Veteran actors such as Francis Duru, Hanks Anuku, filmmakers, producers, and other players in Nigerian movie industry on Thursday stormed the 2024 edition of Inside Nollywood International Film Festival Awards (INIFFAA), which kick-started in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
INIFFAA is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of African creative minds in the creative and entertainment industry, aims at fostering collaboration, celebration of cultural diversity, and also to promote advancement of African cinema on the global stage.
These are the words of the organiser, the CEO, Inside Nollywood, Muoma Obinna who had earlier said the INIFFAA 2024 is a testament to the growth and creativity of Nollywood for the past decades.
According to him, “It is a celebration of how Inside Nollywood has evolved and how the narratives of Nollywood over the years has shaped our society as we honour those that have made this possible”.
Obinna while highlighting the programs lined up for the festival revealed that Nollywood veterans and other industry players, and watchers would be honoured at the event for their contributions to the progressive story of the nation’s film industry.
“INIFFAA 2024 promises to be a celebration of outstanding Nollywood films, providing a coveted platform for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals to gain recognition for remarkable contributions”, he said.
Speaking, the veteran nollywood actor, Francis Duru at the sideline of the event, said film industry has taken a new turn, citing decade ago, the actor said, “20 years ago it was not like this; but today Abuja has become choice film shooting location, with Cinemas and film festivals and that will bring economic benefits.
He applauded the organiser (Inside Nollywood) for hosting the festival in Abuja which he said it’s an indication the nation’s capital was becoming a hub for film business.
Founder of Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), a foremost film festival in Nigeria, Fidelis Duker said INIFFAA was an immense contribution towards showcasing business opportunities that abound in the Nigerian film industry.
He urged Governments at all levels to support such events because it has economic benefits. “All over the world, film festivals are for connection, collaborations and for the celebration of creativity which brings economic growth”, Duker said.
One of the Inside Nollywood partner, Dr Eileen Okenwa, the President of African Youth Diaspora Organisation, an American whose passion for Africa is overwhelming said this festival mean a lot because African stories need to be told in an authentic manner in the west.
“There are lot of misconception about Africa and Nigeria in the west and around the world while we need a platform to tell our own side of the story in the positive light which is very important for the African brand and also the Nigerian brand”, Dr Eileen added.
Meanwhile, filmmakers, actors, moviegoers and other industry stakeholders were held to a series of electrifying performances by artistes, and various cultural groups, including the indigenous FCT Gbagyi dancers.