The Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF) recently concluded its 2023 edition. Spanning three days from November 30th to December 2nd, the festival emerged as a vibrant destination for both local and international filmmakers, setting the stage for a compelling exploration of the diverse narratives within the world of cinema through artistry and dialogue,
Submission Numbers
ESIFF’s 2023 edition witnessed a surge in participation, with a staggering 3,217 film submissions. Among these, 486 films were selected, including 446 shorts and 40 feature-length films, reflecting the festival’s commitment to showcasing a rich tapestry of storytelling.
Opening Film
The festival kicked off with the opening film, Scar produced by Rok Studios. Directed by Chris Eneng, the gripping drama delves into the complexities of religious unrest in Northern Nigeria, weaving a narrative that explores faith, survival, and redemption. The film’s exploration of religious violence set a poignant tone for the emotionally charged festival.
Notable Festival Attendees
The star-studded 3-day event saw the convergence of entertainment and film stars, including the likes of Carol King, Alibaba, Paul Obazele, Fred Amata, Lancelot Imasuen, Ibrahim Suleiman, Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Mary Njoku, Judith Audu, Jay Franklyn Jituboh, Xavier Ighorodje, Kenneth Gyang, Linda Osifo, Uzee Usman, Shawn Faqua, Chris Uwagbai, Daro Umaigba, Etinosa Idemudia and many others. Their presence underscored one of the festival’s purposes to engage in meaningful dialogue revolving around the art of cinema.
Panel Sessions
The fireside chat discussion provided festival attendees with valuable insights into the industry’s intricacies. Notable speakers, including Victor Sanchez Aghahowa ( Festival Chairman, Head Of Production Multichoice West Africa) Jay Franklyn Jituboh (The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi), and Kabat Esosa Egbon shared their expertise on telling culturally relevant stories, while Adedeji Babalola, Africa Magic Acquisition Specialist, provided insights into what buyers look for in selected scripts during the fireside chat on day one.
The second day of ESIFF was marked by insightful panel sessions, which started with a focus on the aggregation of film and culture in Edo State. It featured luminaries such as Governor Obaseki, Mary Njoku (Founder/CEO of Rok Studios), Olubukunola Oloyede (Country Manager – Marketing & Partner Relations at Sony), Edu Okeke (MD Azura Edo), Alhaji Adedayo Thomas (DG Nigeria Censors Board), and Victor Sanchez Aghahowa (Anchor).
Governor Obaseki, during the discussion, highlighted the importance of a robust foundation in basic education and addressed challenges such as illegal migration. He shared his commitment to creating job opportunities through initiatives like Edo Jobs, the Edo creative hub, and the Edo film projects, all aimed at supporting the creative ecosystem and attracting filmmakers to the state.
In the second panel of the day, the Business Of Film: Cinema as a Commercial Window for Film Marketing was discussed. It covered writing for film and television and understanding the audience. The panelists include Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Kene Mkpar (President/ CEO, KOMWORLD) Cinemas, Peddie Okao (CEO Prolens Movies Limited).
The final day of ESIFF featured a compelling panel discussion titled Edo State and the Edo Film Project: Using ESIFF as a Springboard for Development. Panelists, including Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Head of Productions at Multichoice; Aigbeze Uhimwen, Senior Project Assistant at TOM; Kabat Esosa Egbon, Edo Film Project Head; Dr. Victor Okhai, National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria; Mark Szilagyl of Film Akademie; and Uche Agbo, Chairman of the Nigerian Film Festival Association, discussed the potential for growth and collaboration within the industry.
Mark Szilagyl from Film Akademie particularly highlighted the importance of skill development, job creation, and potential collaborations with the government. He shared plans for a groundbreaking German-Nigerian Sci-fi film set to be filmed in Edo State in 2025, signaling exciting prospects for international collaborations.
AWARD WINNERS
The festival concluded with a glamorous awards night at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, where Governor Godwin Obaseki emphasized that the Edo State International Film Festival was designed to serve as a marketplace for films, fostering an environment for creative exchange and industry growth.
See the full list of winners below
BEST FEATURE FILM
Ifediche (WINNER)
Osato
Leaked
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Obito (WINNER)
Teacher’s Day
Shock
BEST SHORT FILM
Edeleyo (WINNER)
Obito
The Delectable Azeezah Samah
BEST DIRECTOR
Obito (WINNER)
Kaseko
BaNi(MudClan)
BEST STUDENT FILM
The Mail Thief (WINNER)
Take Back The Night
Little star
BEST ACTOR (MALE)
The Delectable Azeezah Sama– Jinmi Ahmed (WINNER)
Poached– Chukwuebuka Ude
Story Story– Adedamola Akapo
BEST ACTOR (FEMALE)
Osato– Phyna (WINNER)
Ifedichie– Chinelo Rosemary
Revisit– Evaezi Ogoro
BEST ACTOR(CHILD)
Ek Bhagavad Ek Gita (WINNER)
Revist– Ejiro Asagba
Shock – Song Bethuel
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ek Bhagavad Ek Gita (WINNER)
Log Diaries
Obito
BEST COSTUME
Ek Bhagavad Ek Gita (WINNER)
Legs
Full Circle
BEST MAKEUP
Sleeping Dogs (WINNER)
Rise of Xirus
Ek Bhagavad Ek Gita
BEST ANIMATION
Dead Silent (WINNER)
The Corner Stand
Brawl for the Relic
BEST SCREENPLAY
Obito (WINNER)
Poached
Kaseko
BEST DOCUMENTARY
I Will Never Leave You (WINNER)
A Silence
Immortal
BEST USE OF TECH
Teacher’s Day (WINNER)
11 Mile Impact
New Birth
BEST SOUND
Obito (WINNER)
Golden Shopping Arcade
New Birth
BEST EDITING
The Book Of Martin (WINNER)
Waking Up
Nafas Nakesh (Don’t Breath)
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Addressing concerns about sustainability, Governor Obaseki announced the formation of a trust, stating, “We will constitute a trust made up of a spectrum of people and players in the movie industry.” This commitment to establishing a trust underscored ESIFF’s dedication to ensuring the festival’s long-term impact on Nigeria’s film culture even after regime change.
In its 2023 edition, the Edo State International Film Festival not only celebrated the art of cinema but also served as a catalyst for discussions on industry challenges, growth opportunities, and the role of film in societal development. As the curtains closed, ESIFF left a memorable mark on the landscape of state-backed film festivals, promising a bright and sustainable future for the art of storytelling in Edo State and beyond.
What Kept Me Up was a media partner of the Edo State International Film Festival 2023.
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