Frankfurt am Main, the financial hub of Germany, was recent host to the annual double-packed events – Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA), which held on the 30th – 31st August, 2019.
The annual event, organized by Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V, centres around Nigerian film screenings, interactions, awards and networking by film makers and other entertainment and culture merchants. The 2019 edition of the festival kicked off with the premiere of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s newest film WEDE.
WEDE is a feature length film that tells the story about female genital mutilation. An adaptation of Professor Julia Okoh’s novel, Edewede, which was set in the 80’s. WEDE exposes the obnoxious and debilitating negative effect of female genital mutilation which is still very much prevalent among rural dwellers in the Midwestern part of Nigeria.
A fearless and determined young lady led other women to a revolt that saw an age-long tradition abolished. They fought courageously and tirelessly to put an end to barbaric tradition, something most men have had the luxury of taking for granted.
The film WEDE boasts a roll call of Nollywood’s cream-of-the-crop amongst whom are: Oge Okoye as Edewede, Rita Edochie, as Mama Nurse, Nosa Obaseki as Odia, Francis Onwochei as King, Eunice Omoregie as Ebikere and Isio Joseph as Ebun.
In his opening speech before the screening, the event director and innovator of the festival, Mr. Isaac Izoya said, “WEDE was painstakingly selected because of the originality that depicts the message of the barbaric and dirty past culture that must be exterminated in its entirety.”
AFTER SCREENING REACTIONS.
The Filmforum Höchst cinema in Frankfurt where WEDE premiered, was a hive of emotions during the film’s screening. Little wonder some of the viewers were glad to share their thoughts on the film:
“This is my first time ever watching a Nollywood film and I must confess that I’ve learnt a great lesson of how best to approach issues related to traditional matters in Africa. Great Movie with a strong message, kudos to the event organizers to have chosen this film for screening.” – Niels Bartels, African News Analyst. Berlin, Germany.
“Thank you Lancelot Imasuen for this great story that was well delivered. Thanks to the actors for the roles they played so well. I couldn’t help but to cry during the screening.” – Kathi – Social worker, Frankfurt, Germany.
“It’s a nice and must-watch movie. I cried at the cinema and it’s a tradition that must be abolished. I advise women to resist it by all means possible.” – Sarah Agbebaku, Student, Dusseldorf, Germany.
“It’s a crazy tradition that should not have been started at all in the first place. I respect the women for their resistance.” – Gabriela.
“I am proud for the very first of African women. This movie shown how strong and powerful we are. It’s a great movie and I promise to be back here again unfailingly next year.” – Ramatu Garba, Deutsche Welle Radio, Bonn, Germany.
“We were thinking of discontinuing Nollywood screening next year because of the annual low turnout but with what I saw today, according to you, “the show must go on!” I am highly impressed with the 300% turnout and the classic movie shown.” – Cinema Director, Mr Peter R. Klaus, Frankfurt, Germany.
NEGA AWARDS GALA NIGHT
The NEGA Awards Gala took place at the prestigious Saray Türkuaz Event Center Ernst-Wissstr in Frankfurt, Germany. The awards gala saw 2Baba – Innocent Idibia, honoured as the “King of Afro-Pop,” Don Vs as “Best Diaspora Artist of the Year,” Alhaji Monsuru Adelekan received the “Excellence in Humanitarian Services Award,” and 2Baba’s manager Mr Efe Omoregbe, honoured as the “Best Artiste Manager of the Year.”
Nollywood Europe Golden Award (NEGA), is a platform designed to honour Nollywood stakeholders, stars, comedians, musicians (both in Africa and in the Diaspora) which has also been expanded to recognize the artistic bias of outstanding politicians and business men and women both in Africa and beyond but whose actions in the area of culture and tourism sector, have directly or indirectly impacted upon Nigerians worldwide and the industry in particular, thereby shaping what it has grown to become today.
Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) is a viable platform designed for Nollywood film makers to showcase their movies to European and Nigerian fans in the Diaspora. The Festival has been holding annually since 2012.
