LACIFF Begins Call For Entries

The Lakecity Film Festival (LACIFF) has begun accepting films that will be in competition for the first edition of the three-day festival, which will take place from December 16th to 18th in Oguta, Imo State has been.

Ekine Stronghold, the chief executive of Nollyflames Studios Ltd., and founder of LACIFF said the festival focuses on films with themes around arts, culture, tourism and history.

“This festival welcomes films from all over the globe that celebrate indigenous film irrespective of genre. LACIFF creates an environment necessary for the global cross-pollination of cultures, boosts cultural awareness and exchange in a bid to encourage filmmakers to look more inwardly and tell their individual stories through their own lenses. Hence the pay off line, ‘the reel is yours, show your story’,” he explained.

Meanwhile, LACIFF has also announced a stellar jury of five. They are creator of the popular TV drama TINSEL and former Vice-president of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), Yinka Ogun; Former president of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and present Chairman of Audio Visual rights Society (AVRS), Bond Emeruwa; Veteran Writer, actor and  producer Tari West Johnson; and Assistant professor of Film Studies at the prestigious Montana State University, kathy kasic. The Board is ably presided by Elite filmmaker of note, popularly known as the sultan of filmmaking, Alhaji Sani Muazu.

Explaining the reason for the choice of members of the jury Stronghold said “the uniqueness of LACIFF requires a competent jury with a broad base of filmmaking knowledge, experience and a well balanced ethnic coloration due to the diversification of culture”.

The festival Advisory Board is composed of seasoned individuals in the motion picture industry, festival management and other businesses. Members include Ace Producer and entrepreneur, Rogers Ofime; Former president of SWGN and Executive secretary of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Tony Anih; Veteran actor, Jide Kosoko; Journalist per-excellence and jury extra-ordinaire, Shaibu Hussein. The board is chaired by festival guru and Chief Executive Officer of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude.

The festival will be resident in the beautiful town of Oguta popularly known for its beautiful lake and tourism potentials but will also pursue an all year round travel festival programme. The Lakecity Oguta Ameshi, is home to worldclass stars like legal icon Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, foremost African female literati Flora Nwapa,  International Musician Dr. Alban, Revered showman Charly Boy, Nollywood veteran Camellia Mberekpe, Screen Adonis Clems Ohameze, fast rising screen sweetheart Chioma Igwe, veteran filmmaker Nevile Ossai and a host of others.

Stronghold is a content creator, writer and entertainment consultant with a passion for building credible relationships whose synergy can create innovative ideas that better the society and add value to the individuals themselves. Currently the national Public Relations Officer (PRO) of SWGN, he has written several movies and sitcoms and is one of the writers on the popular sitcom The Johnsons.

He has had a robust working experience with several media firms as program’s manager, web content manager and operations executive. He is married to Nneka and they live in the south-eastern part of Nigeria with their two children.

With the theme, ‘The reel is yours, show your story’, the entries for the festival will close in November as interested filmmakers can find details at the festival’s website www.laciff.com.ng.