AMP set for Eko international film festival

After a very successful outing last year at the AMP Week, the organizers have decided to re-brand, rename and completely change the concept of this year’s event. They have therefore, come up with what will henceforth be known as the AMP/Eko International Film Festival, in collaboration with the Lagos State government. According to Mr. Paul Obazele, the national president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), the body powering and packaging the festival, “Film, The Catalyst For Change: Positive,” has been chosen as the theme of this year’s event.
Speaking further on the objectives of the festival, Obazele, argued that it would definitely bring about behavioural change, with respect to motion picture issues: “Especially, the micro issues in motion picture, distributing and marketing. It will also help to effectively communicate film values and its impact on our tradition. It will assist immensely in the dissemination of information on emerging and new technologies that would ensure effective piracy management. It will also be a medium for operators in the film industry to promote their products and services. Lastly, this festival will create employment opportunities for the youths”, he posited.

While shedding more light on the motivating factors behind the coming festival, the Chairman of its Business Committee section, Mr. Fred Amata, maintained that the absence of any such festival that promotes the culture and values of the people of Lagos, to the outside world, through Nollywood, was one of the reasons for their coming on board. He further added that the growing awareness about Nollywood and its effect on the image of Nigeria to the outside world was another motivating factor. “You cannot rule out the importance of film, in the re-branding of Nigeria. Again, the prevalence of HIV infection, unhygienic practices and moral decadence among youths, can be reduced through films, which is a vehicle for communication and change,” explained Amata, a leading actor/filmmaker in Nollywood.

Also speaking, Mr. Emeka Ossai, a top actor and the Chairman of the Media Committee of the festival, disclosed that it would run for four days.
“National theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, has been chosen as the venue of this year’s festival. It begins on November 24 and ends on 27. We chose Lagos because of its strategic position. I can assure you that it will be comparable to other international film festivals globally. It will involve issues of interest, spotlights, interviews, presentations, movie screenings, awards and many more. Although, the language of communication is English and may be, Yoruba, so as to reach majority of the audience that will be attending”, Ossai stated.
Meanwhile, all the notable guilds in Nollywood, including the Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria (MORGON), have all endorsed and pledged their support for the coming festival, which is currently serenading Tinsel town.