Minister commends Abuja Film fest

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended organisers of the just concluded Abuja International Film festival, describing the project as a good tourism event for non-Nigerians, who attend the festival every year.

Lai Mohammed made the remarks while speaking at the festival, which opened on Tuesday October 4 through Friday, October 7, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja. He noted that the festival has come to stay in Abuja, having staged the maiden edition in 2003.

“The festival has finally stamped its authority, not only in Nigeria film industry, but world over. I must first of all commend the team of this festival, which is lead by Fidelis Duker; it has turned out to be a very good tourism for people outside the country to come and see what we have as a nation. We are not only good at producing films, but also good at making use of it. Film industry, I believe, will soon become the cynosure for other countries. Nigeria film industry has and we always be a point of reference to other film industry in Africa,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking on the theme of the festival, Connecting Global Audiences, the founder of AIFF, Mr. Duker said the initiative festival is a way to get closer to the people via film showing, which has become a part of the event.

In attendance to add glitz and glamour to the festival Nollywood icons such as Richard Mofe-Damijo, Paul Obasele, Zach Orji, Segun Arinze, Lanceot Imaseun and many other actors and actresses from other parts of the continent.

The festival ended with an award night with actress Judith Audu emerging Best Actress for her role in her debut feature production, Just Not Married. Receiving the award, the excited actress said that she feels blessed getting recognition like this at a time when so much is happening with the movie.

“I’m grateful to the organisers of the festival for nominating me, for the entire cast and crew that made this happen; the writer Lani Aisida that created the character, the amazing directors Uduak-Obong Patrick and Oluseyi Asurf Amuwa, everyone that has supported and believed in me, I say a very big thank you,” she said.

Also, Lancelot Imasuen’s romantic movie, ATM, won the Audience Choice award conscripted by Papep Paul.