RIFF set for Second edition, receives 2,230 film submissions from US, India, 170 other countries

“Two thousand two hundred and thirty (2,230) films have been submitted from one hundred and seventy-two (172) countries, having the United States of America and India with the highest submissions respectively”, this was part of the disclosure made by the Organisers of the Rivers International Film Festival, RIFF, Desgol Entertainment Worldwide, at a press conference on Friday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

Africa Update reports that the second edition of RIFF, the first indigenous film festival ever held in Rivers State, will hold between October 24th and 27th.

Speaking to newsmen, the Founder/Festival Director RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo, said the humanity-based film festival has the vision to educate and empower the next generation of film makers.

With the staggering number of submissions received from continents across the world, Ezeigbo expressed optimism that the festival will further strengthen the socio-cultural bond between Nigeria and the rest of the world.

Below is a copy of the speech made by Ezeigbo:

A SPEECH BY THE FOUNDER/FESTIVAL DIRECTOR OF THE RIVERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ON THE OCCASION OF THE RIFF PRESS CONFERENCE 2024 AT THE PRESIDENTIAL HOTEL, PORT HARCOURT ON THE 10TH OF OCTOBER, 2024

The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS
Heads of Organizations and Industries
My fellow creatives
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press

It is with great pleasure I speak to you today about the mile stone achieved and the second edition of the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) 2024. The Rivers International Film festival was birthed in October 2023. It is the first indigenous film festival ever held in Rivers State, organized by Desgol Entertainment Worldwide. The Rivers International Film Festival is a humanity-based film festival with the vision to educate and empower the next generation of film makers. This event is scheduled to hold annually here in the garden city, Port Harcourt Rivers State.

In the maiden edition, five hundred and eighty-two (582) films were submitted from eighty-two country. This year, two thousand two hundred and thirty (2,230) films were submitted from one hundred and seventy-two (172) countries, having the United States of America and India with the highest submissions respectively. This milestone achieved explains the possible socio-cultural relationship that can exist between Rivers State by extension Nigeria and all of these countries.

It was so difficult to select movies to contest in the forth coming festival taking place from 24th-27th of October 2024, because they were too many beautiful and competitive movies. Thank you to every creative who sent in their films.
The requirements for this year’s film submissions were as follows:
Cultural analysis addressing any gender inequality, sexuality, power dynamics, security and racism
Issues on social justice at the national or regional level.
Stories addressing indigenous and cultural or racial groups that are usually marginalized, disabled and a wide variety of other cultures and communities who make up the diversity of human life.
Stories that tell the realms of technology, psychology. Medicine and spirituality as it intersects with human believes and practices

This year as part of our social impact responsibility to the creative industry, the following initiatives were introduced into the festival:
The RIFF Free Medicals
RIFF Empowers
Pitch Your Project
Tour Rivers Initiative
Rivers Film Project.

In recent times, the sudden death of film practitioners in Nigeria became alarming and scary. We embarked on a research and we found out that because of the peculiarity of their job been very tidious and time consuming they barely have the time to do a routine check on their health and that is why the RIFF Free Medicals was created, so that every October film practitioners, film lovers and film critics can access free minor surgeries, routine checks and free drugs for certain ailments.

Secondly, we intend to use this platform to reach out to all the necessary parastatals and agencies involved to have a structured health scheme plan for all Nollywood practitioner. So, in this second edition we will be having thirty free minor surgeries, drugs for malaria, antibiotics, hypertensive, diabetics. Ulcer, diarrheal, cough, cold, allergies, multivitamins will be dispensed, test for malaria, typhoid fever, STD, HBV, HBsAG, HCV, H.pylori will be carried out and free eye checks will be done all through these four days of the film festival.

Moreso, because of the peculiarity of the Nollywood Industry in Nigeria where you have to become a celebrity before you are paid, there is need to diversify into other career path to avoid sex for roles or constitute nuisance in the industry. This is bane to the RIFF Empowers Initiative. This year a training on cinematography, smart phone videography for content creation, Production of hair care products, make up classes, ballon decoration classes and a cake baking / production of 15 other pastries. We hope that through this initiative diversification will be taken seriously and more jobs will be created.

The Pitch Your Project Initiative is a platform where content owners interphase with executive producers. This particular initiative solves the problem of funding especially for those who have very good contents.

The Rivers Film Project Initiative targets to encourage the production of films that promotes and brings to bare the culture of the River’s people which are yet untapped. It will promote film productions that will turn the state to a movie hub. This year the best Rivers Film Project will win a plot of land sponsored by

The Tour Rivers Initiative will be showcasing the sights and sounds of Rivers State. Our guest from all over the world will have a first-hand experience of our culture and heritage and how beautiful ad peaceful the Rivers People are.

This second edition of The Rivers International Film Festival is themed “THE SHIFT” is;

To celebrate the shifting landscapes of filmmaking, fostering creativity, diversity and collaboration among Nigerian and International Film Makers.
To showcase innovative and compelling films that reflects the shifting narratives in thefil industry
To facilitate knowledge sharing and skills development through workshops, master classes and panel sessons.
To contribute to the growth of the Nollywood industry in Rivers State and Nigeria
To give free medical attention to our members.

Our Expectations are as follows
Enhanced creativity and innovation in Film making
Increased collaboration and networking opportunities
Improved Skills and knowledge for film makers
Greater cultural Exchange and Understanding
Contribution to the growth of the Nigerian Film Industry.

Our Target Audience Are:

Film Makers (Emerging and Established).
Industry Professionals
Film Enthusiasts
Students and Educators
Local and International Visitors
Heads of Industries and Organizations
The State Government
Our Partners and Sponsors

I will like to say a very big thank to all our sponsors and partners especially The Rivers State Governor His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS the executive Governor of Rivers State whom since his assumption into office has beamed his light on Nollywood from the befitting burial he gave to our colleague Late Precious Ofurum and now The Rivers International Film. Our dear governor we are proud of the milestone you have achieved already especially with the creative sector in the last six months.

To our other sponsors and partners airtel, indomie, Porland Resort and Hotel, Panasonic, Kellogs, Mutipro, Coalgate, Kinectic, Power oil, Chifour, MunchIT, Amazon, FreshYO, Minimie, re Bliss, Multichoice, Tasty Tom, Startimes, Nigeria Medical Associatio, Primary Health Board, Consioglories, IHCL, Nollywood Hangout, PCRC, Binatone, Naziru, Bergazo, 6th Gem, Sterling Green, Foosre, Mcroblading, Likeminds, AGN, Ig]bowood, CDGN, Ladofest, IMOC, AkuGrills, NAFMAN, Chinasa Nwajie TV, AMPRAC,
We are happy to have you do this with us for RFF 2024. Thank you!!!

Kate Ezeigbo

Founder/Festival Director RIFF.