Controversy as Nollywood storms 2016 TIFF

As Nollywood comes into spotlight at the on-going Toronto International Film Festival, there are strong indications that back home all is not well in the industry following the process of selection of Nigerian delegation to the festival.


Recall that while the organizers of the festival decided to make Lagos as the city of celebration for the eighth edition of their yearly city to city programme, eight Nollywood films are selected for screening at the festival.

This, however, explains why the Lagos state government was allegedly involved in the preparation cum selection of delegates to the festival, though reports indicated that governor Akinwummi Ambode was not disposed to having Lagos lead film makers to the festival on its bill. But some major stakeholders who disagreed with the claims, however, accused the Lagos state government of discriminating against non-Yorubas in terms of the selection of delegates to TIFF.

 One of the aggrieved stakeholders, comrade Alex Eyengho, who is the immediate past President of Association of Nollywood Core Producers, ANCOP, and the serving Vice President of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations,FIAPF, described the selection as one that was not only shrouded in secrecy, but also, lopsided. “I think, the selection of delegates has been tribalised.

 It is lopsided and I see a lot of nepotism there and I don’t think that is right,” he began. “What is the involvement of the guilds and associations in selecting the delegation. I was not contacted as the Vice President of FIAPF and that, to me is unfair.

 I don’t need to know the Lagos state commissioner for culture and tourism or the commissioner for Information before I would be in the delegation,” Eyengho fumed. Speaking further, he added, “I would add value in the delegation in my official capacity as the vice president of FIAPF. I find that very annoying, embarrassing and I don’t think that is good for the industry. I also found out from my interaction with the minister of culture and Information that the federal government would not be leading the delegation.

 This, to me, is very puzzling. If Nollywood is being celebrated in the city to city event of the festival, I think the minister of culture and Information should lead the delegation, so that when we arrive there with the right delegation, they will know that Nollywood and Nigeria have strong representation. Film making is not about tribalism. According to him, the said list was made up of civil servants who have nothing to do at the festival. “What has civil servants got to do in Toronto International Film Festival?’he queried, adding ‘It is film makers who merit it as people who have added value to the industry that should be in that list, but they have not done it that way.”

 While commending stakeholders who have helped to raise the bar and deepened the Nollywood brand, Eyengho said as the Vice President of FIAPF, he’s not satisfied with the process that led to the generation of the controversial list of delegates to TIFF. However, other stakeholders also have their reservations regarding the controversial list. The festival which kicked off on Thursday, has nearly 400 films from 83 countries in the line up, which closes with “The Edge of Seventeen.” Almost 140 of the films are world premieres while most have already made their debuts at other festival. The eight Nollywood films selected for screening include 76 by Izu Ojukwu and 93 Days by Steve. Gukas;

Green White Green by Abba Makama; Just Not Married by Uduak-Obong Patrick; Okafor’s Law by Omoni Oboli; Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver) by Daniel Emeke Oriahi and The Wedding Party by Kemi Adetiba. In addition, the festival’s icing on the cake for Nollywood is an onstage appearances by sultry actress Genevieve Nnaji and rave-of-the-moment filmmaker Kunle Afolayan. Tagged “In Conversation With…”, this onstage conversation will explore Ms Nnaji and Afolayan’s inspiring stories, illuminating the complex dynamics behind Nollywood’s rise to prominence at home and abroad.

 The programme also identified two fast-rising actors from Nigeria who are breaking the barriers of international collaborations. They are Lagos-born actor, singer and winner of the 2006 Amstel Malta Box Office reality TV show OC Ukeje and Lagos-based actor, model and fashion executive Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama. Opening this segment of the festival in a series of Toronto’s World Premiere is The Wedding Party, a Kemi Adetiba film that might have been picked as a sensational way to kick-start the new Nollywood-TIFF bonding.