12TH ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS.

The Organisers of the 12th Abuja International Film Festival are pleased to announce the 2015 Award Winners. Each year, AIFF honors filmmakers from around the world in 15 categories for their exemplary work in 15 categories such as feature films, short films, animation, documentaries amongst others. community.

The award-winning filmmakers inspire, challenge and contribute to the profession’s creative base. They extend their work beyond the borders of filmmaking to societal development.

The award ceremony was held at the prestigious Silverbird Cinemas Abuja on 29th of September 2015 and had in attendance the creame de la creame of nollywood including members of the diplomatic corps and star actors. Below is the list comprehensive of the winners in the 15 categories ….. CONGRATULATIONS to all the award winners!

1.   BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM – UKRAINIAN – USA

2.    BEST ANIMATION FILM – PATE BY LUCAS JUDYNASTY – POLAND

3.    EFERE OZAKO BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM – AISHA’S STORY – NUHU DALOP

4.    OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM (FOREIGN) – PAINTED SKIN – 
       THE RESURRECTION

5.     BEST NIGERIAN FILM –  LASIGBO

6.     OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (NIGERIA) – KEKO BY KINGSLEY OBARO

7.     OUTSTANDING SHORT FILM (FOREIGN) – THE ONLY KING – INDIA

8.     OUTSTANDING COMIC FILM – BAD DROP – CHINA MCCOLLINS CHIDEBE

9.      OUTSTANDING FILM BY A STUDENT – SOCIAL LIVES BY SENATE EWAH

10.    OUTSTANDING MALE ACT IN A FILM – IKE OGBONNA – STOP

11.    OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACT IN A FILM – HILDA DOKUBO IN STIGMA

12.    OUTSTANDING FILM IN DIRECTING – LANCELLOT IMASUEN:  VICTIMS

13.     OUTSTANDING FILM IN MUSIC – HEART OF ISIAKU – NIGERIA

14.     GOLDEN JURY AWARD – PAINTED SKIN: THE RESSURECTION – CHINA

15.     VIEWERS CHOICE AWARD – HAZEEZAT – NIGERIA & SHADOWS –
         NIGERIA

Some of the influencial Filmmakers at the film festival included Zik Zulu Okafor (president of the Association of Movie Producers), Filmmakers Andy Boyo, Ralph Nwadike, Femi Branch, Charles Novia, Mrs Patricia Bala DG NFVCB, Mike Nliam, Francis Duru, Mr. Cheng Yan of the Chinese Embassy, Lancelott Imasuen, Mykel Parish of the African Film Commission, Obiora Chukwumba of the News Agency of Nigeria, Seun Oloketuyi CEO BON Awards, Filmmaker Lola Mkay from the UK amongst several others.

The theme of the festival this year is “Creative Industry as Employer of Labor” with  several discussions on issues that center how the industry can alleviate the unemployment issue in Nigeria. It was stressed that the industry employs a minimum of 65 individual on a single film set and there are more possibilities for the industry to contribute extensively to supporting the government in creating employment for more Nigerian youths.