Around and about Moviedom In one week

It is the first week in September and some screen celebrities are sharing clicks with trending stories. Here is a pick for the week…
C.J Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ Still Touring
C.J Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ about the titular West African mermaid deity is touring festivals and grabbing theatrical release deals months after the film premiered at the prestigious Sundance International Film Festival.

At the last count, the movie has featured in over 15 prestigious festivals and movie meets around the world and still counting. Written and directed by Chukwudi Joseph Obasi or C.J Obasi for short, with a pleasing black and white cinematography by Brazilian Director of Photography, Lilis Soares, ‘Mami Wata’ produced by Oge Obasi, premiered at the World Cinema Dramatic competition section of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in January.

The outing at Sundance made it the first time that a homegrown film secured such a slot at the festival, reputed as one of the big five festivals in the world (others are Berlin, Venice, Cannes, Toronto). From Sundance where the film deservedly earned a jury prize for cinematography, ‘Mami Wata’ hugged the screens at the 2023 edition of the biennial Festival of Pan African Television and Cinema in Ouagadougou, otherwise called FESPACO.

The film has so far premiered at the 2023 First Look Film Festival in New York, African Movie Festival in Manitoba, and at Lucca Film Festival, among others. Information reaching Moviedom indicates that the film will be released theatrically in Nigeria on September 8. The film will be released in select theatres in the United States from September 29 and in Germany and Austria from January 11. From here, we say ‘Keep the flag flying’ C. J Obasi.

AMAA Appoints Jury President For 2023 Award
Keith Shiri, the Zimbabwean-born UK-based international film curator and programme advisor, has been re-appointed as the President of the Jury of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Shiri’s appointment was ratified by the Board of the Africa Film Academy (AFA) currently coordinated by Raymond Anyiam Osigwe, elder brother of the late founder of the AMAA Peace Anyiam Osigwe.
The well-travelled and internationally recognised film programmer is expected to again lead other respected curators and renowned filmmakers and critics that make up the AMAA Jury, to decide nominees and eventual winners in the 26 categories of the 19th edition of the award, which is scheduled to hold in Lagos on October 29.

Shiri, an advisor to several international film festivals, presided over the 12-man board of international jurors of the awards in 2022. Members of the AMAA jury include International film curator and programmer for the Berlin International Film Festival, Dorothee Wenner; Film curator and archivist, June Giviani, and Burkinabe-Swiss-born filmmaker, Berni Goldblat. Others are Journalist, author and former Commissioner of Culture in Lagos state, Steve Ayorinde; Journalist and creative industry expert, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles and current Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, Asantewa Olatunji; Co- founder of PAFF, Ayuko Babu and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi.

Reacting to the news of his re-appointment, Shiri, who is presently curating the Icons of the Africa Centre Series for the legendary London-based cultural institution, thanked the AFA board for his reappointment but noted that it is sad that he will be presiding over a jury in the first edition without the founder and CEO Peace Anyiam- Osigwe.
Said Shiri, “I don’t know what to say, but of course it is rather sad to preside over this first edition without our CEO, founder and sister, Peace Ogechi Marie Anyiam-Osigwe. However, we have an award to deliver and deliver we must.” The nomination announcement is fixed for September 21.

Garlands For Ego Boyo At 55
Ego Boyo. Recall the actress who breathed real life into the character of Anne Haatrope in the defunct television soap by Amaka Igwe, titled, ‘Checkmate’? The long-standing actress, philanthropist and producer turned 55 on Wednesday and social media buzzed with congratulatory messages to mark the day for the wife, mother, actress and producer in the professional class who is a mentor to a lot of young actors and upcoming producers.

Popular actress, Rita Dominic shared the photos of the actress on her social media handles and wrote: “Wishing you a very happy birthday and 31st wedding anniversary to a beautiful, lovely iconic woman and her hubby. Sis, you radiate such warmth and always ready to give and be there for others in their time of need. You are a kind soul and it is so easy to be drawn to you.” In surmising, Rita wrote, “As you celebrate today, I pray that the good lord will keep blessing and enriching you. I love you forever and a day.”

Notable actress and fitness enthusiast, Kate Henshaw also dropped this note for Ego Boyo: “Mrs. B. Happy birthday to you. May the blessings of God remain in your life till eternity. You are just awesome and your heart is gold. Love you loads.”
A creative entrepreneur per excellence, who shot into limelight for her role as Anne Haatrope in ‘Checkmate’, Ego studied theatre at the University of Benin and she is the founder and Managing Director of Temple Productions, Temple films and Temple Studio. Ego has signed some critically acclaimed movies such as ‘A Hotel Called Memory’ and ‘The Ghost and The House of Truth’ as Executive Producer.

…Agba Akin Yinka Quadri too
Actor, producer and holder of the traditional title of Agba Akin of Oro Kingdom in Kwara State, Alhaji Olayinka Quadri, was a year older on Wednesday. The veteran actor turned 64 and as it is customary, his fans, friends and colleagues took to their social media platforms to eulogise the veteran actor of vast credit who is popular as ‘Masomo’ or ‘Fagbamila.’

President and co-founder of the theatre group called Odunfa Caucus, one of Quadri’s early well-wishers is notable actress Veronica Ronnie Dikko. The actress who marked her birthday on Monday took to her facebook handle to celebrate Quadri thus: “Happy birthday to a distinguished and veteran actor Agbaakin Yinka Quadri. Continue to age with grace sir.”

Sixty-four, but looking so ‘boyish’, Quadri, blessed with good look and frame is a darling of the Yoruba movie buffs. They accord him star treatment and they would sit to watch a movie once it stars ‘Masomo,’ an alias he earned from his constant refrain.

Sixty-four, but looking so ‘boyish’, Quadri, blessed with good look and frame is a darling of the Yoruba movie buffs. They accord him star treatment and they would sit to watch a movie once it stars ‘Masomo,’ an alias he earned from his constant refrain.