By Gambo Alkali, in Kano
Preparations are in top gear for the 7th annual edition of the Kano Indigenous Languages of Africa Film Market and Festival (KILAF) scheduled to hold in the ancient city of Kano next month, November 30th, 2024.
Already, KILAF has released the list of nominated films for KILAF ’24 Awards during the Ceremony. They include 57 films from 16 countries that will participate in the competition.
Briefing Newsmen at NUJ Press Centre in Kano, on Tuesday, KILAF Founder/CEO & KILAF Festival Director as well as Managing Director, Moving Image Limited, Abdulkareem Mohammed & Galadima Muhammad said, the Award ceremony will be Chaired by Professor Emmanuel Emasealu.
The duo explained that KILAF is an African continent’s indigenous languages’ annual film event that was started in 2018.
“It is a festival promoting such films while encouraging their cross-border sales. KILAF has so far created an appropriate and conducive platform, attracting participation from across the world.
“As usual, this year’s event promises to be enriching, engaging and fulfilling. It has attracted 510 global film entries for its competition from 66 countries out of which 35 African nations accounted for 430 film entries.
“The five-day long gathering will feature various activities that promote interactive engagements in a carefully curated program that is an evolution of a united African front of and for the creative arts, economy, culture and tourism,” they explained.
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The engaging activities lined up are:
Welcome Dinner for all participants, to be hosted by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf; KILAF ’24 Conference with the theme: “Forging Cultural Identity in a Multilingual Africa: The Role of Indigenous Language Films” in collaboration with the Faculty of Communication, Bayero University.
“There will be Master Classes that unveil capacity building opportunities from ‘Script 2 Screen,’ organized by a distinguished film maker and academic, Dr. Victor Okhai, who is the President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN). It is designed for old, young and aspiring film practitioners across the film value chain and of the African continent.
“Panel Discussions around ‘Script 2 Screen’ filmmaking process and the theme: “Forging Cultural Identity in a Multilingual Africa: The Role of Indigenous Language Films.
“Product Presentations of state-of-the-art film facilities, goods and services by corporate entities.
“Arts, Crafts and Product Exhibition which mobilizes artists, producers and marketers to showcase and sell their creative works, products and services during the event, organized in collaboration with the North-West Zonal Office of the National Gallery of Arts (NGA).
“Nominees’ Dinner for all those nominated for KILAF awards, to be hosted by His Highness the 16th Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON (Dress code for this event is traditional African attires).
“Kano City Tour which conducts participants around historical sites of over a thousand years old, within the ancient city of Kano, being organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Kano State Tourism Board and the History and Culture Bureau.
“Women in Media Business Summit is expected to be chaired by Hajiya Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Honorable Minister of Culture, Arts and Creative Economy and to be presented by a renown Ugandan moderator, media professional and Managing Director of Tassle Films, Atusasiire Barbara, in collaboration with Shafana Innovative Hub (an entrepreneur developmental NGO based in Kano) and other carefully selected women groups like the Kano Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
“Film Screenings, with question-and-answer sessions led by the filmmakers, of some selected African indigenous language films.
“Grand finale of the Awards Night where excellence and professionalism of filmmakers are rewarded with prestigious plaques and prizes as the Honorable Minister of Culture, Arts and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musa Musawa is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour. The event will be presented in a galore of entertaining performances of poetry, music and dances. Dress code for this event is traditional African attires.
The organisers say, the release of KILAF ’24 Film Competition Nomination List is to enable all nominees to prepare for their trips to Kano ahead of time.
KILAF is being powered by Moving Image Limited, a Kano-based communications outfit, established in 1991. It has a veteran media personality as its Managing Director/CEO, Abdulkareem Mohammed, who graduated with BSc Communications (Radio-TV-Film) from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Mass Communications from Bayero University, Kano.
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