Film  

Abuja International Film Festival beckons, as Hollywood, Bollywood, others submit films

By Chuks Nwanne

29 July 2017   |   6:46 am

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It is now confirmed that this year’s edition of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), will open on October 9 and run till October 13, 2017, at the Silverbird Galleria and Sheraton Hotel, in Abuja.

According to the founder of the festival, Fidelis Duker, 70 films would be screened during the 14th edition of the fiesta.

It is now confirmed that this year’s edition of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), will open on October 9 and run till October 13, 2017, at the Silverbird Galleria and Sheraton Hotel, in Abuja.

Already, the organisers have 3158 entries from over 70 countries for the festival. Record shows that India had 310 entries, followed by the United States, which had 258 entries and Iran 201entries. Entries were also received countries such as Trinidad, Tobago, Uzbekistan and Jamaica.

According to the founder of the festival, Fidelis Duker, 70 films would be screened during the 14th edition of the fiesta. He described the entries as unprecedented since the inception of the festival in 2004, adding that this year’s festival has as its theme, Film as a tool for National Security and Patriotism.

The filmmaker emphasised that the choice of the theme for this year’s festival has become necessary, as it would create opportunity for Nigerian filmmakers discuss the importance and role film can play in the area of National security, which has become a major challenge globally.

Speaking further, Duker said the AIFF Market Exhibition would attract over 60 exhibitors from the different sectors of the motion picture industry both locally and internationally.

“Also this year, the annual AIFF Campus challenge in Script Development will continue with over 12 Polytechnic and university’s departments of Theatre Arts, Mass Communication, Dramatic and creative Arts applying. The entries for participation by universities is still open till September 5,” he added.

The festival will reward excellence in 15competitive categories with five special recognition awards to deserving Nigerians for their contribution to the development of the Nigerian movie industry. The awardees for 2017 will be announced at the 2017 Nomination party.