Monday, 19 August 2013

Fela! In Lagos, other films to be screened in Life House annual film festival


The Life House will hold the third edition of the Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival (AFF) in Lagos.

Titled: 'Great Migrations', this year's edition that will run from September 28 to October 1, according to its organizer, Mrs. Ugoma Adegoke, will be organized in collaboration with partners namely: the African Film Festival Inc., New York, and Nadia Denton.
In her words: “Lights, Camera, Africa!!! 2013 will hold feature and documentary film screenings, workshops, discussions in line with this year's festival theme at the British Council, Southern Sun Hotel, Wheatbaker Hotel and Freedom Park in Lagos.
 'Great Migrations' refers to our global village increasingly shrunk by technology. As a result, our ideas, data and people travel further and faster than ever before, re-shaping our worldscape. These migrations occur in the physical and metaphysical spheres. They can bring people closer or cause paradigm shifts,” she explained.  
Furthermore, she added that the festival, which is broadening its repertoire to include genres such as animation will be screening dozens of movies this year, exploring various types of migration from and to Africa. “They include Chinonye Chukwu's Alaskaland, the coming-of-age story of a Nigerian raised in Alaska and Mark Gettes' Fela! In Lagos which follows the cast of the Broadway production as they connect with the musical icon's city.  But there's also Mugabe: Villain or Hero, where director Roy Agyemang examines how perceptions of the controversial figure have evolved, and many more thought-provoking films.

Other highlights include fairs, talks and concerts that will intersperse the programming, showcasing other forms of African art beyond film.

She explained that the Life House, through its film programme, aims to ensure that stories by African filmmakers are also enjoyed by an African audience. “These audiences do not often have the opportunity to view quality African films that portray their lives in multi-dimensional ways. The Life House conceived the Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival to stimulate discourse on issues and experiences rooted in the African experience.  
“For almost twenty years, AFF has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the medium of film. AFF's unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management but a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. The AFF has partnered with the Life House for the past two editions of the Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival.
“Nadia Denton, based in the UK, is a programmer, critic and educator that has worked in the film industry for the past ten years, specializing in the black film scene. Denton, who authored The Black British Filmmaker's Guide To Success, is currently working on a Nigerian-focused sequel, The Nigerian Filmmaker's Guide to Success: A New Chapter in Nigerian Cinema. Denton is collaborating with the Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival for the first time this year,” she said.

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