“21st Abuja International Film Festival Showcases Global Talent: Over 45 Countries Represented”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21st Abuja International Film Festival Unveils a Dazzling Selection from Across the Globe

Abuja, Nigeria – October 14, 2024 – The 21st edition of the prestigious Abuja International Film Festival is poised to captivate audiences with a carefully curated selection of cinematic gems, gathered from a staggering pool of 1254 submissions originating from 45 countries. Set to unfold from October 28th to November 1st, 2024, this year’s festival promises to be a celebration of diversity, creativity, and unparalleled talent in the world of cinema.

Among the standout films chosen to grace the festival’s screens are works like “Four Quarters” from Russia, Mending and “Kaka” from Nigeria, “404.1” from Morocco, “Jagun Jagun” from Nigeria, “Leo’s Party” from Brazil, “Widow’s Gift” from Ghana, and the gripping “Over the Bridge,” alongside a host of other exceptional entries. Each film brings a unique perspective, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of storytelling from around the globe.

The competition is fierce in the running for the coveted titles of Best Actor and Best Actress, with luminaries such as Femi Adebayo, Ozy Agu, and Stan Eze hailing from Nigeria, and the skilled Dave Hayllar representing the USA. The male category further showcases international talent with Alejandro Cooper from Namibia stealing the limelight. In the female category, the competition is just as fierce, featuring the remarkable performances of Tana Adelana, Omowunmi Dada, and Kehinde Bankole from Nigeria with Kara wang from USA competing against the likes Hassna Monni from Morocco.

As the Abuja International Film Festival gears up to welcome filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, it promises an immersive cinematic experience that transcends borders and connects hearts through the power of storytelling.

Attached is the complete list of Nominees for the 21st Abuja International film festival.

OFFICIAL WINNERS OF 14TH ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
BEST DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)

1. LET WISDOM OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS SHINE THROUGH THE FUTURE – CHINA
2. EBROHIMIE ROAD: A MUSEUM OF MEMORY – NIGERIA
3. THE LAST ISLAND – ITALY
4. SOFIA WILL RETURN – SPAIN
5. THE MIRROR PARAJANOV -FRANCE
6. DELA – The Making of El Anatsui – NIGERIA
7. ACCIDENTAL SPY – USA

BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

1. LUCY – A PIONEER DESTINY – ITALY
2. WOMEN OF BISSAU – SPAIN
3. OUR MONIQUE – CAMEROON
4. CHAINED SILENCE SPEAKS CHAPTER 1 – USA
5. NO FOOD THE LAZY MAN – NIGERIA
6. YOU HIDE ME – GHANA
7. END OF TRIP SAHARA – SPAIN

BEST ANIMATION

1. YOUR DEMOCRACY – USA
2. DAWN – CAMEROON
3. VAINGLORIOUS – USA
4. JOULE – AUSTRALIA
5. THE FOREST OF HONEST BEES – FRANCE
6. TURKEY PINKY PANTS – USA

BEST EXPERIMENTAL

1. PRE-EXISTING FREEDOM – USA
2. TAGE IM WINTER – GERMANY
3. YA HANOUNI – FRANCE
4. SODADE – CAPE VERDE
5. EVIL SPIRIT, GET OUT! – NIGERIA
6. THE PROPHESY – SENEGAL
7. OPERATION WAKALIGA – FATE AND BLOOD – UGANDA/ISREAL

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY

1. OKE OKUTA – NIGERIA
2. RED IS ROSE – GHANA
3. JUJUMAN – UNITED KINGDOM
4. 12 HOUR – NIGERIA
5. THE GOLDEN BOY – UNITED KINGDOM
6. FADING ECHO – NIGERIA

BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY

1. TURNS – NIGERIA
2. LEO’S PARTY – BRAZIL
3. KAKA – NIGERIA
4. DYSTOPIK – FILM STUDY AND NOTES FOR AN AGONY – FRANCE
5. JAGUN JAGUN – NIGERIA
6. KISMET – CAMEROON
7. MY LOVE FROM ANOTHER LAND – UGANDA/NIGERIA
8. FOUR QUARTERS – RUSSIAN FEDERATION

BEST FEATURE FILM: FOREIGN
1. THE UMESH CHRONICLES – INDIA
2. END OF THE RIVER – BULGARIA
3. FOUR QUARTERS – RUSSIAN FEDERATION
4. WAYUNAGU – HONDURAS
5. WIDOWS GIFT – GHANA
6. PEREPHERIC LOVE – SWITZERLAND
7. AGAINST ALL – ANGOLA
8. DEAD MENS WISH – CAMEROON
9. 404.1 – MOROCCO

BEST FEATURE: INDIGENOUS

1. KAKA – PRINCE ABOKI DANIEL
2. JAGUN JAGUN – ADEBAYO TIJANNI
3. ADUNNI OGIDAN’BIRIN – YEMI AMODU
4. MENDING – ROBERT PETERS
5. UNKNOWN PANDEMIC – TUNDE OLAOYE
6. OVER THE BRIDGE – TOLULOPE AJAYI
7. MZINGO BURDEN – EMMANUEL IKUBEZE
8. MY NAME IS MISAN – UYOYOU ADIA

BEST SHORT FILM: NIGERIA

1. NKEM – AYODELE OGUNDIPE
2. OKE OKUTA – ADEOLA OSUNKOJO
3. THE HOTEL ROOM – UYOYOU ADIAA
4. SA’ANA – BOLA ADEBISI
5. CRY ME AWAKE – SMART EDIKAN
6. BETRAYAL OF THE STAR – ESTHER EFFIONG
7. 12 HOURS – TOBE NOSIKE

BEST SHORT FILM: FOREIGN

1. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT CONSENT – JAMAICA
2. VALET – USA
3. GOLDEN BOY – UNITED KINGDOM
4. WHAT WE DON’T SAY – SPAIN
5. UNEXPECTED END – CANADA
6. RED IS FOR ROSE – GHANA

BEST FILM IN EDITING
1. FOUR QUARTERS – RUSSIAN FEDERATION
2. A WARM CHRISTMAS – NIGERIA
3. PREIPHERIC LOVE – SWITZERLAND
4. JAGUN JAGUN – NIGERIA
5. 404.1 – MOROCCO
6. DUTY – NIGERIA
7. OVER THE BRIDGE – NIGERIA
8. LUCY – A PIONEER DESTINY – ITALY

BEST STUDENT FILM

1. THE PROPHESY – SENEGAL
2. THE FEELINGS I WEAR – NIG/USA
3. EVIL SPIRIT GET OUT – NIG

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR

1. STREETS OF DECEIT – DAVE HAYLLAR
2. OVER THE BRIDGE – OZY AGU – NIGERIA
3. LUKAS – ALANJANDRO COOPER – NAMIBIA
4. UNKNOWN PANDEMIC – JIDEKENE ACHUFUSI – NIGERIA
5. KISUM – NOVO IMONIEROH – NIGERIA
6. JAGUN JAGUN (THE WARRIOR) – FEMI LATEEF ADEBAYO – NIGERIA
7. 12 HOURS – STAN EZE – NIGERIA
8. LEO’S PARTY – AUTHUR FERREIRA – BRAZIL

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTRESS

1. FROM EMBERS – KARA WANG – USA
2. UNKNOWN PANDEMIC – KEHINDE BANKOLE – NIGERIA
3. TENDER HEDGES – TANA EGBO ADELANA – NIGERIA
4. THE UMESH CHRONICLES – AIZA KHAN – INDIA
5. THE THORNS – OMOWUNMI DADA -NIGERIA
6. FOUR QUATERS – ANASTASIA ERMOSHINA – RUSSIAN FEDERATION
7. 404.1 – HASSNAA MOUMNI – M0ROCCO
8. KAKA – FAIZAL ABDULLAHI – NIGERIA
9. KISMET – LUM NORA NEBA – CAMEROON

OUTSTANDING IN FILM DIRECTING

1. LUC WALPOTH – PERIPHERIC LOVE – SWITZERLAND
2. TOPE ADEBAYO/ADEBAYO TIJANNI – JAGUN JAGUN – NIGERIA
3. 404.1 – YOUNESS REGGAB – MOROCCO
4. ROBERT PETERS – MENDING – NIGERIA
5. EVGENYA TIRDATOVA – FOUR QUARTERS – RUSSIAN FEDERATION
6. TOLULOPE AJAYI – OVER THE BRIDGE – NIGERIA
7. NGANG ROMANUS NTSEH – KISMET – CAMEROON

OUTSTANDING MUSIC SCORE

1. KISMET – CAMEROON
2. TENDER HEDGES – NIGERIA
3. WIDOWS GIFT – GHANA
4. TOMMOROW – NIGERIA
5. RUNAWAY SPANNER – NIGERIA
6. SODADE – CAPE VERDE
7. KAKA – NIGERIA
8. VAINGLORIOUS – USA

GOLDEN JURY FILM

1. END OF TRIP SAHARA – SPAIN
2. JAGUN JAGUN – NIGERIA
3. 404.1 – MOROCCO
4. FOUR QUARTERS – RUSSIAN FEDERATION
5. OVER THE BRIDGE – NIGERIA
6. KISMET – CAMEROON
7. KAKA – NIGERIA

7. AIFF AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD

TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE FESTIVAL