National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate General, Darcy Zotter has expressed satisfaction about the United States Consulate’s involvement at the Eko International Film Festival.
Zotter, who made the expression at the Silverbird Galleria recently in her opening remarks at the 2016 American Film Showcase remarked that, “We are proud to have American films be part of the Eko International Film Festival showing Nigerian and international films.”
The event which attracted participants from the Nigerian film industry and the Nigerian media was an opportunity for participants to see two films curated and sponsored by the University of Southern California’s School for Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, and by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
The two films include CodeGirl by Leslie Chilcott and I’m Not Racist…Am I? Both movies however provided learning opportunities for viewers such lessons to be added to their experiences.
“We are pleased to share with you the American Film Showcase of independently produced documentaries by American filmmakers. We have enjoyed working with the Eko International Film Festival, Ozone Cinemas, and SilverBird Galleria, without whom this Showcase would not have been possible,” Zotter stated.
Recognising Hope Opara, Founder, Eko International Film Festival) and Madu Chikwendu (Convener of Nigeria Motion Picture Experts NIMPEG 1, and CEO of MCM Group at the event, Zotter stated that the films are wonderful and they deliver powerful stories of American and global youth overcoming social, cultural, business, and personal growth challenges.
Commending the films, their directors and producers, the officer, who once served in China confirmed that, “These films are labors of love from directors and producers creating a vision with fewer resources than Hollywood blockbusters. The art they have created is incredible.”
Stating further, she said, “We are sharing these films with you so that you can see how filmmakers confront not just the good parts of America, but also the difficult parts. You can see how different narratives for different groups and individuals matter –and together, they make us all Americans.”
The films also according to her, exposed the challenges facing young people as they try to make their way in the world, as technologists and entrepreneurs, using limited money but also their personal talents and drive to succeed.
“I think you will discover many aspects in these films that resonate in your lives. I am confident that these films will compel you to see both the common links and the differences between Americans and Nigerians,” she hoped, also enjoined viewers to take the films as inspiration their own lives. “I will be interested to hear what you take away from these films,” she told the participants.
Expressing pleasure in the wealth of talents in Nigerian film industry, she said, “We are pleased to have the wealth of talent of the Nigerian filmmaking industry, both Nollywood and outside Nollywood, with us today. I see many of you in the audience.”
“If you are a filmmaker, or a budding filmmaker, I hope these films inspire you to find the right story you need to tell –or a new way to tell that story. If you want to learn more about how to make a documentary, you should visit americanfilmshowcase.com,” she instructed, concluding that, “I know many of you in Nigeria’s film industry are telling your stories on screen already. And we are proud to have American films be part of the Eko International Film Festival showing Nigerian and international films.”
