All set for Abuja International Film Festival 2022

The organisers of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) have announced that all is set for the 19th edition of the event, which is scheduled to hold at the prestigious Silverbird Cinemas Abuja and two other centres in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, from October 31 to November 3, 2022.

To be held under the theme The Digital Revolution-Harnessing The Potentials In Online Streaming And Downloads Of Content, Festival Communication Officer, Millicent Bassey stated that the theme was chosen to reveal the opportunities and challenges inherent in global digital film arena of which Nigeria is a major player.

“As the global filmmaking industry moves towards a new digital revolution in online streaming and downloads of content, it has become expedient to discuss the new story-telling traditions used by filmmakers in captivating the online viewers,” he said.

Hailed as the longest-running film festival in Anglophone West Africa, the AIFF received a total of 1,771 films from 87 countries, while about 91 films and filmmakers respectively made the final selection for 2022.

Festival director, Temitope Duker, who spoke on activities lined up for the festival, emphasised that the festival regulars like screenings, master classes, panel discussions, parties and the grand event of the closing night, where honors will go to deserving films and filmmakers will feature this year. 

“Also listed for this year’s event is a short film completion for young and aspiring filmmakers on hygiene and it is sponsored by HYPO bleach,” Duker said, adding that some of the films this year have thematic content on gender and social issues from various countries including Nepal, Poland, USA, South Africa, India, China, Jordan, Canada, Tanzania, Brazil, Egypt and Nigeria amongst several others. 

The festival director also confirmed that, unlike the 2021 edition which had only 1171 entries, with 92 selected for screenings and 42 nominated for possible awards, the 2022 edition has more entries from more nations around the world with Nigeria accounting for 35 per cent of the total entries. 

Duker hinted that the activities for the 20th edition of the festival would be unveiled during this 19th edition with the launch of the Score Nollywood Hall of Fame and Museum in Abuja.

Films nominated in the feature film category are Enough of The Silence by Andy Amenechi, Strain by Uduak Obong Patrick, Sin City by Muyiwa Ademola, What Happened in St. James by Marc Adebisin, Obsession by Chidiebere Emmanuel, The Troubled One by Vigil Chime and Alaise by Edgar Leroy.