THREE 2015 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR — #Africa

This blog brings you the best and latest of African talent and art; on the continent and in the diaspora. Here are 3 movie finds that would be worth checking out-

thE CeO

Synopsis: TransWire Communications is a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees amongst his most senior level staff across Africa on a Leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria.

Popular Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, on Thursday in a press conference unveiled the full details of his next movie, The CEO. The film showcases a cross-selection of African & international cast and crew members with diverse talents and backgrounds.

The cast includes Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, entertainer and activist from Benin, Angélique Kidjo; Haitan actor and model Jimmy Jean-Louis, best known for his role as The Haitan on the NBC television series Heroes;  actor and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema movement, Wale Ojo; French-Ivorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatym Layachi; Kenyan actor Peter King, and Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo among others.

 

Synopsis – The CEO tells the story of TransWire Communications, a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired; hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees among his most senior-level staff across Africa on a leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria. The process that started relatively smoothly suddenly climaxed in a game of an intriguing death.

(Trailer not yet released) To stay updated, follow on Facebook here or follow the hashtag #theceomovie on social media

FifTy

Hot off its selection for the 2015 BFI London Film Festival, EbonyLife Films today released the official trailer for its highly acclaimed feature film, Fifty. The movie stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim.

Directed by Biyi Bandele and executively produced by Mo Abudu, FIFTY, captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are forced at midlife to take inventory of their personal lives, while juggling careers and family against the sprawling backdrops of the upper middle-class neighbourhoods of Lagos.

The trailer is a sneak peek into this tender but unflinching exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, life and loss in twenty-first century Lagos. The four lead characters, six-inch heels, partying hard and loving strong, with courage and fortitude, navigate life’s unending curveballs.

Fifty will premiere in a special grand Lagos ceremony on the 13th of December 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and will be released in cinemas nationwide on the 18th of December 2015.

In the meantime, for more information, visit the website: www.fiftythemovie.com  or follow on Twitter: @Fiftythemovie; Instagram: @fiftythemovie or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FiftyTheMovie

beAsTs of No NaTioN

The powerful new film starring Idris Elba recently had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will screen at the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, and London Film Festival. Beasts of No Nation, A Netflix Original Film.

Synopsis – When civil war tears his family apart, a young West African boy is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transform into a child soldier. Available in select theaters and on Netflix October 16.

Written and directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Fukunaga (“True Detective,” Sin Nombre) and starring Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (“Luther,” Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom), Beasts of No Nation will debut Friday, October 16, 2015, the same day in Landmark theatres in the U.S. and worldwide on Netflix in all territories where the world’s leading Internet TV network is available.

Beasts of No Nation is based on the highly-acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, bringing to life the gripping tale of Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Newcomer Abraham Attah gives a stunning portrayal of Agu, while Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.

The film is produced by Amy Kaufman and Cary Fukunaga (who previously worked together on Sin Nombre), Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker and Dan Crown for Red Crown Productions, along with Elba. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King are executive producers for Participant Media; Donna Gigliotti is executive producer for Levantine Films; Elizabeth Koch and Kristina Kendall are executive producers for New Balloon; and Bill Benenson, Laura Bickford and Todd Courtney are also executive producers.

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Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing

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CULTURAL CONFIDENCE BY @yorubaculture OPENS TONIGHT IN NEW YORK

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series presents: CULTURAL CONFIDENCE 

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series is pleased to present its second annual forum, themed Cultural Confidence: Acquiring and negotiating authentic cultural identity in a globalized world. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Nigeria and 54 years of Nigerian independence, NDFS will screen world-class films of New Nollywood and host panel discussions on pertinent issues facing Nigerians at home and abroad. (Buy tickets) Presented in partnership with NYU Africana Studies and the Yoruba Cultural Institute, NDFS Cultural Confidence promises to be even more exciting than last year’s event.

With a line up of incredible minds and talents –actors, producers, writers and other key stakeholders—delving into issues of critical importance at this time in history, Cultural Confidence will build significantly on the conversation begun last year. With a larger and more improved film selection, increased opportunities for networking and increased dialogue, this year’s event will demonstrate and define cultural confidence through film, fashion and music; giving participants the opportunity to assess their individual level of cultural confidence and to receive the means of acquisition. – See more

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Official Press Release

New Nollywood Rebrands Nigeria

2^nd Annual Nollywood Forum to Focus on Cultural Confidence at NYU Oct 9-12

NEW YORK, NY – October 3, 2014 – The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series will host its second annual forum at NYU Kimmel Center next weekend, October 9-12. In commemoration of Nigeria’s centennial and 54 years of independence, NDFS will explore the notion of cultural confidence with film screenings and panel discussions featuring notable African filmmakers, actors, producers and designers.

In addition to the US premiere of critically acclaimed October 1 by leading Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan–who the New York Times called an “African Scorsese”–special guests Adepero Oduye (Twelve Years a Slave, Pariah), Gbenga Akinnagbe (24, The Wire), Wunmi Olaiya and others will engage NYU filmmakers and the larger community on issues facing Nigerians, using film as basis to explore the role of the Diaspora in social change in Africa.  “Of special interest to us is the role that film can play in elevating the social consciousness of Nigerians and the image of Nigerians across the world,” says Ololade Siyonbola, NDFS founder.

On the theme of Cultural Confidence, Andrew Dosunmu, whose film Mother of George will screen at the mini-festival, said “Knowing oneself…it’s the greatest wealth one can have.”

In addition to Dosunmu’s film, the forum will feature Supreme Price, by award-winning filmmaker and Harvard lecturer Joanna Lipper, which highlights the legacy of Nigeria’s first democratically elected president—MKO Abiola—from the perspectives of his wife, Kudirat, leader of the pro-democracy movement, and daughter, Hafsat Abiola.

Biyi Bandele’s Half of a Yellow Sun and a number of short films will also screen. The forum opens with a reception Thursday October 9, followed with The Supreme Price screening on Friday and Half of a Yellow Sun, Mother of George and October 1 on Saturday with panel discussions to open the day. Cultural workshops take place Sunday October 12.

For more information on the forum, visit http://nollywood.filmseries.co

Tickets: http://culturalconfidence.eventbrite.com

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6cbZTUqRj0

October 1 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7wJuPv_7o

NDFS Cultural Confidence is sponsored by VLISCO, Holland Textiles, Sonna Textiles, Africa Magic GO!, Yoruba Cultural Institute, NYU Africana Studies.

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series is a platform created to rebrand Nollywood and bring international attention to New Nollywood, Nigerian cinema of international standards, which teaches about Nigeria’s cultures and peoples with authenticity, texture and beauty.

Media Contact: Ayodele St. Louis
917.426.6716
nollywood@filmseries.co

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Special Guests ADEPERO ODUYE, WUNMI OLAIYA,GBENGA AKINNAGBE, LOZA MALÉOMBHO, KUKUA ODOI, AWAM AMKPA, BUSAYO OLUPONA and KUNLE AFOLAYAN

Saturday Oct 11, 2014

7.30p.m @ NYU Kimmel Center.
60 Washington Square South.
New York

OCTOBER 1, the film everyone in Nigeria is talking about, will have it’s US debut at CULTURAL CONFIDENCE. This HISTORIC film is the epitome of what NDFS (Nollywood Diaspora Film Series) was created for — culturally relevant, world class storytelling.

BUY Tickets in advance here and tickets also available at the door

Q & A with Director Kunle Afolayan all the way from Lagos, Nigeria! Dont Miss out, Spread the word, Come one! Come All!

NDFS brings you a weekend Films, Panels and Networking. For full program of weekend activities from Thursday 9th Oct – Sunday 12th Oct visit: http://filmseries.co

 SPECIAL GUESTS: Adepero Oduye Gbenga Akinnagbe Wunmi Olaiya Joanna Lipper

FILMS: Supreme Price Half of a Yellow Sun More films TBA **A portion of proceeds benefits the Joyful Joy Foundation**

Connect with them on Social Media: #CULTURALCONFIDENCE October 9-12, 2014

Location: NYU Kimmel Center* 60 Washington Square S, New York City, NY 10012

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

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