On a day when glitz and glamour was to take centre stage at the Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF), which held in Benin City from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 september, 2022, the participants got closer to stardom by taking masterclasses from celebrity actors who shared their experiences in acting and film making.
The festival held around the theme: “Edo to The World”.
Actor and lawmaker Desmond Elliott and Actor/producer Mercy Aigbe didn’t just delve into politics, business and filmmaking while giving insights into the critical aspects of managing a good production process, they also told the compelling story of how each of them got into acting.
It was the same for Actors Charles Inojie and Etinosa Idemudia, who took participants on the techniques of getting roles and being visible towards the growth of their acting careers.
It was indeed eye-opening for the participants who filled one of the many halls at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage.
Who knew that Etinosa used to wear steel toe boots until 2015 when she decided to pursue a new trajectory in her life and decided to go into the acting career that has made her well known the world over. Her presence at the masterclass was enough to encourage those who came in their numbers with the intent to pursue a career in acting.
But this was icing on the glamorous cake that was to be served later in the day in the form of the awards night and closing ceremony hosted by the duo of Linda Osifo and Rex Nosa, ambassadors of the inaugural ESIFF that received over 1,500 movies from over 90 countries.
Of that number, 150 movies were carefully curated from the entries to screen at Kada Cinemas and the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage throughout the festival. Members of the Jury led by Prof. Osakue Omoera with Kabat Esosa Egbon, Pat Oghre Imobhio and a host of others, went through the arduous task of selecting winners among the nominees. Major wins at the festival that had total participation of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, include Best Actor male: Ben Oyaye; Best Female Actor Victory Idahosa; Best Director: Joseph Okwoli; Best Short Film: Tare; Best Documentary: Palm for crude produced by Directors Guild of Nigeria.
Others include Best Use of Tech in film: Battle of the West; Best self-owned film: Zara; Best Student Film: The funeral; Best Film Costume: Osasyi Blessing; Best Cinematography: After a while; and Best Indigenous Film: On This Mountain.
Special recognition was also given to veteran actors Alex Usifo, Victor Okhia, Ambassador Lancelot, Charles Inojie, and Billy King. Mercy Aigbe, Linda Osifo, Nosa Rex, Etinosa, Mr Billy King, Yvonne Jegede, Adesua Etomi, and Toyin Aimakun were recognized as trailblazers from Edo State.The Best Film shot in Edo, Omoatama also got a 5,000 dollars cash prize as well as the Governor Award for Best Overall film: Onaiwu
The Edo State International Film Festival whose film committee was headed by acclaimed filmmaker Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, is sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Follow @esiffestival on Instagram, for more details.
