Entertainment

94 Countries Jostle For Maiden Edition Of Edo Film Festival, 1,551 Movie Entries Received

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2022

…Over 200 Movies To Be Shown In Different Locations

…To Reward Winners With $6,000

The Managing Director of Edo State Skills Development Agency, EdoJobs, Ukinebo Dare says no fewer than 1,551 movie entries have been received from 94 countries for the maiden edition of
Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF).

The Managing Director who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City, ahead of the commencement of the film fiesta, said the event is organised by the Edo State Government in collaboration with private sector partners aimed at spurring the state’s booming creative industry.

The state also unveiled the logo and brand ambassadors for the film festival.

The ambassadors include Nollywood actor and film producer, Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, and actress and television host, Linda Osifo.

Dare said the event, scheduled to hold between September 1st and September 4, 2022, aims at boosting the film industry and repositioning the state as a choice location for film and television productions.

She further noted that, as part of the festival, over 200 movies will be shown at different locations in the state, providing an opportunity for networking and developing talents in the state’s creative sector.

Dare said, “Edo State International Film Festival has received 1,551 movies as entries for the festival from 94 different countries. We have an international jury, including film professors and filmmakers from around the world that will watch all these films and select the best movie from these entries that will be shown during the festival. The festival holds from 1st to 4th of September, 2022.”

Noting that winners will receive up to $6,000 in rewards, the EdoJobs Managing Director added, “We have three categories in the festival that have cash prizes of $2,000 each. These categories include the best student film; the best film shot with a phone or a tablet and best used technology in the filmmaking. The winners will be announced during the film festival.”

She continued: “We are going to have 200 movies showing for four days at three different locations in the state as it will create opportunities for film critics, content producers and movie celebrities to interact and build a strong network to improve the art and craft of film making in the state.

“We will be partnering with some reputable organisations to ensure the film festival is a success.”

On his part, the Festival Director, Mr. Davison Izegaegbe, said the film festival will include several training programmes to further expose creatives in the state and showcase the Edo film industry to the international market.

He noted, “The film festival is not for the fun of showing movies but to attract and expose film makers to the international market.”

Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Hon. Bamidele Olaitan said, “This event is another initiative of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to restore the hope of the Edo people.

“This festival has allowed us to embark on a journey to tell our stories ourselves to the world and change our narratives as well as market ourselves and our cultural heritage to the world.”

Entertainment

Nollywood Actor, Ibrahim Chatta, Loses ‘Son’

Published

10 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta has been thrown into mourning following the death of his son.

The actor announced the loss through a post on his Instagram page on Saturday.

Posting a picture of the late boy, he captioned, “Inna liLlahi wa inna ileyhi rajiun.

“Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things Rest on Dear Son. Champ💔💔💔💔”

The post has, however, continued to generate reactions from fans and colleagues of the actor, who have taken to the comments section to commiserate with him over the development.

An actress, Tawa Ajisefini wrote, “Haaaaa Subuhanallah. I’m so sorry uncle. condolences.”

Also reacting, “Jamiu Azeez commented, “Haaaaaa God pls have mercy on us 00 dadad this is too much o.”

However, it could not be confirmed whether the deceased is his biological son or relative as of the time of filing this report.

The news comes just days after veteran actress Peju Ogunmola lost her only child, Ayomikun, an incident that also left the entertainment industry in grief.

Entertainment

Why I Can Share My Husband With My Friend — Regina Daniels

Published

1 day ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Popular Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has revealed why she can share her husband with her friend, explaining that she would be willing to do so if the friend had been single for too long.

The actress, who is married to Senator Ned Nwoko, made this revelation in a recent post via the Insta-stories section of her official Instagram page, where she has 15.3 million followers.

In the post, Regina Daniels reshared a reel of a lady who said she decided to lend her man to her best friend who had been single for over six months.

Words overlaid on the reel read: “My friend was single for over 6months so I lent her my man.”

Supporting the idea, Regina Daniels reposted the video and added her own take, stressing that she could also do the same for her friend if the situation arose.

She wrote: “Something I can do though.”

Entertainment

Why I Left Fela’s Band – Femi Kuti Reveals

Published

1 day ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Femi Kuti, a popular Nigerian musician and the first son of the Afrobeat founder, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has revealed why he left his father’s band.

Femi made the disclosure during his recent appearance on Afropolitan podcast.

Speaking about his decision to part ways with Fela’s music band, Femi Kuti disclosed that he left to discover his own identity because “I did not have any possibility of my life”.

“Growing up in school, everybody would be like ‘aren’t you going to be like your dad or won’t you play music? I was pressured to be like my father.

“If I wanted to play music, I had to be Femi Kuti. I used the same mathematical thought that I cannot be Fela. I began to wear the same outfits with my father because I used to stay with my mother before I ran away to stay with him.

“I was like mini Fela because he usually dresses me like himself. I just thought I should better look for myself fast, or I’m going to be a very unhappy man. So I went back to my mother.

“The moment I formed my band, his fan base descended on me. It was very difficult to find a good write up about me then because the press hated me and at this time, there was no internet for me to defend myself.

“Being under my father, I didn’t have any possibility of my own life, including having children. I saw my life in his life,” the 63-year-old stated