A non-governmental organization (NGO), Girls’ Voices Initiative, has said that women in the Nigerian film industry are struggling despite telling better stories than their male counterparts.
Group CEO Carolyn Seaman had this to say during a briefing held on Friday ahead of her Premier Women’s International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFE) on March 4, 2022.
Ms. Seaman said that women are often disadvantaged and cannot thrive in the industry smoothly.
She said that the film festival organized by the NGO is part of efforts to recognize and celebrate the immense contributions of women to the industry.
The festival, which is the first of its kind, is in association with the PISCCA Program of the French Embassy and TSTV Africa, the Congolese Embassy, Zenith Bank Plc, Aero Contractors and many other partners.
Award ceremony
Some individuals and professionals from the film industry from Nigeria and other parts of the world will be honored at the festival.
Ms. Seaman said the aim of the award is to celebrate outstanding women in film globally, raise awareness and inspire cinematic standards for female filmmakers.
She said that the award ceremony is also part of the activities to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s Month.
He explained that the first edition is made up of five members of the jury from France, South Africa, Canada and Nigeria.
“The jury reviewed the competing films (feature films, animations, shorts and documentaries) and announced the winners of the WIFFEN award together with the festival committee,” he said.
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“This year trophies will be presented to winners in 16 award categories, including ‘Best Film,’ ‘Best Director,’ ‘Best Short,’ ‘Best Animated Short,’ ‘Best Student Film,’ ‘Best Child Actress,’ and much more. ”
He noted that the program will include debates, master classes and screenings of short, student, animation and documentary films from the collection of films selected from more than 3,000 film presentations from more than 130 countries around the world.
He said that film screenings and other festival activities would be accessible to the public.
“On the second day of the festival, we will hold some festival activities and host the WIFFEN Award Ceremony at the Executive Hall of the Abuja International Conference Center.”
He added that interested parties can find the film festival program and obtain tickets for the award ceremony by visiting www.wiffen.global.
She reiterated that the general public is invited to this global celebration of women in film.
The arts, entertainment and recreation sector in which the film industry is located contributed about 2.3 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
Mr. Gbajabiamila held a Nollywood Actor Training Masterclass in 2021 and said it was only sensible to recognize and celebrate Nollywood actors and actresses and others who shaped the entertainment industry.
He added that “with talent, determination and extraordinary resilience, Nigerian filmmakers have built a globally competitive entertainment industry despite the challenges and constraints in the nation’s environment.”
“With adequate investment, a supportive regulatory environment, better training and skills development, Nollywood will grow beyond our current dream and exceed our loftiest ambitions.
“It is up to all of us in government, the private sector and throughout society to identify ways we can help the industry reach the heights and we all know it is possible,” he said.