Professional filmmakers, stakeholders, movie journalists, film buffs, members of the diplomatic corps as well as dignitaries from both the public and private sectors are already converging in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the seventh edition of the annual Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).
The festival, which began last Monday at the posh Silverbird Cinemas and currently serenading the whole of Abuja, is expected to come to a glorious end this weekend.
According to pioneer filmmaker and the Festival’s Director, Mr. Fidelis Duker, 15 films from ten nations made the final nominations of this year’s AIFF, tagged: “Celebrating Naija @ 50 Through Cinema.” The festival will also look at the cinema industry in the last 50 years, from various perspectives.
Meanwhile, previous editions of the festival witnessed participants and delegates from over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, China, Japan, Niger, USA, Poland, Togo, Burkina Faso, India, UAE and Singapore.
“For the first time films will be screening at multi purpose built cinema halls to create the cinematic experience,” disclosed Duker.
The festival is organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication, the National Film and Video Censors Board, the Nigerian Film Corporation, the Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission and the Nigeria Television Authority.
The festival will also have in attendance, members of the diplomatic missions in Nigeria, exhibitions and film markets that are expected to attract over 30 exhibitors from the different sectors of the motion picture industry both locally and internationally.