Filmmakers, actors and other players in the Nigerian movie industry have ‘lit up’ the 2024 edition of Inside Nollywood International Film Festival & Awards (INIFFAA), held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders hit the opening of the festival on Friday night at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, Abuja.
The 2024 edition of INIFFAA, acclaimed to be a vibrant space for filmmakers, is held from Feb. 15 to 17 in the nation’s capital.
The opening was a night of glitz and glamour, in colourful and festive ambience, which characterised film fiestas as thespians drawn from different parts of the country hit the red carpet.
Filmmakers, actors, moviegoers and other industry stakeholders were held to a series of electrifying performances by artistes, and various cultural groups, including the indigenous FCT Gbagyi dancers.
Earlier, Muoma Obinna, ace filmmaker and founder of Inside Nollywood, said INIFFAA is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of African creative minds in the entertainment industry.
He said the festival aims to foster collaboration, celebrate cultural diversity, and promote the advancement of African cinema on the global stage.
Obinna said that Nollywood veterans and other industry players, and watchers would be honoured at the event for their contributions to the progressive story of the nation’s film industry.
“INIFFAA 2024 is a testament to the growth and creativity of Nollywood over the past decades.
“It is a celebration of how Inside Nollywood has evolved and how the narratives of Nollywood over the years has shaped our society as we honour those that have made this possible.
“INIFFAA 2024 promises to be a celebration of outstanding Nollywood films, providing a coveted platform for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals to gain recognition for their remarkable contributions.
“It will present a lot of conversations concerning the creative economy, and I implore the public and anybody that is interested in the entertainment business to come join us at this event,” he said.
Some of the celebrities, who spoke with NAN on the sideline, lauded the annual INIFFAA, adding that hosting it in Abuja was an indication the nation’s capital was becoming a hub for film business.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, commended the organisers for holding the event in the FCT as part of efforts to bring more of film business here.
“Some 20 years ago it was not like this; but today Abuja has become a choice film shooting location, with Cinemas and film festivals and that will bring economic benefits,”he said.
Fidelis Duker, founder of Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), a foremost film festival in Nigeria, said INIFFAA was an immense contribution towards showcasing business opportunities that abound in the Nigerian film industry.
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“All over the world, film festivals are for connection, collaborations and for the celebration of creativity which brings economic growth.
“That is why we have been saying that governments at all levels should support events like this because of their economic benefits.
“This festival will bring people from different places who will take local transport, lodge in hotels and eat food, and that will generate money for people doing business here,” he said. (NAN)
