BY
ADA DIKE
Organisers of the Nolly Awards announced
recently that the fourth edition of its awards will hold at Land Mark Event
Center, Victoria Island, Lagos on May 1, 2016.
This was disclosed at a press briefing
held in Lagos. Nolly Awards, formerly known as Nollywood Movies revealed that
it has changed its name to Nolly Awards. The oragnisers began by saying that,
“We are pleased to announce that we are changing our name from Nollywood Movies
to Nolly Awards. The rebranding is more than just a mere logo make-over; it is a
reflection of our commitment to growth and quality within Nollywood is a
reflection of their commitment to growth and quality within Nollywood.”
They maintained that Nolly Awards is not
just an award but their passion, and added that, “Four years on, we remain
unique in our exclusive focus on Nigeria’s film industry and passionate about
transforming it through the recognition and celebration of its diversity and
promising future.”
The Nolly Awards technical director,
Kingsley Ogoro emphasized that the anticipation of this year’s edition is huge.
"We are 100 percent Nollywood. For
us, we see it as a market that needs attention. We need to grow it, reward the
player and help sell it to the world,” says the Creative Coordinator, Lolo
Eremie.
According to the Artistic Director, Kola
Muniz, a-13-team panel of judges, all alumni and critics of Nollywood including
Group MD/CEO of FilmOne Distribution Limited and Filmhouse
Cinemas Nigeria, Kene Mparu,
Moses Babatope, among others including non Nigerians, are working
tirelessly to ensure that the nominees and winners are honestly selected. “We
are determined to make sure that we start on time. This is ours, this is
strictly Nigerian. We implore everyone to get involved. We run away from
tradition that people come for an award when they know they won. We are not
letting winners know till they are announced at the event.”
Explaining why they came from the
diaspora to host Nolly Awards in Nigeria, the Executive Director, Dipo Winsala
said, “We came from the diaspora to host Nolly Awards in Nigeria because
charity begins at home. We are what we are and we are doing it the way we feel
is honourable. They are over 50 youths who went through training through the
British Film Institute. What happens in the industry is close to our hearts.
Whatever we give is discerning. Oscar has never been done outside America, that
is why we decided to host Nolly Awards in Nigeria. This year, the whole of
Europe will watch Nolly Awards, live.”
Set up in 2012 by Nollywood Movies, a
movie channel in the United Kingdom, to reward
professionals from various disciplines
across Nollywood; from directors and actors to make up artistes and sound designers,
that have contributed to the success of globally renowned movies reflecting
Nigeria’s vast and diverse cultural heritage. Some of the past winners include
Mercy Johnson, Obi Emelonye, among others.
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