The 21st Abuja International Film Festival opened with great fanfare at the prestigious Silverbird Cinemas in Abuja, showcasing the opening night film “Ebrohime Road: A Museum of Memories.” This poignant feature tells the story of the historic house where the internationally acclaimed Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, lived before his arrest for treason by the Nigerian government in 1967. The house, located within the University of Ibadan, serves as a powerful backdrop for this compelling narrative.
Before the screening of the opening film, audiences were treated to a selection of 12 other remarkable films, setting a vibrant tone for this year’s festival.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Ambassador of Cuba, the Cultural Attaché of France, and the Ambassadors of the Philippines and Japan, highlighting the festival’s international appeal.
Guest speaker Dr. Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company Ltd, delivered an inspiring address centered on the festival’s theme, “Beyond Borders – Bridging Cultures Through Cinema.” Additionally, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors, presented a thought-provoking keynote that emphasized the importance of viewing film festivals as vital distribution platforms. He announced a new waiver offered by the Federal Government for investors in community cinema projects.
Festival Director Mrs. Temitope Duker reminisced about the festival’s humble beginnings and celebrated its resilience over the past 21 years. She also voiced concerns about the lack of institutional funding from the government, stressing the crucial role that film festivals play in social and economic development.
The event saw a strong turnout of filmmakers, including industry luminaries such as Zack Orji, Francis Duru, Keppy Ekpenyong, the Aneke twins, Mr. Joshua Wang, CEO of StarTimes, legal expert Sam Kargho, SAN, and Rasaq Abdullahi, CEO of Corporate Pictures Ltd, among many others.
As the festival unfolds, it promises to be a thrilling showcase of creativity and collaboration, uniting filmmakers and audiences from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the art of cinema.
