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OSCARS APPROVES NIGERIAN COMMITTEE FOR SCREENING OF NOLLYWOOD FILMS

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Ahead of the 2015 Oscars, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), has approved a twelve-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders, the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), paving the way for Nigerian entries to be considered for the world’s most prestigious prizes for films.

Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar; only 5 films are chosen from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language film.

“This is a great opportunity for Nigeria to have a voice in the international film arena”, said Chineze Anyaene, filmmaker and committee chairperson.

The NOSC comprises twelve outstanding professionals who have over time proved their mettle as some of the finest in the movie industry and will select one Nollywood movie each year to be submitted for the Oscars. They include Chineze Anyaene, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba, Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Biola Alabi, Charles Novia and Shaibu Husseini.

According to Academy rules, the members will consider submissions on seven criteria, which are: story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.

Shuiabu Husseini, another member of the board agrees. “The Nollywood film industry needs to play globally so people begin to look towards us.”

Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movies from eighty-five (85) other countries for the coveted Best Foreign Language Film Award. Academy members will then pick a shortlist of five foreign language pictures ahead of the awards ceremony.

The approval of NOSC represents a milestone for the nation’s movie industry which has been recognized as one of the top largest movie industries globally. For years, stakeholders have been trying to further improve its standards and this represents a move in the right direction. Sooner or later, Nollywood movies will win – maybe consecutively even – the Oscar statuette for Best Foreign Language Picture.

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CHINEZE ANYAENE – CHAIRPERSON

Chineze Anyaene was born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria. She graduated from Regina Pacis College Abuja and later attended the university of Abuja, Nigeria. In 2005, Chineze immigrated to Los Angeles, California and began a one-year filmmaking program at the New York Film Academy. While at NYFA, she was recognized for creating an outstanding epic folktale, noted as the best “foreign film” of her graduating class.

A first time feature director, her directorial debut IJE: THE JOURNEY has received several awards both locally and internationally including the highest grossing Nigerian film by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and has still remained unbeaten till date. In March 2012, Chineze was part of the panel at a conference in Harvard Business School discussing the entertainment industries in sub-Saharan Africa. She sits as the chairperson of the Nigerian Oscar Committee.

CHARLES NOVIA

Charles Novia is generally acknowledged as an avant-garde Nollywood filmmaker. Over the years, he has been involved with Nollywood in various capacities as a Scriptwriter, Producer and Director as well as a foremost creative entrepreneur. He’s the first major Nollywood filmmaker to write a book on the workings of the film industry in Nigeria and the book; ‘Nollywood till November: memoirs of a Nollywood Insider’ since its publication in 2012, has been well received by critics and scholars of the film sector in Nigeria.

NGOZI OKAFOR

Born in Lagos Nigeria, she studied at the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria where she obtained a BSc in Mathematics/Computer Science.

With strong and growing knowledge in IT, Administration and Marketing, she was a former Managing partner at Xandria Productions Limited, a media consultancy, production and film distribution company which handled the successful theatrical and DVD release of the multi award winning and highest grossing Nigerian film, IJE: THE JOURNEY. She has since been responsible for the successful distribution of several titles under the Xandria Productions label.

Ngozi’s production credits include Line producer, producer for the Short Film ‘Life’. She is keen to stand out for mastery and excellence.

EMEKA MBA

Emeka Nkem Mba, recently appointed the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is considered by many of his peers as a leading visionary in the converged fields of media, entertainment and technology, with over 23 years cross functional experiences in the converged fields of media & broadcasting, communications technology, and regulatory policy management. Prior to this appointment by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Emeka had served for seven years between 2005 and July 2012 as Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, whilst at the NFVCB he undertook groundbreaking work in restructuring the Nigerian film industry.

Emeka has extensive experience in the media and communications fields, and is currently studying law from the External Programme of the University of London. Mr. Mba holds a B.Sc. Mass Communication, and an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) diploma in Media & Entertainment Management from the IESE Business School of New York.

CHIOMA UDE

The enigmatic founder and Executive Director of African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is an ardent film lover. An avid film watcher and commentator, her passion for the industry grew more intense after her involvement in the production of the 2007 Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) UK Roadshow. The ensuing relationship culminated in Chioma producing the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the institution of a brainchild of hers called the AMAA Charity Benefit. This novel initiative was designed to be an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform for industry practitioners and stakeholders to give back to society.

In 2009, Chioma went to become the local producer of the ION International Film Festival (IONIFF), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. She enjoys fund-raising for filmmakers and has produced some premieres for some of the best films in the Nigeria.

AKIN SALAMI

Akin Salami is a man on a mission and he is also what you would call a serial entrepreneur. He has successfully launched several businesses across a number of sectors including film production, broadcast media, banking, technology, aviation and distribution.

The Mirror Boy, OH Films’ maiden feature film has gone on to break records and to date is one of the most awarded African movies of all time with over 20 awards across the world.

Akin is also part of international partnership that developed an IPTV film distribution platform called the OHBoX with a focus to promoting Africa and African content globally. The OHBoX platform is fast-becoming the secure Nollywood movie-release platform that is designed to benefit Nigerian and African movie producers.

Akin is a proud Nigerian, an ardent lover of film, an Executive Producer, Distributor and Content Developer. He attended Government College, Ibadan and is also a University of Ife, engineering graduate.

RAMSEY NOUAH

Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah is an actor and Stunt Director, Nouah’s acting career kicked off when he starred in the Nigerian TV soap opera Fortunes. Nouah has since then appeared in numerous films starring as the lead role. In 2010, Nouah won the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Best Picture award winning film ‘The Figurine’. Ramsey is considered to be one of the most sought-after actors in Nigeria. To his credit are one hundred and forty five (145)-actor credit and more.

KENE MKPARU

Kene Mkparu is MD/CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas Nigeria, a dynamic cinema company with a combined management experience and a strategic plan to roll-out 25 cinemas over 6 years commencing in December 2012.

He is also MD of FilmOne film distribution limited. With over 20 years experience in cinema business management, Kene was MD, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas (2008-2010) and CEO, Film AFRICA UK (2005-2009). He was also General Manager with Odeon Cinemas UK (1991- 2008).

Kene has received industry achievement awards for entrepreneurship and for film production, in Nigeria and in the UK, Kene’s film production credits includes Line Producer, Producer and Cast for feature films in the UK and Nigeria.

Kene has an MSc degree in Business Systems Analysis & Design (City University, London, 2001), a Post Grad Diploma (King’s College, University of London, 1991) and a BSc Honors degree (University of Nigeria, 1988).

MILDRED OKWO

Mildred Okwo is a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Benin Creative Arts Department (UNIBEN). In 1993, she bagged a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and practiced Civil Rights, Employment and Entertainment Law in Los Angeles, California for several years before returning to Nigeria in 2007.

In 2004, Mildred presented family friend and film producer Ego Boyo with the first ten pages of her screenplay “30 Days”. The idea for 30 Days was inspired by conditions Mildred observed in Nigeria, and by December 27, 2003 an article written by popular Nigerian columnist Simon Kolawale motivated Mildred to insist on writing and producing movies that gently prick the conscience of its audience. Further, Mildred

wanted to offer a better quality production to Nollywood viewers. 30 Days became her directorial and producing debut, and it received several accolades.

Her second film titled “The Meeting” is the result of that hiatus. The meeting released in October 2012 has received and continues to receive several accolades which most recently includes Best Nigerian Feature & President Goodluck Jonathan’s award for most authentic Nigerian Feature, African International film Festival (AFRIFF) 2013.

BIOLA ALABI

Biola Alabi the Managing Director of MNET Africa was named as one of the 2012 World Economic Forum Young Global leader and has racked up a slew of awards for her progressive and inspiring African vision over the last few years, including a prestigious 2013 AABLA win as West African Business Woman of the Year. She was also named one of the 20 Youngest Power Woman in Africa by Forbes Magazine. Alabi has spent the past five years increasing M-Net’s African portfolio, where she is responsible for driving the strategic growth of African indigenous content at MNET across the continent.

In 2012 Alabi led a restructure of the AfricaMagic channels, expanding the line-up from five general entertainment channels to eight themed channels. She has also overseen 5 editions of the popular reality series Big Brother Africa – Revolution, All Stars, Amplified, StarGame and the Chase. She was the driving force behind the 2013 inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the glittering Face of Africa Finale in Lagos in 2010.

OLUMIDE AMURE

Olumide holds a Bachelors Degree (B.Sc) in Management and Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. His career has spanned several years as a Consultant with Phillips Consulting Limited before he joined Entertainment Highway Limited as one of three founding staff and later rose to become the Chief Operating Officer of the Group. He is currently the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Entertainment Highway Investment Limited and its subsidiary Highway Distribution Limited.

As a member of the Corporate Finance Team, he has been involved in enterprise development activities. Olumide was one of the founding staff of Entertainment Highway Limited (later known as Hi Media Limited. He resigned from Hi Media in January 2011 to resume as the MD/CEO of Entertainment Highway Investment Limited – a media and entertainment company with a view to invest, own, operate and/or manage media and entertainment businesses throughout Africa. Olumide is also currently the Managing Director of Bloomberg Television Africa Limited.

SHAIBU HUSSEINI

A widely traveled Culture/film journalist and critic, Shaibu writes for Nigeria’s flagship newspaper-The Guardian. Reputed to be one of the most consistent documentarist of the Nigerian movie industry dubbed Nollywood, Shaibu, an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) of the United States Department of State is an astute commentator on arts and film development in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Shaibu has written extensively on the state of the performance arts and runs columns on film/video industry in several newspapers and journals.

The Chair, for five years running now, of the College of Screeners of Africa’s premier film award-the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) and a member of the prestigious AMAA jury. He is author of Moviedom, the Nollywood Narratives- Clips on the Pioneers. His other books on film and specifically on Nollywood are in publishing.

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Photos From The Star Studded Bodex Social Media Hangout 5.0

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COSON MEMBERS CELEBRATE BUMPER =N=465.5 MILLION ROYALTY DISTRIBUTION!

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It was singing, jubilation and merriment this Tuesday, December 10, as members of Nigeria’s No 1 copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), approved a 2024 royalty distribution of a whopping =N=465.5 million for COSON members and associates. Following the approval, the distribution which is the highest in the history of the organization, began immediately as several COSON members started receiving bank alerts on their phones while still at COSON House.

They came from the East, the West, North and South of Nigeria: gaily dressed musicians who stormed Oluwaleimu Street, in the Allen Avenue Area of Ikeja where the magnificent COSON House stands sparkling in the sun, and in which COSON’s 2024 Annual General Meeting took place.

The AGM practically turned into a carnival as the former President of PMAN and Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, who presided at the General Meeting, delivered a moving address which he titled, “the COSON Spirit”.

 

The celebrated copyright warrior was praised repeatedly by joyous COSON members after delivering his speech in which he said, “We have deployed the law, like no other organization in the history of Nigeria, to form a bulwark against the people, in and out of government, who have tried everything to hijack and plunder COSON or if they fail, to kill COSON. You know the modus operandi of the vampires among our citizens: they grab every good thing in Nigeria for themselves, their friends and families with no thought for the millions of other people in our country. They are not satisfied with owning one house. In a nation where millions do not own even a hut, they grab what belongs to all of us and build 735 duplexes for themselves alone and want more as if they have a contract with the Almighty that they will never die.

“I wish to state that I have been to practically every court in the land, have mounted the witness box and testified, and have won victories on behalf of COSON that many had thought were impossible. We have retained the services of four first class senior advocates and several other senior lawyers.

“Without the decisions of those distinguished Judges of the Courts who remain committed to truth and justice, COSON, this great pan Nigerian organization that has become the nation’s most formidable agent of strength, unity, progress and growth for the creative industry, would have since been sucked dry and wiped away.“

With sadness in his voice, Chief Okoroji said, “Fellow members of COSON, let me state that I verily believe that in these hard times, we could have done more, much more for the musicians of Nigeria. It is a paradox that the institution established by the state to enable us to soar and achieve great results for our nation, conspired with carpetbaggers and fraudsters to become the greatest obstacle to our progress and success. But… we continue to fly, due to the unbreakable COSON Spirit”.

In his speech, the COSON Chairman thanked the Management led by General Manager, Mrs. Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu, for their contribution to the success of the society,

Identified at the AGM were such persons as the President of the Creative Industry Group, Amb. Felix Duke; President of the Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Eng Sharon Wilson; Afro Juju music super star, Sir Shina Peters; Reggae Music giant, Righteousman Erhabor; celebrated female singer, Stella Monye; Pop Music sensation, Alex O; Gospel Music Minister, Kenny Saint Brown; Showbiz Impresario, Koffi Da Guru, Popular entertainment die-hard, Steve Black and many more.

Also present were members of the COSON Board such as Abuja based, Chief Uche Emeka Paul, a workhorse of the Catholic Charismatic Music Ministry; Enugu based music toaster and publisher, Angus Power Nwangwu; Oge Kimono, first daughter of the unforgettable Rub-A-Dub Master, Ras Kimono who himself was a COSON die hard, before his death; renowned drummer, Richard Cole, famed producer Zdon Paporella and Gospel Music Minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi.

Hundreds of COSON members joined the jubilant AGM on-line via Zoom.

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Keynote Speech by Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director, NFVCB At the 5th Annual Gathering organized by the Nollywood Creative Minds Forum (NCMF). Four Points By Sheraton, Lagos, Nigeria

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Distinguished filmmakers, esteemed members of the Nollywood Creative Minds Forum, and honored guests, My friends in the media, Ladies and Gentlemen

 

I am delighted to address this gathering of creative minds, who are shaping the narrative of our beloved Nollywood industry. I must thank the leadership of the NCMF for extending this invitation to me. I have followed the activities of the forum from inception and attended previous editions as a film journalist. Today, even as a regulator, I can affirm that the forum has created a veritable platform for strengthening the Nollywood community through networking and collaboration. The forum has also facilitated partnerships and collaborations between Nollywood creatives and industry stakeholders. I congratulate the leadership of the forum and urge them to continue to facilitate discussions on industry trends, challenges and opportunities, with a focus on shaping the future of Nollywood.

 

Today, I have been asked to speak on a crucial aspect of our collective growth and success: the pursuit of a better filmmaking tradition. As filmmakers, we are not just storytellers; but we are custodians of our culture, our values, and our history. Our work has the power to inspire, educate, and entertain. However, with this power comes great responsibility and if you like responsiveness.

 

In recent years, Nollywood has experienced tremendous growth, with a significant increase in production quality, audience engagement, and global recognition. This year alone, Nollywood recorded more highest grossing movies than the previous years. This year alone, we saw a 120 percent surge in revenue at the box office and an increase in ticket purchase, thanks to the effort by our filmmakers to improve on production quality and storytelling. However, we must acknowledge that there is still room for improvement both in storytelling and production quality.

 

But as we strive for excellence, we must focus on developing a better filmmaking tradition that prioritizes:

 

1. Quality storytelling over this is what is trending’: Our stories should be authentic, engaging, and reflective of our diverse experiences.

2. Professionalism: We must adhere to industry standards, best practices, and ethical guidelines.

3. Innovation: We should embrace new technologies, techniques, and ideas to stay ahead of the curve.

4. Collaboration: We must foster a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and knowledge-sharing.

 

To achieve this vision, the NFVCB is committed to providing support and resources to filmmakers, including:

1. Capacity-building programs and workshops (Plans for a PRODUCERS, EXHIBITORS AND DISTRIBUTORS LAB)

2. Access to funding and investment opportunities (Letters of endorsement to those wishing to establish cinema, distribution and exhibition infrastructure

3. Facilitation of international collaborations and partnerships

 

Distinguished colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, the pursuit of a better filmmaking tradition requires a collective effort from all stakeholders. It is not just what only NCMF can do. It requires a deliberate effort by ALL to strive for the best for our industry. Therefore, I urge us to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity, innovation, and excellence.

 

Together, we can build a thriving film industry that showcases the best of Nigeria and Africa to the world.

 

I thank you for your attention

 

Dr. Shaibu Husseini

Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB)

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