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

…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.
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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.”
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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
I’ve Been Blacklisted In Music Industry For 13 Years – Seun Kuti
Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has claimed that he has been blacklisted in the Nigerian music industry for about 13 years due to his style of music.
He explained that because his late father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his contemporaries used their music as a form of protest against bad governance, the government invested heavily in vain artists while targeting conscious musicians.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Saleh Meditate podcast, Kuti said government’s interference has significantly affected the quality and impact of modern Nigerian music.
He, however, said being blacklisted in Nigeria doesn’t affect him much, stressing that the country is just a fraction of his fanbase.
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He said, “The impact of Fela and his contemporaries who spoke truth to power sacred the government. They made the government realised the power of artistry. So, the government invested more in artists who don’t make conscious music than artists who sing about realities.
“When I am in Nigeria, I don’t fear to say whatever I want to say. That is a lot of people are saying that I should be cancelled. I have been cancelled for about 13 years now after I performed conscious music at former Lagos State Governor Ambode’s event. Even before then, my music was heavily restricted.
“I have been cancelled for long. People think I am not cancelled because I am doing well. Nigeria has cancelled me long time but Nigeria is just like a really small percentage of my market. So, being cancelled doesn’t really affect me.”
He added that artists who are scared of being blacklisted are only scared because Nigeria makes up the bulk of their fanbase.
Entertainment
My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti
Maverick singer Seun Kuti has ruled out reconciliation with Afrobeats star, Wizkid, declaring that their rift is lifelong.
DAILY POST recalls that Seun Kuti and Wizkid fell apart after the latter claimed he was greater than Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in response to the former’s directive to fans to stop comparing the Ojuelegba crooner to the late music legend.
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When asked in a recent podcast if he has settled his beef with Wizkid, Seun Kuti said he can’t reconcile with the Starboy boss because he disrespected his late dad.
The host asked: “Have you and Wizkid settled your Beef?”
Kuti replied: “It is on for life. I don’t have anything to say about him but it is on for life. You don’t say things about my dad and then it is fine. There is no coming back from that.”
Entertainment
Why I Stopped Attending Church Service – Funke Akindele
Famous Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has opened up on why she lost interest in attending church service.
The actress who made the revelation in a Snapchat video on Sunday, stated that she stopped going to church because attention often shifted to her rather than the service.
While explaining that she’s always the one they take pictures of, the actress said she now joins church service online.
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Akindele said “Anytime I go to church, I am always the one they take pictures of. So I will join online.”
Recall that in 2022, Akindele openly identified herself with the Celestial Church of Christ.
“Every time I have challenges I go to the Celestial church quietly at night for solutions. But I have to stop hiding and publicly identify with the church”, she said.
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