21st Abuja International Film Festival unveils dazzling selection from across the globe
By Editor
THE 21st edition of the prestigious Abuja International Film Festival is poised to captivate audiences with a carefully curated selection of cinematic gems, gathered from a staggering pool of 1,254 submissions originating from 45 countries. Set to unfold from October 28th to November 1st, 2024, this year’s festival promises to be a celebration of diversity, creativity, and unparalleled talent in the world of cinema, a statement from the festival founder and director Mr. Fidelis Duker has said.
Among the standout films chosen to grace the festival’s screens are works like “Four Quarters” from Russia, Mending and Kaka from Nigeria, 404.1 from Morocco, Jagun Jagun from Nigeria, Leo’s Party from Brazil, Widow’s Gift from Ghana, and the gripping Over the Bridge, alongside a host of other exceptional entries. Each film brings a unique perspective, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of storytelling from around the globe.
The competition is fierce in the running for the coveted titles of Best Actor and Best Actress, with luminaries such as Femi Adebayo, Ozy Agu, and Stan Eze hailing from Nigeria, and the skilled Dave Hayllar representing the USA. The male category further showcases international talent with Alejandro Cooper from Namibia stealing the limelight. In the female category, the competition is just as fierce, featuring the remarkable performances of Tana Adelana, Omowunmi Dada, and Kehinde Bankole from Nigeria with Kara Wang from the US competing against the likes Hassna Monni from Morocco.
As the Abuja International Film Festival gears up to welcome filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, it promises an immersive cinematic experience that transcends borders and connects hearts through the power of storytelling.
AIFF Founder/Director, Mr. Fidelis Duker
MEANWHILE, the full list of winners of films at the 14th Abuja International Film Festival has been unveiled. The Best Documentary (feature) category has Let Wisdom of Ancient Civilizations Shine through the Future – China, Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory – Nigeria, The Last Island – Italy, Sofia Will Return – Spain, The Mirror Parajanov – France, Dela – The Making of el Anatsui – Nigeria and Accidental Spy – US. For Best Documentary (short), there are Lucy – A Pioneer Destiny – Italy, Women of Bissau – Spain, Our Monique – Cameroon, Chained Silence Speaks Chapter 1 – US, No Food for Lazy Man – Nigeria, You Hide Me – Ghana and End of Trip Sahara – Spain. Best Animation has Your Democracy – US, Dawn – Cameroon, Vainglorious – US, Joule – Australia, The Forest of Honest Bees – France and Turkey Pinky Pants – US.
For Best Experimental Films, there are Pre-Existing Freedom – US, Tage Im Winter – Germany, Ya Hanouni – France, Sodade – Cape Verde, Evil spirit, Get Out! – Nigeria, The Prophesy – Senegal and Operation Wakaliga – Fate and Blood – Uganda/Israel. For Best Short Screenplay, Oke Okuta – Nigeria, Red Is Rose – Ghana, Jujuman – UK, 12 Hour – Nigeria, The Golden Boy – UK and Fading Echo – Nigeria. Best Featue Screenplay has Turns – Nigeria, Leo’s Party – Brazil, Kaka – Nigeria, Dystopik – Film Study and Notes for an Agony – France, Jagun Jagun – Nigeria, Kismet – Cameroon, My Love from Another Land – Uganda/Nigeria and Four Quarters – Russian Federation.
Best feature film, foreign category are The Umesh Chronicles – India, End of the River – Bulgaria, Four Quarters – Russian Federation, Wayungu – Honduras, Widows Gift – Ghana, Peripheric Love – Switzerland, Against All – Angola, Dead Men’s Wish – Cameroon and 404.1 – Morocco. Best Feature, Indigenous category has Kaka – Prince Aboki Daniel, Jagun Jagun – Adebayo Tijani, Adunni Ogidan’birin – Yemi Amodu, Mending – Roberts Peters and Unknown Pandemic – Tunde Olaoye, Over the Bridge – Tolulope Ajayi, Mzingo Burden – Emmanuel Ikubeze and My Name Is Misan – Uyoyou Adia. Best Short Film, Nigeria has Nkem – Ayodele Ogundipe, Oke Okuta – Adeola Osunkojo, The Hotel Room – Uyoyou Adia, Sa’ana – Bola Adebisi, Cry Me Awake – Smart Edikan, Betrayal of the Stars – Esther Effiong and 12 Hours – Tobe Nosike. Best Short Film, Foreign has We Need to Talk about Consent – Jamaica, Valet – US, Golden Boy – UK, What We Don’t Say – Spain, Unexpected End – Canada and Red Is for Rose – Ghana. Best Film in Editing has Four Quarters – Russian Federation, A Warm Christmas – Nigeria, Peripheric Love – Switzerland, Jagun Jagun – Nigeria, 404.1 – Morocco, Duty – Nigeria, Over the Bridge – Nigeria and Lucy – A Pioneer Destiny – Italy. Best Student Film has The Prophesy – Senegal, The Feelings I Wear – Nigeria/US and Evil Spirit, Get Out – Nigeria.
For Outstanding Male Actor, there are Streets of Deceit – Dave Hayllar, Over the Bridge – Ozy Agu – Nigeria, Lukas – Alanjandro Cooper – Namibia, Unknown Pandemic – Jidekene Achufusi – Nigeria, Kisum – Novo Imonieroh – Nigeria, Jagun Jagun – Femi Lateef Adebayo – Nigeria, 12 Hours – Stan Eze – Nigeria and Leo’s Party – Authur Ferreira – Brazil. Outstanding Female Actress has From Embers – Aara Wang – US, Unknown Pandemic – Kehinde Bankole – Nigeria, Tender Hedges – Tana Egbo Adelana – Nigeria, The Umesh Chronicles – Aiza Khan – India, The Thorns – Omowunmi Dada – Nigeria, Four Quarters – Anastasia Ermoshina – Russian Federation, 404.1 – Hassnaa Moumni – Morocco, Kaka – Faizal Abdullahi – Nigeria and Kismet – Lum Nora Neba – Cameroon.
Outstanding in Film Directing has Luc Walpoth – Peripheric Love – Switzerland, Tope Adebayo/Adebayo Tijanni – Jagun Jagun – Nigeria, 404.1 – Youness Reggab – Morocco, Robert Peters – Mending – Nigeria, Evgenya Tirdatova – Four Quarters – Russian Federation, Tolulope Ajayi – Over the Bridge – Nigeria and Ngang Romanus Ntseh – Kismet – Cameroon. Ooutstanding Music Score has Kismet – Cameroon, Tender Hedges – Nigeria, Widows Gift – Ghana, Tommorow – Nigeria, Runaway Spanner – Nigeria, Sodade – Cape Verde, Kaka – Nigeria and Vainglorious – US. For Golden Jury Film, there are End of Trip Sahara – Spain, Jagun Jagun – Nigeria, 404.1 – Morocco, Four Quarters – Russian Federation, Over the Bridge – Nigeria, Kismet – Cameroon and Kaka – Nigeria.
However, AIFF Audience Choice Award will be announced at the festival.