AFRIFF appoints UK based expert as programmer and jury coordinator
In a bid to ensure global credibility to first Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) scheduled to be held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State from 1st-5th of December 2010, organizers of the event have appointed June Givanni, renowned UK based expert on African Cinema as the Programmer and Jury Coordinator of the event.
Entries have already been received from film producers from all over Africa and the world, including some submissions that are potential worldwide premiers.
According to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, AFRIFF creative Director, the appointment of June Givanni exemplifies the readiness of the organizers of the event to bring world-wide recognition to the film industry in Africa and ensure that the maiden edition of the event is of global standards.
Commenting on the experience Givanni will bring to AFRIFF, Anyam- Osigwe stated that Givanni’s expertise spans festivals, film and cultural institutions all over the world. She said: "June is a highly sought after international expert in this industry with over 25 years' experience. She programmed Planet Africa at the Toronto International Film festival for a number of years and works with festivals in India, the Caribbean and North America.
Apart from programming, June Givanni has also worked in managerial capacities in film organizations such as the British Film Institute, where she ran the African Caribbean Unit; led major projects such as 'Screen Griots', the film dimension of the UK's national celebration of African arts and culture 'Africa 95'; launched the periodical 'Black Film Bulletin' and edited the book 'Symbolic Narratives: African Cinema.
Reacting to her appointment, Givanni expressed her optimism for the African film industry and for Nigeria in particular, saying she was delighted to be involved in AFRIFF and looked forward to helping the festival achieve its goal to create an event where the continent's rich film talent shares a platform alongside recent works from other regions of the world.
About AFRIFF:
Founded in 2009, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has a vision to create a platform for the world to zoom in on the diversity and creativity of Africa through motion pictures. Starting December 2010, AFRIFF will unite film makers from across the world on the African soil. It will be held yearly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria hosting both local and international filmmakers, celebrities, actors, producers, directors, film buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, amateurs, film lovers and the media. AFRIFF will also launch a unique Film & Equipment Market, which will grow content and equipment trade out of Africa and foster partnerships.
1 - 5 December 2010, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Africa Film Festival.
