Organisers of the Lakecity Film Festival (LACIFF) have extended deadline for the submission of films to Friday, December 9.
Making the announcement, founder of the festival, Ekine Stronghold, said the decision became necessary due to the many calls he has received from indigenous filmmakers who said they needed more time to send in their films.
The maiden edition of LACIFF with the theme “The Reel is Yours, Show Your Story” is set to take place at the Crystal Lake Resort, Oguta, Imo State from December 16 to 18.
“The festival,” he stated, “is after all to celebrate our indigenous films so we have decided to give Nigerian filmmakers another opportunity to send in their films by December 9”.
LACIFF had received over 2,900 film entries from 105 countries by the end of November.
Stronghold, said at a recent press briefing in Lagos that a college of screeners has come up with 100 films out of the 2,900 and that judges, including Sani Muazu (head jurist), Yinka Ogun, Bond Emeruwa, Kathy Kasic from the United States of America and Tari West-Johnson, are already assessing the entries that would be screened.
Meanwhile, CJ Obasi’s film, O-Town, and Joe Brown Ubaka’s award winning The Missing God will respectively open and close the festival.
O-Town, set in Owerri tells the story of a young man who aims to climb the ladder of the small-town criminal underworld to become the boss of all, while The Missing God, made in Igbo language, focuses on the power of African religion, culture and traditions.
“The films were strategically chosen to give people a sense of belonging and to tell guests they should come with their best film next year because our best can match your best,” Stronghold stated.
He added that culture, arts, history, tourism and environment would be proudly showcased at the festival.
The national public relations officer of the Screen Writers’ Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) said that aside film screenings; there will be master classes on cinematography and editing courtesy Ford Foundation with facilitators expected from the United States of America and Europe.
Speaking on what makes the festival uniqueness, he said: “It is a film festival with high tourism content. Oguta is a beautiful tourist destination and the home of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Flora Nwapa, Dr. Alban and Clem Ohameze, who is the official face and president of the festival. Guests should come prepared for three good days of quality films, fun and water-based activities including water skiing”.
Partners of the festival include the Imo State Government, Ford Foundation, Crystal Lake Resort, Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and Oguta Youth Empowerment Scheme among others.
