Zuma Film Festival 2012 gathers momentum

Mr. Afolabi Adesanya

All is now set for the year’s edition of the Zuma Film Festival with the theme, The Human Story, Connecting People. This year’s fiesta promises to rock Abuja and its environs as it is expected to be a great leap from the previous three editions which also witnessed consistent growth and heightened participation profile.
These and other reasons have increased expectations of practitioners and movie buffs as they remain on the lookout for the biennial film festival.
As the sixth edition kicks off on May 6 in Abuja, March 6, has been set as the deadline for entries and submission of films to be shortlisted for screening and categories of awards for Zuma Film Festival 2012.
The highlights of the five days film festival include new movie premiere, Nigerian Film Corporation lecture and essay competitions, film/video exhibition, special tributes, film location expo, awards night among other side attractions for emerging talents and children.
Some of the 18 competitive categories that reward creativity and excellence include Best Director, Best Actress/Actors, Best Film in Nigerian Language, Best Short Film, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Film, Best Animation among others.
Speaking on the film festival, the Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, said, “The theme, The Human Story, Connecting People, is to portray the amazing intricacies of film as a potent umbilical cord that binds humanity in their creative activity and diversity and cement their complementary ethos, history culture and tradition.
“Aside competitive categories of awards, there are honours and lifetime achievement awards to deserving personalities who have raised the bar in motion picture practice. The jury members will be announced shortly to kick start the process.
“However, nothing sets the tone for this year’s event than gracious acceptance of the President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, as the Grand Patron of Zuma Film Festival. This has further demonstrated Government’s appreciation of the film sector in her transformation strides”.