at festivals such as, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Lyanga has been appointed to the rank of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the French government for her promotion of French film and culture in the United States. She has also been awarded the Order of the Crown from the Kingdom of Belgium.

TIFF Begins September 8
THE 2022 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will run from September 8 to 18. TIFF officials have announced the full lineup of films and they have revealed that the festival would return to its normal proceedings. Last year, the Canadian COVID-19 protocols forced the festival to feature just 130 films. But with a full schedule of 260 films, TIFF 2022 will have filmgoers watch films without nose masks, however, to be allowed into the theatres, they must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Reputed as one of the largest and most well-attended film festivals in the world, the festival will screen many highly anticipated features, some by acclaimed directors looking to get a head start on the Academy Awards season. Some of the most talked about films include, Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, starring Brendan Fraser; Causeway, a military drama directed by Lila Neugebauer, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry, Tobias Lindholm’s The Good Nurse, starring Academy Award winners, Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne; The Menu, the film directorial debut of Succession’s Mark Mylod starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes, Rian Johnson’s Knives Out sequel, and A Jazzman’s Blues from Tyler Perry.

Here Comes Ibadan International Film Festival
THE Bunkers on Ring Road Ibadan is venue of the maiden Ibadan International Film Festival, which is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 24, 2022. The organisers announced recently that they received ‘over 10,000 film entries from 117 countries of the world’. Entries were received in 12 different categories of the award, which includes, best short film, best cinematography, best screenplay, best actor (male), best sound design, best actor (female).

Other categories where entries were also received are best student film, best supporting actor (male), best production design, best supporting actor, best documentary and best feature film. According to the convener, Usman Olarotimi Ogunlade, “a panel of jury that comprises some of the most sought after filmmakers, scholars, film critics and enthusiasts have been constituted and are already working on judging the movies to have the best in all the 12 categories.” Ogunlade added that the idea of hosting the film festival is traceable to the film making history of Ibadan, Oyo State, where the first television started. “Ibadan is the origin of film making and as indigenes, we felt we should bring this home having been in the industry for long and working closely with the giants in the Industry. It is important to create a platform for upcoming filmmakers to showcase their talents, filmmakers to brainstorm, network and discuss the future of the film industry,” Ogunlade said. ​Recall that the team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Seun Fakorede, who pledged the state government’s unalloyed support, in June, this year. Fakorede remarked that it is the responsibility of the government to foster an atmosphere in which youth may develop, and the current administration is prepared to assist young people who show initiative. Other activities lined up for the festival are art hang out, film screenings and film workshops.