By Gbenga Shaba
Braving all odds, dreading the danger zones and never subjecting to excuses has become some of the traits of African most consistent filmmaker, Ambassador Chief (Dr.) Lancelot Oduwarene Imasuen aka D'guvnor. Striving for excellence in cinematic, entertainment and learning innovations and inventions has become his trademark.
Born to train, impact, lead and give back; values' legacies and honoring the culture of his people has been his major prayers.
In another first of its kind investiture, the astute director and movie producer showed why the history and story of modern day Nollywood can't be complete without his name's being mentioned for a good cause.
The just concluded 3-day film festival at the Nigeria’s premier private University, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State tagged 'International Students Film Festival, ISFF' is another testimony of this great entertainment innovator and inventor. The well thought out festival was established to see to the development of filmmakers affiliated to learning institutions such as Academies and Universities. This was according to him his observation that student filmmakers do not get dedicated opportunities to showcase their creative works. Saying "this could be in part as a result of the student-status of these category of filmmakers, which may pose the threat of seeing them as unable to produce award winning master piece films.”
It was in that light that he got inspired to create the International Students Film Festival that is set in motion to span from Nigeria to the rest of Africa and beyond.
One of the beauties of this unique festival is that it has been designed to travel from one location to another. With this development, different editions of the festival will be hosted by different institutions that will meet the required standards as captured in ISFF’s accreditation document. Without doubts, the inaugural edition surely left so many great memories for the participants.
Day 1: The Opening Ceremony and ISFF Screenings
On Thursday 12th October, 2023, the day one of the event witnessed a grandstyle Opening Ceremony for the International Students Film Festival, ISFF. Participants from various schools; within and outside the state and country graced the inaugural Opening Ceremony both physically and online.
Nollywood greats, legends, actors, actresses, academia, films and movies enthusiast, politicians, film and academy students from neighbouring states and across the country came in their numbers to witness another entertainment invention from Lancelot Oduwarene Imasuen.
Aside the ceremony, screening of over 250 submitted entries at the screening room of the Library Conference Hall of the Institution began. It is worthy of mention that the inaugural 'ISFF' witnessed over 250 student made films, submitted from across the globe; including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameron, Kenya, Spain and many others, the management of ISFF, after a robust scrutiny selected four Jury members who were Nollywood scholars and practitioners from various institutions and Film institutes. These jury members, after a meticulous assessment of the films, later presented 37 films selected from Africa and 22 from outside Africa for screening. The opening film was KANANI by Dallas based Nigerian filmmaker Tola akinyemi starring Gabriel Afolayan and Ivie okunieye
Day 2: (Screenings/ISFF Creative Talk Shop)
For those who witnessed the opening ceremony of 'ISFF', daybreak of Friday October 13, 2023 seems to be the longest night. The lineup for the day-2 of the Festival was mind boggling.
The first Master Class after the participants breakfast was from the master himself. Dr. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen talked about 'Role Interpretation for Actors'. With over 27 years experience, Dr. Lancelot took the participants on a memory lane of some of the blockbusters by notable actors, how to be a successful actor, role interpretation as an actor and many more. It was indeed an eye opener.
Still the same day, ISFF Intellectual (Industry Panel discussion) powered by
Coal City Film Festival, discussed about a powerful topic; (Nollywood Yesterday, Today and the Future the Place of
Film institutions for breeding
future Filmmakers).
Anchored by award winning dancer, journalist and lecturer at the prestigious institution, University of Lagos, Dr. Shuaib Hussein; the role call of the panelists were intimidating. Nollywood's legends like Andy Amenechi, Francis Onwochei, Dr Charles Okwulonwo, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Chief peddle Okao, Deacon Chief Henry Iyobosa aka Legemah and Chief Ogie Ogendegbe, Chairman Edo State chapter of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Uche Agbo and Wendy Uwadiale Imasuen were all on the panel.
From scripting to acting, directing to shooting, production to marketing, distribution to even writing business proposals for moving making, the participants asked questions and were fed from the pots of experience of the Nollywood's legends.
Igbinedion University Vice Chancellor's Impressive Nod
The Vice Chancellor of the Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye was at the screening room of the Library Conference Hall of the Institution on the day-2 of the Festival. Moved by the massive turnout of participants and the interactive session of the day, the visibly elated VC said; The Igbinedion University is happy to be a part of this epoch making history. To us at Igbinedion University, it is our believe that supporting good programmes like this will help shape the future of the next generation."
Prof. Lawrence said; "Lancelot Imasuen is someone that the University is happy to always identify with and we are grateful for all he's been doing from the he started the Benin Film Academy. We shall continue to support him and many others who are willing to impact knowledge into our young generation of students."
"We would be delighted to partner with ISFF" - Edo State Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka
Delectable and hard-working Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, in Edo State, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka was at the day-2 of the Festival. Coming very handy and relaxed to witness the history being made in her state and in a ministry under her watch, the beauty and brain woman poured her heart at such initiative.
She said; " I felicitate with Dr. Lancelot Oduwarene Imasuen, founder of the International Student Film Festival 'ISFF', for his vision to impact young creatives in Edo State through the development of their creative skilss and interests, by training them for the sub sector. This aligns perfectly with Governor Obaseki's vision of tooling and Skilling young entrepreneurs in the creative space for the creative economy. So, this could not have come at a better time. The ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, through the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, and the Edo Film Project, has been very busy engaging with private professional Initiatives like Dr. Lancelot in training, mentoring and engaging our trained skills in the industry. The Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub is open to all creatives in Edo State and beyond.
We would be delighted to partner with ISFF'on this laudable Initiative also, going forward."
Sr. Uyi said; "we are convinced that the way to providing skilled employment for our youth lies in such synergistic collaborations with entrepreneurs like Dr. Lancelot, rather than us working at Cross purposes with each other. We therefore commend Dr. Oduwa Imasuen, for his evident unrelenting commitment to growing the Edo Creative soace." She expressed.
Day-3: The Festival Scored A's From All Fonts
This was the day for the final screening of the selected movies. As early as 11 am, the master classes for the day has begun.
It all began with ISFF Creative Talk Shop
Cinematography and Post Production with Bassey Davies. This was followed by another Master Class in Directing with multiple award winning movie director Uzodimma Okpechi.
Emmanuel Eyaba's Content Monetization Class excites all
Popular content Creator and actor, Emmanuel Eyaba Tagbo of The Eyabas on (Facebook), took the participants on a journey of content monetization on Facebook and YouTube. He took them through all it takes to set up the social media pages and the nitty-gritty of the content monetization.
The Glamorous Award/Endowment/Investiture Night
The Grand Patronship Investiture
It was a night of honor for both the living and the dead. A night to appreciate those whose impacts and imprints have greatly impacted this generation. One of such people who was honored at award ceremony was Princess Rosemary Osula Mku-Atu; the founder and president of Rosula Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that has become the harbinger of hope for thousands – struggling with socio-economic challenges around the world.
Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; a philanthropist, educationist, an accomplished businessman and politician; Legendary Nollywood Director, Andy Amenechi; Legendary Nollywood Actor, Francis Onwochei and Zeb Ejiro who was represented by multiple award winning movie director Uzodimma Okpechi.
Known for celebrating legends, honoring prominent Nigerians who has given and are still giving back to the people, Lancelot Imasuen also honored multiple award winner, dancer, journalist and lecturer, Dr. Shuaib Hussein.
The highlight of the event was the award presentation to the winners of the student movies. The award was endowed by Nollywood legends, prominent Edo sons and daughters and great Nigerians
The Award Winners
Chief Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion award for Best Student Film on Culture.
Winner- Ebere
Iyen Agbonifo Obaseki award for Best Student Costumier.
Winner- What we had.
Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Memorial award for Best Student Documentary Film.
Winner - Breaking loose from the shackles.
Captain Dr. Hosa Okunbo's Memorial Award for Best Student Overall Film.
Winner - Tourette
Emem Isong Misodi award for Best Student Script Writer.
Winner - Just Leave
Liz Benson award for Best Student Actress.
Winner - Tolu Adeleke- (Just Leave)
Enebeli Elebuwa Memorial award for Best Student Actor.
Winner - Anthony (Tourette)
Chico Ejiro Memorial Award for Best Student Director.
Winner - Na man you be
Sadiq Baba Memorial award for Best Student Short Film.
Winner - Widow's mite
Cleopatra Starrets award for Best Student Make-up.
Winner - Ann Mary Kehinde (Just Leave)
Others include;
Best Student Cinematography
Winner - Tourette
Best Student Short Film (Foreign).
Winner - Love in the brain (Kenya).
What's Next?
One of the beauties of this unique festival is that it has been designed to travel from one location to another. With this development, different editions of the festival will be hosted by different institutions that will meet the required standards as captured in ISFF’s accreditation document. So, after the successful outing of 'ISFF' inaugural edition in Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State in 2023, we all await who hosts this unique Festival in 2024.