Cross River to host Africa International Film Festival

Organisers of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have announced that the third edition of the event will hold from November 10th to 17th, 2013 at the popular TINAPA resort in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

Founder and Project Director, Chioma Ude noted that the synergy created by experiencing the festival in Calabar will be something to cherish for a lifetime. She said it will be the ultimate experience for all participants from home and abroad.

The unveiling of this year’s edition which held at the Rhapsody Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, was attended by His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and his wife, Mrs Obioma Imoke. Also at the event was the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas and the cream of the Nigerian Film Industry including several Nollywood guild heads and notable stars.

Governor Imoke expressed pleasure at the union between his State and AFRIFF saying, “The Africa International Film Festival is a natural inclusion in the colorful yearlong calendar of world class activities held in Cross River State.” Attesting to this development, Mr Oronto Douglas said that the Federal Government would support the State Government efforts at promoting this film festival and other film festivals, and taking them to greater heights.

Chioma Ude expressed gratitude to the government and people of Cross River State for believing in her vision and partnering with the festival to deliver an exceptional experience in their state. She explained that AFRIFF was a platform that seeks to give expression to players in the African film industry by recognizing and rewarding excellence in the sector.

Conceived by Ude three years ago, AFRIFF presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international, actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businessmen. The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favorably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through Festival organized fora and several capacity development workshops; complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

Culled from NATION