AFRIFF tasks film students on professionalism

Speaking to over 400 students on the theme “Africa Unite”, representative of AFRIFF , Mr. Ikenna Ezenyirioha said the inaugural film festival scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt from December 1-5th this year would serve to address the issue of quality production and will also be a networking platform for film producers, directors, actors and […]

Speaking to over 400 students on the theme “Africa Unite”, representative of AFRIFF , Mr. Ikenna Ezenyirioha said the inaugural film festival scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt from December 1-5th this year would serve to address the issue of quality production and will also be a networking platform for film producers, directors, actors and actresses from all over the world to exchange ideas and begin partnership.
Ezenyirioha who said AFRIFF is partnering with the Rivers state government to hold the festival explained that the idea behind AFRIFF is to make people look beyond the mono economy culture of Nigeria.  “We have to shift from depending solely on oil because the film industry can also earn foreign currency for the country”
Sani Mua’azu, President of the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) called on the students not to limit their productivity but strive hard to become makers of qualitative films and features that the world would reckon with. He said the major problems militating against quality production of films was he lack of funds which he said has made film producers to go into production with virtually zero budgets. Other problems he said include lack of modern and up to date equipments, outdated studios and other production materials.  Edward Ossai, Head of Planning of NFI stressed the need for film education and thanked  AFRIFF for introducing the film festival as it would go a long way in providing networking opportunities for the students so they can compete with their contemporaries in the world.
Founded in 2009, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has a vision to create a platform for the world to zoom in on the diversity and creativity of Africa through motion pictures. Starting December 2010, in the tradition of the likes of the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, AFRIFF will unite film makers from across the world on the African soil.  It will hold yearly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria hosting both local and international film-makers, celebrities, actors, directors, film buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, amateurs, film lovers and the media.