The maiden edition of The Rivers International Film Festival came to an end with an Award Night, on October 28th at the Alliance Francais, Africa Update has learnt.
At the Award Ceremony, 71 participants who took part in the SKILL# SCREEN project received certificates, 14 practitioners who have contributed immensely to the growth of Nollywood in the state, bagged Life Time Achievement Awards, Nollywood Veteran of the Year Award and The Most entertainment friendly Commissioner of Police was won by the Rivers Police Commissioner CP Emeka Polycarp Nwonyi.
According to the Founder RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo, out of five hundred and sixty three entries of films made into the festival from eighty two countries, Tide Up and Down directed by Binghan Zhang from China won the overall best film, Rising Sun directed by Idigi Eremosele from Nigeria won best Indigenous Film.
Brooklyn from France directed by Pascal Tessaud won best International Film, The best short film was won by Horseband Man Husband directed by Zaffar from Nigeria, Best cinematography was won by Tide Up and Down, Best Female Actress was won by KT Gorique inr Brooklyn and Best Male Actor was won by Atul Kawthalkar in Brooklyn too.
The award for RIFF AMBASSADOR with a cash prize of two hundred thousand naira was won by Oriaku Marvin.Other awards won were best volunteer worker and best performing art.
The festival which started off with the RIFF2SCREEN INITIATIVE on Smartphone videography, saponification and paint making, gave Seventy one (71) participants the opportunity to engage in a hands on project where they were divided into 5 groups.
Group C emerged winners in that section and received gifts from Indomie and Kellogg’s, two corporate sponsors of the festival. On the same day, the RIFF Cocktail Inaugural Ceremony with the theme “RIVERINE” held to display the rich cultural heritage of Rivers State.
Africa Update gathered that animated movies were screened to six schools with over hundred students, who were taught by the producer on the many opportunities that are inherent in the animation industry.
In her statement, Ezeigbo, expressed appreciation to over twenty sponsors and partners including Kada Cinema, the Commissioner of Police, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Guild Heads, Bank of Industry, and Media houses.
She disclosed that RIFF 2024 Planning starts from December 1st 2023.
