The Lagos State Government has announced nine films that will be screened at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival in Canada from September 8 to 18. The selected films are 76 directed by Izu Ojukwu, 93 Days directed by Steve Gukas, The Wedding Party by Kemi Adetiba, The Arbitration by Niyi Akinmolayan, Taxi Driver by Daniel T. Oriahi, Okafor’s Law by Omoni Oboli, Just Not Married by Uduak-Obong Patrick and Green White Green by Abbah T. Makama. Kunle Afolayan’s The CEO is singled out to get special screening.
Congratulating the selected filmmakers, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement made available to The Point on Tuesday that TIFF would be celebrating the talents and creativity that abound in Lagos with the unprecedented selection of eight new films in the City-to-City segment and one other film for Industry Special Screening.
He stated that, “The Lagos State government is happy to confirm the selection of eight Lagos-made feature films at the Toronto International Film Festival coming up in September as well as Mr. Kunle Afolayan’s The CEO, which will enjoy a Special Industry Screening on the 12th of September.”
Ayorinde said that the focus on Lagos in Toronto this year had confirmed the arrival of Lagos State on the world stage and the potential of professionals in the motion picture industry of Lagos State.
He also added that TIFF had invited two young actors for participation at the newly created Rising Stars Programme at this edition. They are OC Ukeje for his role in ‘The Arbitration’ and ‘Somkele Iyama’ for her roles in ‘93 Days’, ‘The Arbitration’ and ‘The Wedding Party.’
The commissioner said that the Lagos State Government was pleased that two of the selected films enjoyed the support of the state government during production.
He stated, “While ‘76’ revisits the political upheaval of 1976 that led to the assassination of the Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, ‘93 Days’ examines the bravery of the late Doctor Stella Adadevoh and the Lagos State Government in combating the dreaded Ebola virus in 2014.
“We are pleased that filmmakers are exploring themes that are strong enough to attract global attention. The focus on Lagos State this year, therefore, signals the beginning of a rewarding global attention to our creative artists and the inherent potentials in the state as destination of choice for international filmmakers, visitors and investors,” he said.
