RMD, Tana Adelana, Others Win Big As AIFF 2017 Ends In Style

The 14th edition of Abuja International Film Festival ended in grand style last weekend in the Federal Capital Territory with an award ceremony where leading actors and many hit films went home with coveted awards in 15 selected categories.

Leading the list of honourees were seasoned thespian Richard Mofe Damijo adjudged the AIFF 2017 Most Outstanding Male Actor for his role in the movie, Three Wise Men and fast rising actress, Tana Adelana picked as the Most Outstanding Female Actress with her starring role in Purple Hearts.

Also on AIFF 2017 winning chart are accomplished movie director Andy Amenechi (Outstanding In Film Directing –Purple Hearts); Blessing Effiong Egbe (Best Feature –The Women); Excess Luggage (Outstanding Comic Film); The Pride And The Glory Of Nigeria (Best Documentary); The Mechanic (Best Short Film); Kris Mok’s Abuja Taxi (Best Student Film); Blogger’s Wife (Outstanding Music Score); Remu by PixJay Images (Best Experimental); and Stanley Ohikhuare’s Behind The Wheels (AIFF Audience Choice Award).

Eric Anderson, Cross River Commissioner of Culture & Tourism with Bito Brian, winner of Best Documentary

Four foreign movies also won in different categories adjudged by a panel of movie experts.

They are Rose House– China (Best Animation); Wolf Totem – China (Best Feature Film-Foreign); Ghetto Situations –South Africa (Best Short Film) and The Master – China (Golden Jury Film).

At the closing ceremony of this year’s Festival with the theme: “Film As A Tool For National Security And Patriotism” held at Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja, special recognition awards were also conferred on some eminent Nigerians who have in one way or the other supported the industry or the nation based on the theme of the festival.

Some of the awardees include the Governors of Kano and Cross River States; Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and Prof. Ben Ayade respectively.

The Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the Chairman of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba were also honoured.

The AIFF remains one of the longest running creative events in Nigeria.

The 2017 edition featured screening of movies, awards, exhibitions, talent campus, seminars and workshops.

It also showcased a fashion runway with five fashion houses showcasing the best of Nigerian contemporary designs.
The Festival’s opening night film was The Verdict, a film made by Nigerian accomplished filmmaker and lawyer, Tunji Bamishigbin.

Speaking on the successful run of the Festival, Mrs. Temitope Duker, the newly appointed AIFF’s Festival Director, reiterated that the theme of the festival reflects the mood of the nation at the moment.

She noted that there is a need for filmmakers to begin to imbibe the notion of patriotism in their films which can only be achieved by their understanding that film has a potent role to play in the patriotism and security of any nation.
In his own contribution, Fidelis Duker, AIFF Founder said this year’s festival was a huge success as 3786 films were submitted, a number which is unprecedented for an African film festival.

“We are excited that sustainability is no more an issue with the festival as it has come to stay and now the flagship of festivals in Nigeria and West Africa,” Duker stated.

The Festival had an array of films on parade including the American Film Showcase which featured five documentaries from the United States.

There was also a Master Class on Commercial Film Production for practitioners facilitated by Katrin Hoffman, the producer of the film “If Project” and one of the documentaries on the American film showcase line up.

Notable filmmakers, actors, members of diplomatic corps and various relevant government agencies were among dignitaries in attendance at the Festival.