In an exciting development, Igbinedion University Okada has been selected as the host for the inaugural International Students’ Film Festival. Dr. Lancelot Imasuen, the festival’s founder and CEO, led a delegation to the university to discuss the final preparations for the much-anticipated event, scheduled to take place from October 12th to 15th, 2023.
The International Students’ Film Festival aims to provide a dedicated platform for student filmmakers to showcase their creative works. With over 250 entries received from various countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, and Spain, the festival promises a diverse and captivating lineup.
To honour the memory of distinguished Nigerians and Nollywood legends, the festival organisers have introduced eleven award categories. These include the Emem Isong-Misodi Award for Best Student Script Writer, the Chief (Sir) Gabriel Igbinedion Award for Best Student Film on Culture, the Kennedy Uyi Oviahon Memorial Award for Best Comic Actor, the Captain Hosa Okunbo Memorial Award for Best Student Overall Film, and the Chico Ejiro Memorial Award for Best Student Actor, among others.
Dr. Lancelot Imasuen, who is also the director of the IUO-Benin Film Academy, expressed his vision to expand the festival’s reach beyond Nigeria, making it a prominent international event for student filmmakers across Africa and beyond. The festival will travel to different institutions in subsequent editions, ensuring that each location meets the required standards.
Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, believes that hosting the festival will provide numerous opportunities for the university. Prof. Ezemonye emphasised the importance of mentorship and practical experience in academia, highlighting the university’s involvement in entrepreneurship development through the Benin Film Academy, a pioneering initiative in collaboration with Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen and other industry veterans.
As a testament to his commitment to the festival’s success, Professor Ezemonye was honoured as the first grand patron of the International Students’ Film Festival. He called for the revitalization of industry-academia interactions through masterclasses, fostering a strong link between education and the film industry.
The maiden edition of the International Students’ Film Festival promises to be a groundbreaking event, celebrating the creativity and talent of student filmmakers. Igbinedion University Okada is thrilled to embrace this opportunity and is poised to make a significant contribution to the development of aspiring filmmakers associated with learning institutions.
