PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, August 10, 2015: Nigerian Films will soon be showcased on the big screen in 3rd Woodpecker International Film Festival (WFF). Known for its focus on issue-based cinema, this globally acclaimed film festival will have a special segment on Nigerian Films in its world panorama section. The festival will be organised from September 17-20 at Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi.
According to Narender Yadav, Founder Director, Woodpecker International Film Festival (WFF), the festival is going to be a unique platform to promote Nigerian cinema in India. “It’s for the first time that a serious attempt is being made to bring Nigerian cinema to the Indian audience. I am sure this is going to be an enriching experience for cinema lovers in India. At the same time, these films will also attract large number of Nigerian youths, who are in New Delhi either for their higher studies or for work. Overall, it’s going to be an exciting feature of our festival this year .”
Selected Nigerian Films
Brothers directed by Azubuike Erinugha – A young German lady arrives a remote village in Nigeria, Africa, to discover coded cultural differences, similarities, taboos and possible meeting points.
Bedlam directed by David Nnaji. A career driven young man abandons his family for work. His determination for success had a negative effect on his relationship with his spouse relentlessly. She had to take a drastic measure to make him realise that family values are much more important than pursuing his profession.
Knocking on Heaven’s Door directed by Desmond Eliot. It tells a story of the marital relationship between Debbie (Adesuwa Etomi) and Moses (Blossom Chukwujekwu), and how an untold story from Moses’ past tries to jeopardize their seemingly flawless union. The story takes an intriguing turn when a music producer Thomas Dacosta (Majid Michel) enters into their lives.
Thy will be Done directed by Obi Emelonye – The Pastor of a large church in Lagos has a normal life until one day his wife, who died 7 years ago, returns.
Doll House directed by Kayode Peters. The sudden disappearance of young teenage girls gets the attention of special unit head Angela Johnson,.Otairu Makoju and Issac whose sister got missing under similar circumstances. They go desperately in search only for more revelations to surface. Doll house is a movie about a cosmetic surgeon who uses her fame and social stance for illicit trade.
Silent Tears directed by Ishaya Bako – A documentary on Nigerian women and emancipation.
Half of a Yellow Sun directed by Biyi Bandele. Twin sisters (Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose) from a wealthy Nigerian family take wildly different paths in life, but both become swept up in the struggle to establish Biafra as an independent republic. Based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling novel, this is Bandele’s directorial film debut.
October 1 directed by Kunle Afolayan – In 1960, a Nigerian police detective is dispatched to investigate the murders of women in a small community.
Champagne – directed by Emem Isong – Nigerian romantic thriller film, produced and directed by Emem Isong. It stars Majid Michel, Alex Ekubo, Mbong Amata, Susan Peters, Tana Adelana, Kokotso Charlotte, and introduces Rosemary Zimu as Champagne. This is Emem Isong’s first film as a director.
Festival Jury
The festival for this year’s edition is headed by acclaimed actor and theatre director Mr. Avijit Dutt. The Jury also has Nigerian writer and filmmaker Mr Onyeka Nwuele. Other esteemed members of the Jury include Oscar Nominated director-producer, writer and actor Ms. Ajita Suchitra Veera, journalist Mr. Mihir Shrivastav and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Member Mr. Ashieem Kaisthaa
About the Organiser
The film festival is part of the ‘Cinema for Change’ initiative launched by CMSR foundation, a not-for-profit Trust, based in New Delhi, to promote issue-based cinema globally. The foundation has been established to harness the power of information, education and communications to achieve desired social change. Communication for Social development, education, public health, rural development, environment and media constitute the broad operational areas of CMSR foundation.
(www.cmsrfoundation.org)
