Entertainment
Villafest Film Festival Lights Up Imo
The quiet city of Owerri, the Imo State capital recently had an army of film makers, painters, sculptors and culture enthusiasts who stormed the maiden edition of the village arts and film festival, Villafest.
The festival which climaxed with a colourful awards night held at Beland Hotel signalled a revival of the moribund culture activities in the heartland state.
The film and arts festival held between December 16 and 18 at the states Centre for Arts and Culture opened with the screening of films from eight countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States.
The event also witnessed art exhibition, workshop, networking and master classes. It continued the following day with many aspiring filmmakers and stars taking advantage of the event to sharpen their crafts. There was also an Art exhibition which spiced up the event and helped to discover some of the untapped artistes at the grassroots who are begging for a space to showcase what stuff they are made of.
Film industry veterans like Francis Duru, Andy Boyo, among others took turns to train the participants on script writing, editing and directing. The festival climaxed with an awards nights which left many memories in the minds of those who graced the occasion. The night was stolen by the beauty queens in the state who graced the event.
At the end of the show, participants walked home with trophies for their contributions to the film industry across Africa. Andy Boyo walked home with the Best Director Award for his film, ‘Secrets of the Gods’, while Cameroonian, Kang Quintus won the Best Actor Award for his role in the film, ‘Fisherman’s Diary’.
Others that won awards on the night were Naboth from Uganda (Best Documentary Short), Firka Chanya from Tanzania (Best Narrative Short) and Oyentakuko from Nigeria (Best Original Sound track). Best Documentary Future went to Senegal while Cameroon and Nigeria took home the award for Best costume and Best Screen play respectively.
Speaking after the show, Eke who is also the founder of the annual The African Film Festival (TAFF), in Dallas Texas, the United States of America expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the festival. He described the festival as a great success, saying it came with great challenges, but everyday for three days, we had a great turn out of the young people, participating in art, exhibition and in film screening.
According to the founder, Villafest seeks to celebrate Africa’s culture and vibrancy through indigenous arts and films for the preservation of the people’s culture.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
