The 5th Niger Delta Advancement Awards (NDAA) 2011 holds on Saturday 17th , September 2011 at Amazing Grace E-Centre, 25, Obio Imo Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Red Carpet starts at 6.00pm. Strictly by Invitation. The NDAA President, Mr. Oxford T. Okpalefe who disclosed the date via a press release said the award ceremony is going to be a night of glitz, glamour and groove.

He further stated that the NDAA night will bring together dignitaries from all walks of life and the best of Niger Delta music artistes and comedians. Although the event is strictly by invitation, a limited number of Invitation cards are available for anyone who wants to attend.

To get an IV, type: NDAA (Space) IV (Space) Name (Space) GSM Number (Space) Location E.g. NDAA IV Oxford Okpalefe 08033608271 Lagos
SEND SMS TO 33120 on all networks.

For more details, call: 08033608271, 08057871199 or Visit: www.ndaa.bunoxcom.com

Thanks

Oxford T. Okpalefe
President

The Mirror Boy is :
• The first African film to premiere at the world famous Empire Cinema, Leicester square, London (this particular cinema is renowned for hosting premieres of Hollywood films in the UK and no Nigerian or African has ever used this prestigious landmark for such. About 1,323 people attended the premiere of the Mirror Boy there)
• First Nigerian film to receive UK wide Odeon cinema release, the biggest African UK release ever, top 5 Odeon London opening w/e, top 20 all UK movies
• The longest run of any African film in any UK cinemas
• Biggest premieres ever in Gambia & Silverbird Ghana, with a sold out extravaganza on 17th of June at the Silverbird cinema Accra
• Twice profiled on CNN as the Future of Nollywood

Awards and nominations include:
- Break through Actor ( Genevieve Nnaji) at the Monaco film festival 2011
- Best Young Actor ( Edward kagutuzi) AMAA 2011
- Best Film & Best Supporting Actor (Osita Iheme) – AMAA nominees 2011
- Best picture (Obi Emelonye) & Best Pan African Actor (Edward kagutuzi) – Nigerian Entertainment Awards (nominees)
- Whooping Twelve nominations (ZAAFA Awards) to be held in October in the UK ( Best Film, Best Editing, Best Story, Best Sound editing, Best Child Actor Male, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Producer, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actress, Best Lead Actor).

One can’t forget to mention the film festivals as well – Monaco Film Festival (Official Selection), Cannes Film Festival (Unofficial Screening), Africa in Motion Film Festival (Official Selection), Dubai Film Festival (Official Selection). The Mirror Boy ( “TMB”) flaunts an array of a mixed cast (Nigerians, Gambians, Britons, Ugandan) working with a highly skilled crew who know their onions such as Clive Norman (Director of Photography), who has over 30 International awards in his kitty, including BTAA, Royal Television awards and Promax, Andrew Webber, the experienced film editor, Gabriel Okorie (Multiple award winning special effects & makeup artiste). The movie was produced by Obi Emelonye & Patrick Campbell with Akin Salami as the Executive producer, and Associate Producers ( Gordon Irole, Fatima Jabbe and Charles Thompson (MBE). Sound tracks were by Cashino NDT, Luciano, and Fragrance.

The Mirror Boy unveils the story about Tijan, a 12 year old London born African boy (Edward kagutuzi) who is taken by his mother Teema (Genevieve Nnaji) to Gambia for the first time. He gets lost in a crowded street market called Serekunda having been distracted by a boy he’d earlier seen in the mirror when they arrived in Banjul. His mother begins a frantic search for him. Tijan must confront his deepest fears as he tries to find his way back to his mother and embarks on a journey of self discovery, led by the enigmatic Mirror Boy (Osita Iheme), a journey in which the lines between reality and fantasy; the physical and the spiritual are blurred. A mystical and cathartic climax helps Tijan to unravel the mystery of the Mirror Boy…

According to Obi Emelonye who was interviewed by the BBC and CNN, “ the Mirror Boy was shot in two months, 80% in Gambia and 20% in the UK.. It is a universal family adventure film, a modern – age rite of passage movie that explores the concept of identity crisis amongst children born in the Diaspora”. His directorial credits include but not limited to Echoes of war (2003), Sweet Betrayal (2004), The London Successor (2005), Lucky Joe (2006), The Asylum (2008), Quiet Storm (2009) and now, The Mirror Boy. He brings his stature as a lawyer and the attendant pragmatism to the sometimes chaotic world of film and productions. His multi- disciplinary approach to film making, his relentless creative drive and an uncanny sense of artistic style has incontrovertibly made him stand out as one of the UK’s contemporary directors.

Many Nigerians have asked for the reason behind the use of Gambia as the films setting rather than Nigeria in the story. He didn’t write the story with Gambia in mind, his first choice was the Obudu Cattle ranch in Cross River state where he wanted to shoot to promote the Tourism potentials in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Unfortunately the government officials declined his request for logistics support. Another door of opportunity opened when Fatima Jabbe ( a Gambian and wife of the king in the film) offered to get logistics support from the Gambian government. The President, Vice- President, Minister of Culture and communication, pledged logistics support and provided same, ranging from accommodation in a Five Star Hotel near the beach, vehicles fuelled straight from the State House, security, props and freedom to shoot anywhere. Names, places had to be changed to suit the environment and to give back to a country that had willingly offered to make the Mirror Boy project a reality.

It was also difficult to find a Nigerian boy to play the role of 12 year old Tijan in the UK after four auditions had been carried out. The role was further extended to Africans , but the suitable person for the role was still not found until an agent sent Edward’s picture ( who was 19 but could pass for the twelvish age) and bam! Tijan was found.

According to Augusta Okon, Head of Strategy and PR for the Mirror Boy (Nigeria), “movie goers are assured of enjoying a thrilling ride in the Mirror Boy train as they embark on a journey alongside the film’s characters with each unfolding scene. There’s never a dull moment in the film with intermittent comical relief, suspense filled, emotional laden, exhilarating acts, spun around highly powered cinematography, sound, special /visual effects, beautiful sites, rich African culture , and a contemporary feel as well ”.

Movie goers will certainly get their monies worth and leave the cinemas after watching the film with a deep sense of satisfaction and pride for the quantum leap created by The Mirror Boy in the Movie Industry. The Mirror Boy, premieres on the 5th of August 2011 as earlier stated at the silver bird cinemas. Movie goers can also buy tickets to watch same on the premiere date and see the stars in the movie, stars in the Entertainment Industry (movies, music, comedy, dance), dignitaries, high net-worth individuals who will grace the ground breaking event. The film is being distributed by Blue pictures Ltd, the foremost film distribution company in Nigeria and shows in all cinemas ( Silverbird, Ozone, Genesis Deluxe) from 5th of August 2011.

The Mirror Boy will take you on an interesting journey that will linger on in your minds … for a long time to come.
NAIJA ARE YOUR READY FOR THE JOURNEY ? …

Written, produced & directed by Obi Emelonye, an award winning UK based Nigerian filmmaker and starring Genevieve Nnaji and Osita Iheme – the biggest screen talents Africa has to offer – The Mirror Boy is soon set to captivate global audiences & become the blockbuster that fans of Nigerian cinema have been waiting for.

It was in 2010 that the world finally became aware of the enormous growth in the fledgling Nigerian film industry, now popularly known as ‘Nollywood’, as it surpassed Hollywood to become the world’s 2nd biggest movie producer. Nollywood already holds the position of being the No. 1 cinema art form across Nigeria, Africa and the global African Diaspora, with many millions of eager fans worldwide.

The Mirror Boy is a universal family adventure film that tells the uplifting story of a young teenage African British boy taken back to the land of his mother’s birth, but then gets mysteriously lost in a foreboding forest and embarks on a magical journey that teaches him about himself and the mystery of the father he has never seen.

Shot in the truly beautiful terrain of the Republic of The Gambia and boasting high quality production values, despite its low (by international standards) budget, The Mirror Boy is said by many in the international movie business to be the Nollywood movie that can finally match it’s industry’s new found status,

The Mirror Boy’s much anticipated success is hoped will elevate and redefine Nollywood and turn international curiosity into a bold statement of cinematic identity, creating a landscape where new Nollywood will ‘crossover’ and become more widely recognised within mainstream channels.

The Mirror Boy was produced by The Nollywood Factory in association with Akin Salami and Patrick Campbell of OH Films, the film arm of OH TV (SKY199), the UK’s fastest growing channel for African Caribbean audiences.

The Mirror Boy is set to be released across Odeon cinemas in April, with international premieres scheduled for Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana over the coming months.

END

For further information please contact;
GLYNIS KUFFUOR
Email: press@thenollywoodfactory.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

- Red Carpet arrivals from 7 – 8pm

- The evening commences with an exclusive VIP Cocktail Reception together with presentations and interviews attended by a galaxy of top UK based African heritage film, television & music entertainment stars plus influencers from the worlds of fashion, media, sport and politics from the international cultural arenas.

- The film program commences at 8.30pm and includes a Q&A with the stars and filmmakers led by top popular host..

- Limited Tickets for this exclusive event are available to be purchased online from; http://themirrorboypremiere.eventbrite.com and at various African ticket outlets.
- Journalists and Press photographers are invited to cover the arrival of invited guests as well as conduct filming and radio interviews. Press accreditation is open until 20th February. Please confirm your interest at press@thenollywoodfactory.com
- Image requests – Please email us your request by 1pm Friday 25th Feb, for next day delivery of official event photography for publication.

OBI EMELONYE – One of Nollywood’s most visionary filmmakers

GENEVIEVE NNAJI – Africa’s number one movie star

OSITA IHEME – One of Africa’s biggest male movie stars

FATIMA JABBE – Gambia’s biggest movie star

EDWARD KAGUTUZI – Newly discovered UK based Ugandan actor

THE NOLLYWOOD FACTORY – One of new Nollywood’s leading lights

OH FILMS – Film arm of OHTV, the UK’s fastest growing African Caribbean channel

NOLLYWOOD – The world’s second largest producer of movies after Bollywood

PREMIERE PARTNERS: ARIK AIR, NOLLYWOOD MOVIES, HI-TV, OH TV, OBE TV, BEN TV, NAIJA FM, COLOURFUL RADIO, WAKA J, SCREEN AFRICA, NOLLYWOOD FOCUS, SCREEN NATION, FASHIONS FINEST, SWEET LADY

www.thenollywoodfactory.com
www.themirrorboythemovie.com

The Trailer:

TWO HIT WONDER TO RISING MOVIE STAR

Australia’s pioneer of urban rap Cristian Castillo, aka K.I.C. is making heads turn with a fresh face to acting. After many years in the United States gaining roles in various film and television productions, Cristian now settles back home in Australia as his point of base.

At the age of 17, Cristian was Australia’s youngest pop rap artist to sign a record deal with major label Sony/Columbia. His first hit single, ‘Bring Me On’ gave him instant recognition on MTV, Rage, Video Smash Hits and Rolling Stone Magazine. His second single, ‘The Right Way’ become an international hit, topping the pop charts in Hong Kong and Singapore. This was a significant achievement, and whether you saw him perform live, or you tend to listen to his single whilst playing a few games on poker.de, you knew of his talent. His recognition by different areas of the entertainment business supported how multi-talented he was, and how he could turn his hand to almost anything.

Throughout Cristian’s teenage music career he toured with MC Hammer, K.W.S. and Jeremy Jordan. In 1994 he toured Australia as part of the Drug Offensive, Speed Catches up With Your campaign. These series of concerts were hosted by Channel 7 and Video Smash Hits.

Looking to be one of Australia’s top leading male actors, Cristian currently has over ten films under his belt. His latest feature is Candy, where he played the role of ‘Little Angel’ alongside Academy Award Nominee Heath Ledger and Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush.

At the age of 14, Cristia’s first role was in the Australian independent feature film, ‘Dead To The World’. Further to his credits, Cristian landed a role in a US feature film, ‘The Street King, directed by James Gavin Bedford, starring John Seda of NYPD Blue and Mario Lopez of Saved by the Bell. Cristian also starred in the US pilot,a Roadshow by Warner Bros, a Viacom Production.

With over twenty years of life experience in the entertainment industry, this suburban Sydney local is set to give worldwide audiences a new realism to film and television.

For further information or interviews, please contact:
Ritchie Ramos, 7 Flavours
Mobile: 0416 477 832 / 0417 456 562
Email: info@7flavours.com

(In the event that our Australian contact numbers are un-available, sms overseas office: +853 669 0025)

Call for Entries

We, the African Council for Arts & Culture eV (herein known as AFCAC), are a Pan-African Organisation working to keep the African Civilizations alive while promoting International Understanding. We stand for the Dialogue of Civilizations. As a Diaspora-based organisation with a global African focus, we are currently registered in Germany. Our registration details are No. 43 VR 13311 Amtsgericht Koeln and Steuernummer 218/5751/0602 Finanzamt Koeln-Ost.

We have been closely studying the development of the Ghanaian and Nigerian home video sectors since 2004 and we feel very proud to witness how Africans are single-handedly floating a vibrant home grown creative economy without foreign aid and donor preconditions. The Ghanaian and Nigerian home video phenomena are a testimony of the self-reliance and ingenuity of Africans who are tired of the aggressive negative portrayal of their rich Civilizations. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Mba and his progressive staff for tirelessly leading the sanitization of the home video sector.

While we recognise the huge fundamental challenges facing the young and volatile Nigerian and Nigerian home movie sectors, we have decided to set up shop in West Africa with the aim of working with all sincere stakeholders in securing the respective place of the Ghanaian and Nigerian creativity on the global stage. Our technical partner and focal point in this regard is “Afromedia Film & Television International Group” (herein known as Afromedia with no relation to Afromedia Nigeria Limited) a Pan African multimedia business entity promoting the production and distribution of African Cinema, TV and allied media products under the motto: Deliverer of Highest Quality Programmes from Africa.

We have launched a decade long COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL BRANDING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME (2008-2018) to help boost the Ghanaian and Nigerian motion pictures and entertainment sectors as catalyst of a dynamic Panafrican Creative Economy. We also hope to correct the negative portrayal of Nigeria as a “419” fraud country through this programme. Every country has good and bad citizens. It is therefore very unfair to stigmatize Nigeria’s 140 millions wonderful people through the greed and arrogance of a few thousand “be-rich-quick” selfish fraudsters.

For the first programme component, we hereby invite all lovers of the new African Cinema and Music to submit NAME and LOGO proposals for the following categories:

1. GHANAIAN FILM INDUSTRY
The Black Star of Africa boasts of a long history of quality film making. The arrival of the digital technology has however sift the paradigm to Digital Video as in the case of Nigeria. The Ghanaian home movie sub sector is informally nicknamed “Gollywood”. We feels this “gollywood”, name which resonates like “gullibility”, is an insult to the creative talents of Ghana. We therefore invite all fans to submit a serious name and logo proposal for the upcoming Ghanaian Movie Industry.

The prize money is 200,000 Naira (two Hundred Thousand Naira or equivalent in Ghanaian Cedi)
A jury comprising representatives of the Ghanaian filmmakers sitting in Accra will be commissioned to vote for best logo and name entry.

2. NIGERIAN FILM INDUSTRY
The Nigeria home video sub-sector is currently nicknamed „Nollywood“. “Nolly” means “nothing” and we AFCAC and Afromedia do NOT feel comfortable promoting „nothingwood“ on the world stage. We will also be disrespecting the pioneers of the Nigerian home video like Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Tunde Kelani, Prince Alade Ayomire, Dr. Ola Balogun, Zeb Ejizo, John Amata, Amaka Igwe et al, if we jump into the “wood” bandwagon just because the Indians call theirs “Bollywood” and the Americans “Hollywood.”

There are globally recognized brands that are working working without the “wood” suffix. For instance Sundance, Cannes, Sithengi, Fespaco, et cetera. We need a Nigerian way. Therefore a name and logo that celebrate the intelligence of Nigerian filmmakers without „wood“ or „nothing“ deserve their relevant places.

The prize money for the name and logo that will complement and eventually replace the “nothingwood” name is N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

A jury comprising representatives of the Nigerian practitioners and concerned government agencies sitting either in Lagos, Abuja, Jos or Calabar will be commissioned to vote for best logo and name entry.
The winning name and logo will be launched during the 2009 edition of the Zuma Fim Festival of the Nigeria Film Corporation in Abuja, FCT.
Those wishing to stick to the “nollywood” name for the chaotic home video sub-sector are free to do so. However, the names and logos that win this contest, will be jealously protected under the Copyright Laws of Ghana, Nigeria, Germany and will be used exclusively by stakeholders who agree to a set of Code of Conducts to be adopted at an impending stakeholders conference. This is meant to for check abuse and, to promote quality branding, sanity, passion and confidence. The new name and logo (identity) will help the passionate stakeholders launch a serious Nigerian Film Industry according to international common sense.

3. YORUBA LANGUAGE FILMS
The history of the Nigerian motion pictures industry is linked with that of the Yoruba language films. The Yoruba Culture is still very much alive in and out of Africa. This can be verified by the Candomble and Capoera in Brazil, the Orisha/Santaria traditions in Cuba, Calypso in Trinidad and Tobago and similar living heritages in other parts of the African Diaspora. Looking at the Mother Continent of Africa, we AFCAC and Afromedia are however disappointed by the fact that traditional African practices like the voodoo are portrayed in the home videos as forces of evil that are negative and inferior to the Abrahamic religions of Islam and Christianity.

While we blame this sad development on the psychological wounds of Colonial/Jihad curriculum, the hypocrisy of the brainwashed African decision makers, the sponsorship of home movies by the aggressive evangelical churches and, the domination of African TV screens by alien media content (copycat reality TV craze, Mexican leftovers, etc), we irreversibly challenge the practitioners, advertisers and programme sponsors to rethink this myopic promotion of “African inferiority complex” in their products. As progressive cultural diplomats of Africa, we feel the blame game is not sustainable. It is therefore time for self criticism and attitudinal change towards our African Heritage, Ancestral Archives and Cultural Orientation. For, only the most progressive, dynamic, creative and vibrant cultures will survive the tough competition of globalisation.

We pray the brave Yoruba filmmakers, artistes, designers, politicians, intellectuals and millionaires take the lead in branding and placing the Positive Progressive Virtues of our African Civilizations in their moves, music and lifestyle for posterity.

Coming to the name issue, we hear acronyms like “Yoruwood” being whispered for the Yoruba home movies but we need a serious name and logo that will best market filmed Yoruba traditions and Culture across the globe.

The prize money for the name and logo of the Yoruba Film Genre is N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)

A jury comprising representatives of the Yoruba /Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners sitting either at the Holy Historic City of Ile-Ife or Oshogbo will be commissioned to vote for the best logo and name.

4.THE HAUSA LANGUAGE GENRE
Despite the changes posed by the strict interpretation of Islam by some conservative forces, a promising sub sector of the Nigerian home video with Hausa language is emerging from the Northern Nigerian commercial melting of Kano. We are however monitoring, with great concern, the counter-productive suffocation of Hausa-Muslim Creativity by the Kano State Censors Officials and the Hisbah Vigilantes. Islam, according to our Sharia Consultants, is not against creative freedom and we strongly believe the placement of the centuries-old traditional Hausa/Fulani music, language, romance, etiquette and other living heritages in movies, music and allied artworks with some contemporary adjustments do not contravene the teachings of Islam.

We hope to work with the Authorities in Kano, the sister Hausa/Fulani States and the Hausa/Fulani theatre arts practitioners in all progressive manners that will help the Modern World celebrate the rich Hausa/Fulani Heritage without any exaggerated Stone Age restriction. For, the Creative Arts are also there to, among others, provoke debate on outdated rigid taboos, dogma and traditions that are stifling prosperity. We say “yes” to Usman Dan Fodio and no to Osama bin Ladin. Yes to Hausa/Fulani Folklore and no to radical petrodollar hate sermons. Yes to African Creative Freedom and no to “Talibanwood” and “Inquisitionwood!”

We need a serious and respectful name and logo for the Hausa or Fulani language films to replace “Kannywood.”

The prize money for the name and logo of Hausa or Fulani language movies is N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)

A jury of Hausa or Fulani theatre arts practitioners and cultural officials sitting in Yola, Adamawa State will be commissioned to vote for the the best name and logo suggestion.

5. IGBO LANGUAGE MOVIES
Another interesting pillar of the Nigerian home video sub-sector is the Igbo language movies coming largely from the Eastern Nigerian City of Enugu. Though a name like “Ikenga” is making informal rounds as brand for Igbo pictures, we are yet to recognise an stubborn similarity with the Gollywood, Nollywood, Yoruwood and Kannywood madness. Notwithstanding, we needs a serious name and logo for the Igbo language films.

The prize money is N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)

A jury of Igbo movie practitioners sitting in Enugu will be commissioned to vote for the best name and logo entry.

6. CROSS OVER MOVIES
The promotion of unity and diversity is a paramount component of our objectives. Wile we encourage increase portrayal of rich Yoruba, Hausa, Gha, Pidgin (broken English) Kiswahili language and all other African virtues in films, we strive to promote progressive exchanges between the various Nations of Nigeria and Africa, on the Continent and in the Diaspora. We will continue to support the co-productions of movies, music and artworks that stimulate dynamic interaction of cultures. In the meantime, we need a name and logo for the crossover branding.

The prize money is N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)

7. ADULT CONTENT AND EROTIC ARTS
We, AFCAC and Afromedia, believe in the promotion of rich native African cultural sexuality, romance and beauty in the creative arts for civic education. We will support all brave filmmakers and artistes who place African sexuality in their movies and artworks with the aim of educating the young people and couples on sexual health and satisfaction with African specifics. We have no time for cultural hypocrisy and double moral. We shall work tirelessly with all concerned stakeholders and censors officials in promoting anthropological nudity and intimacy as part of the genuine components of our indigenous African values without crossing the red-line to the aggressive commercial pornography imported from abroad. We will, with the next 24 months, organise “Stakeholders’ Workshops on Sexuality, Cultural Sensitivity In African Cinema & Related Arts” to draft and approve a binding Set of Code of Ethics for practitioners. Meanwhile, we need a serious Logo and Name for African movies and erotic arts with adult, nude or sexual content to help guide consumers and practitioners.

The Prize Money for the Name and Logo for this category is N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira)

8. AFROMEDIA NIGERIA FILM & CULTURAL ENTREPRISES DEVELOPMENT FUND (ANFCED)
We have discovered that the rampant incidence of piracy, the chaotic distribution network and pariah structures are suppressing the growth of a serious distribution and funding mechanism. Investors as still reluctant to put their money into the chaotic African film sector due to the afore stated and similar challenges.

Notwithstanding, we are at AFCAC and Afromedia shave decided to risk it by forming the “Afromedia Nigeria Film & Cultural Enterprises Development Fund (pronounced Anf-ced). This Fund will strive to support the development of a reliable and sustainable financing mechanism for Nigerian and African creative talents. The Fund will be managed by Afromedia. We are conscious of the fact that the huge financial losses in the first years of operations will make us fit for the next level. The name “Nigeria” is borrowed to pay tribute to the Nigerian pioneers and to reflect on the potentials of the world’s Leading Black Nation, the sleeping Giant of Africa. ANFCED will at all times maintain an open door policy to all creative people in and out of Africa who meet the set funding criteria.

The prize money for the logo of ANFCED is The Prize Money is N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).
See: afromediafilmtelevision.net/name and logo contest 2008 for more

SOME IMPORTANT NOTES:

1.The deadline for entry is September 30th 2008. Entries that arrived after this date will not be considered. To counter any possible delay in postal delivery, we recommend entrants to post their artworks on or before August 21st 2008. Exemption will be granted to entries that arrived after the August 30th deadline provided the post office stamp on the envelope indicates “August 21st 2008” as date of postage. The envelop/ postal package should be clearly marked with “NON-COMMERICAL CULTURAL GOODS ONLY.” Only winners will be contacted and invited to receive their cash prizes during the launch of the respective Name and Logos.
2.The complete list of all eleven (11) entry categories (not published above) can be printed from:www.afromediafilmtelevision.net/nameandlogocontest 2008
3.Entries should be sent in the first instance by REGULAR POST to out technical advisers and focal point :

H.S. Prince Bubacarr Sankanu
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Afromedia Film & TV International Group
REF: Name and Logo Contest for The Ghanaian and Nigerian Film Industries
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Str. 31
D-51067 Cologne
Germany
or to Box: Postfach 800144, D 51001 Cologne, Germany

For clarification kindly email: bubacarr@gmx.net, or call : 0049-152-0444-1

Basement Theatre Company (BTC) has been established in Abuja for the rebirth of the classy outdoors and to cater to the very specific and sophisticated social needs of urbane Nigerians and Abujans in particular. Now, BTC proudly presents Ola Rotimi’s Ovonramwen Nogbaisi in a complete theatre experience like none before it.

The play is a reconstruction of the historic fall of the great empire of Benin in the British Punitive Expedition of January 4, 1897. The drama looks beyond the obvious in cross-cultural struggles between empires and focuses on the burdens of power as well as the culturally peculiar diplomacy employed between two very fascinating monarchs.

For this Abuja opening, BTC is proud to bring back to Black theatre, African star of music, TV and stage, Dede Mabiaku in the leading role. He is joined by a most vibrant and select cast of the cream of Nigerian theatre. Among them are Toyin Oshinaike, Ahide Adum, Patrick Otoro, Albert Akaeze and Ikponmwonsa Gold.

Platinum Command Performance:

Date: Friday, 4th of July, 2008

Venue: Congress Hall, the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja

Time: 7pm prompt

Ticket: N19,999 or $170.00

Private Performance:

Date: Saturday, 5th of July, 2008

*For details of this performance, please contact Basement Theatre Company

Silver-Card Performances:

Date: Sunday, 6th of July, 2008

Venue: Africa Hall, the International Conference Centre, Abuja

Time: 3pm (matinee)/7pm

Ticket: N2,999 (singles); N4,999 (couples) **special student rates apply

We invite you to order bulk tickets for your organization/group and take advantage of our special bulk ticket discounts. For more box office details and ticket enquiries, please call 0702 546 3790-2 or e-mail tickets@btcnigeria.com. Also, visit our website www.btcnigeria.com for more information on Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and Basement Theatre Company.

Yemi Adeyinka,

Marketing & Audience Development

Picture Source: Broken Memory

It was another sad weekend in Nigeria, as death was announced of the high life music maestro Olive De Coque, the Ogene Masters.

Apostle Sunny Okosuns is yet to be buried; he passed on a forth night ago. Indeed, the old timers generation is almost lost; it will be recalled that Chief Osita Osadebe pass on sometime last year.

We pray that his soul rest in peace.

Here are a few of his classics.

Biri Ka Mbiri:

Ana Enwe Obodo Enwe:

People’s Club:

All Fingers Are Not Equal:

News Source:The Guard1an.

NOLLYWOOD CONVENTION 2008
Dates: June 19 – 22
Venue: Hotel Sofitel 8555 Beverly Blvd. 90048 LOS ANGELES, USA
Contact: (+1)310/278-5444 – (+1)310/657-2816

See Detail at: Nollywood Foundation

NOLLYWOOD CONVENTION 2008 AGENDA:

THURSDAY 19th June, 2008:
* Arrivals
* 7:00PM – 11:00PM – Reception

FRIDAY 20th June, 2008:
* 7:30AM – 8:15AM – Breakfast
* 8:30AM – 10:00AM – Making a Good Pitch. -What Financers, Studios, Distributors Want To Hear
* 10:15AM – 11:45PM – Film Performance: Pre-Shooting Preparation – Little Things Matter
* 12:00PM – 1:15PM – Lunch
* Lunch Time: Speaker(s) to be Announced
* 1:30PM – 3:00PM – Enhancing Film and Production Design: Looking at the Big Picture

* 3:15PM – 5:00PM – Pitching Session for Selected Nigerian Filmmakers and feedback on the pitches
by key Industry Decision Makers
* 8:00PM – 11:00PM – VIP Reception

Guests of Honor:
Mr. Emeka Mba, Director-General, Nigerian Film & Video Censors Board

SATURDAY 21st June, 2008:
* Participation at the LAFF – All day event.

SUNDAY 22nd June, 2008:
* Break-away breakfast meeting on Sunday.
* Film Screening – NF Hosts Movie Screening for LAFF
* Movie Title – THE CHOIR
* Location: Landmark Theatres, LA, 10850 West Pico at Westwood Blvd.
* Time: 7:30 PM

NOLLYWOOD 2008 Flyer

Synopsis: Ikem, a prince of Mbaukwu kingdom was thrown into the world of slavery as he escaped from the assassins who killed his father the King of Mbaukwu kingdom.

Prince Okorie, the king’s brother accuses Dike, the king’s bodyguard of the assassination and the disappearance of prince Ikem. This situation forced Dike to flee to another kingdom with his family. There he was before fate brought him to a now grown Prince Ikem after many years. Together they fought to enthrone Ikem as the rightful ruler of Mbaukwu kingdom at the expense of the greedy Okorie who masterminded the killing of Ikem’s father to get to the throne.

Cast
Kenneth Okonkwo
Justus Esiri
David Ihesie
Major Okolo
Vincent Opurum
Adaigbo Okafor
Okechukwu “Sino” Anagor

Writer/Director: E. O’Squires Ogbonnaya
Producer: Ifeanyi Anagor
Co-Producer: E. O’Squires Ogbonnaya
Production Manager: Ekam Flunice

RELEASE DATE 16th JUNE 2008

For Marketing & Distribution:

All inqueries and correspondence about distribution/marketing and publicity of the MOVIE Kingdom of Men should be addressed to: