Supple Magazine Blog

Monday, June 10, 2013

NDDIS TO ASSIST NIGERIANS IN THE UK TO SET UP BUSINESSES AND PROJECTS IN NIGERIA

The NDDIS partners with CANUK, (the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK), NIDOE (UK South) and the the Nigerian High Commission, London, to help Nigerians to set up small and medium companies in Nigeria. Towards this, a Business to Business summit is planned for the 28th of June in London bring Nigerians in the UK to meet important stakeholders from Nigeria in a face to face deal room to help them strike deals that can lead to the actualisation of their investment dreams.

According to the organizers there have been too many 'talkshops' in London that do not directly address the problems of Nigerians in the UK and this summit has been designed to inspire action on the part of all concerned to help the Nigerian government to tap into the resources within the Nigerian community in the Diaspora as important agents of change.

The project is in partnership with the NIPC, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, British African Business Alliance and Business Council of Africa and several other stake holders. With the backing of the Federal Minister of Trade and Investments, Segun Aganga, the High Commissioner, Dr Sarki Dalhatu Tafida, the Federal House Committee Chair on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri, several state governors, including those of Oyo, Kogi, Kaduna and Bayelsa and their wives have been lined up to network with Diasporans and friends of Nigeria on the day, while two major Nigerian Banks, Stanbic Bank and EcoBank have been invited to show Nigerians in the UK their Diasporan offerings like Business Loans, Mortgages and other products. Shell from Nigeria are expected to come to the summit with several Millions of Dollars worth of contracts under the local content act to tempt Nigerians in the UK to focus on Nigeria at a time Europe is experiencing a slow growth rate.

Other partners and sponsors of this initiative include, NTA, BenTV, Nigeria Watch, Trumpet, Arik Air The conference takes place at the Grand Hotel, 8, Northumberland Avenue, London (just next door to the Nigerian High Commission) on the 28th of June and participants have been advised to register online before the D-Day at : www.nddis.com on a first come first served basis.

To register, visit: www.nddis.com

When you register your name in Bracket add T

eg Helen(T)

. . . By Theodora UK

Sunday, June 9, 2013

NADAL WINS FRENCH OPEN 2013

NADAL

Nadal became the first man in history to win any of the Slams eight times and also became the most successful player ever at the French Open, with 59 victories and just one loss to his name in nine years.

Nadal, who had beaten Ferrer in 16 consecutive clay court clashes coming into the match, made a unsurprisingly confident start, breaking his opponent’s serve in just the third game. The game ended 6-3 6-2 6-3 win over compatriot David Ferrer.

DR KEM WINS MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AWARDS 2013

DR KEM (NKEM) THOMPSON

LONDON-BASED, ZAMBIAN-BORN, NIGERIAN DOCTOR WINS PRESTIGIOUS “MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER OF THE YEAR 2013” AWARD!

First Ever Medical Professional To Win The Award
Dr Kem (Nkem) Thompson, a General Practitioner based in North London, has just been awarded the ‘Motivational Speaker of The Year Award’ at the 2013 Women4Africa Awards which took place at the Kensington Town Hall

The Women 4 Africa Awards recognises and celebrates Outstanding UK-Based African women in various categories, whose efforts have positively impacted the community.

Dr Thompson was being recognized for her various Health-based Motivational talks that she delivered during the previous year in various communities, which each received rave reviews, with attendees asking for more. Audiences love Dr Kem's fresh, no-nonsense yet non-judgemental approach to the topics she covers, and they leave empowered with practical tools they can use to improve their health.

She is becoming widely known as “the” doctor to talk to if you wish to come off medication for such chronic illnesses as Diabetes (type 2) and Hypertension, and if you wish to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits to manage your weight safely. Her no-bull, down-to-earth approach gets her invited back for more presentations.

Dr Thompson’s passion is obvious when she speaks, and this is what keeps her audiences rivetted.

Accepting the speech in absentia, Dr Kem as she is fondly known, said “"I wish to first give all thanks and praise to my heavenly Father YAHUAH who has given me every good gift I possess. Thank you to everyone whose input has contributed to my winning this award, special mention to multiple awards winning Dayo Olomu for his unique role in the process. I'd like everyone here to know this: if you have a desire or dream in your heart, know that it's been put in there by your Maker, and with it, He's give you the ability to make it come true. So feed your dream, nurture it, go for it with all you've got - and at the right time, you WILL see the fruits of your efforts. You've got what it takes to make it and you WILL succeed if you don't give up! Thank you!”

Dr Kem is not your average medic. She’s also a prolific writer, having been published widely in both online and offline media, has published a book on inspirational principles for women, and is working on a health-related inspirational book at the moment. She walks her talk and overcame breast cancer in 2011 using the principles she is so passionate about sharing with her audiences.

She said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award. I hope it opens doors for me to reach a wider audience with my message of Positive Personal Proactive HealthCare (aka don’t just sit there, DO SOMETHING about your own health!), because from my day job, I see that it’s a message that’s sorely needed today.”

. . . By Theodora Ibekwe

THE 34TH DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS OPENING NIGHT FILM

JAHMIL XT QUBEKA AND MOTHUSI MAGANO AS PARKER ON LOCATION

Raising the curtain at the 34th Durban International Film Festival, which is principally funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, is the challenging and evocative, yet humorous film, Of Good Report, from South African director Jahmil XT Qubeka. In what he describes as “a passionate homage to classic film noir”, Qubeka’s latest offering, which has its world premiere at the festival on July 18, tells the sombre tale of a small-town high-school teacher with a penchant for young girls. The director’s third feature is an hypnotically engaging journey into the soul of a mentally troubled man.

The trouble for Parker Sithole (Mothusi Magano) begins when he accepts an invitation to a drinking session at the local tavern. Here, he meets the undeniably gorgeous Nolitha Ngubane (Petronella Tshuma). Captivated by her beauty, Parker experiences an ecstasy he’s never known before and truly feels like a man reborn. From this mutual attraction, an illicit affair ensues. However, there ’s just one problem: the beautiful Nolitha is one of Parker’s pupils and just sixteen years old. Parker quickly spirals into a deep obsession that ultimately turns to a tragedy.

ACTOR LIHIOBO MANGUGU BEHIND THE SCENE "OF GOOD REPORT"

Six months later, the sociopathic Parker has moved on from his previous job. Trudging along the barren landscape, he stumbles upon an opportunity for a fresh start. According to a caption on an old strewn newspaper, there is a shortage of teachers in Zimbabwe. A qualified educator like him shouldn't struggle to find a post; after all, he does come ‘of good report’.

In Qubeka’s words, Of Good Report, which is produced by Mike Auret and Luzuko Dilima (Spier Films), “is a serial killer origins story about how a social misfit turns into an inadequate man hell-bent on satisfying his shameful lust. It is Little Red Riding Hood, told from the wolf’s perspective.”

The director of television programmes and documentaries for production houses such as Ochre Media and Urban Brew Studios, Qubeka’s documentary and feature film work has screened at festivals around the world. He has directed Talk to Me, an hour-long HIV/Aids documentary special with Sesame Street New York, which won the Peabody Award for best Actuality Programming. He also produced the low budget feature film uMalusi, which was released by Ster Kinekor in March 2009. His second feature, A Small Town Called Descent enjoyed its world premiere at the 31st Durban International Film Festival, and won the Founders' Award for Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival.201

BEHIND THE SCENE PETROLLENA NGUBANE PLAYS NOLITHA NGUBAN 2

Says Peter Machen, newly appointed manager of the Durban International Film Festival: “We are extremely happy to be opening DIFF 2013 with Jahmil's brave and remarkable film. Of Good Report does so much more than simply telling a South African story – the film redefines the local filmmaking landscape and extends the language of African filmmaking while acknowledging the rich history of global cinema”.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from July 18 – 28, 2013. The Festival includes 170 theatrical screenings, a full seminar/workshop programme as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and industry initiatives: the 6th Talent Campus Durban (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 4th Durban FilmMart (the co-production market in partnership with the Durban Film Office), with the Wild Talk Africa Festival taking place in the city from July 23 to 26. For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za

The 34th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, and a range of other valued partners.

Nigerian Film and Television Academy Awards 2013 (TERRACOTTA)

The organisers of the Nigerian Film and Television Awards, now Nigerian Film and Television Academy Awards, theTERRACOTTA AWARDS has open entries into their 2013 edition of the awards schedule to take place on the 9th of November 2013 at the Muson center Onikan Lagos. The entries were declared open into different categories on 1st of June and will close on the 31 August 2013. According to the project coordinator, Mr. Charles Ukiri, ’’ TERRACOTTA, a Nigerian Film and Television Awards is now Nigerian Film and Television Academy Awards, and the awards plaque(s) shall be called the Terracotta(s). This year’s Theme still remains, Imagine Life without Television.’’

Terracotta was known as a Nigerian Film & Television Awards, but having look inwards and done our research it is pertinent that the awards not only reward excellence in innovation and creativity in the Nigerian film & television genre but also facilitate platforms for practitioners and stakeholders to interact through our symposium, seminars to disseminate information and workshops to keep up with the trend in the world of audio-visual creative world brought about the change to a Nigerian Film and Television Academy Awards yet maintaining her TERRACOTTA BRAND IMAGE to enhance, educate and update all stakeholders before and after the awards ceremony.

To achieve all this, the brand is partnering with Nigeria broadcasting commission (NBC), Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Federal ministry of Information and communication and other stakeholders in the film and television industry.

Series of activities has been lined up towards the execution of the Terracotta Awards 2013 which includes our annual CORPORATE Nigeria nite, the symposium tagged “ALL HANDS ON DECK” and the launch of TERRA’S new baby,WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION NIGERIA.

You will recall that both the last edition of the Corporate Nigeria nite and the Terracotta awards were sponsored by Peugeot of PAN Nigeria.

Entries are being accepted in these categories,

TELEVISION

TV Drama, TV Soap, TV Comedy, TV Non-Fiction, Craft Awards

FILM

Feature Films, Documentaries, Animation

The Terracotta Awards 2013 slated for 9th November in Lagos in line with the change and function of new brand feasibility.

Friday, June 7, 2013

DELEGATE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR DURBAN FILMMART

CLARE DOWNS

Durban South Africa: Delegate registration for Durban FilmMart (DFM) opens today (June 6), with the continent's premier film finance and co-production forum urging industry delegates to take advantage of the discounted early bird registration. Now in its fourth edition, the DFM takes place from 19-22 July and promises an exciting programme of masterclasses and networking opportunities.

The Durban FilmMart - a joint project of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) - is an African co-production market that provides a platform for international experts, broadcasters, financiers and filmmakers to meet and develop strategic partnerships that get films made. The four-day event comprises of a programme of Master classes, Africa in Focus panels, networking functions, the DOC Circle Pitching Forum and the Finance Forum for selected projects of the market. Delegates will also get to enjoy the selection of films screening at the Durban International Film Festival.

“The FilmMart objective is to facilitate the development of African film content and to fuel business and employment opportunities within this sector on the continent,” says Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty. “We have seen some strong projects emerge from the Finance Forum programme into theatrical exhibition and onto important international film festivals.

We have also seen how the DFM has become an important meeting point for film-makers from South Africa, Africa and increasingly from beyond the continent to network and engage in meetings, discussions, master classes and further develop their professional careers.”

JONES REISS

The Durban FilmMart programme features a range of masterclasses presented by leading industry experts on a wide range of topics ranging from world trends in co-production to finance, distribution, script development and new media. Africa in Focus is comprised of a range of seminars and panel discussions featuring local and international filmmakers experts, specifically dealing with salient issues in African cinema. DOC Circle Pitching Forum is a high-level pitching event where the selected documentary projects of the DFM as well those of as Talent Campus Durban's Doc Station pitch to an audience of financiers, commissioning editors and broadcasters as well as DFM delegates. This pitching forum is invaluable for the development of new filmmakers. In addition, Durban FilmMart delegates have access to a range of networking events attended by key industry professionals . Delegates can also attend workshops, seminars and screenings in the festival .

World-renowned film expert Clare Downs will present a scriptwriting workshop entitled Strategies for development: the Agony and Ecstasy. Clare Downs is a founding member of the script analysis team for EAVE and has worked in training, script development, producing and writing for over three decades. Clare has been involved in many international development and training programmes

CHRISTOPH THOKE

including the Southern African Producer training programme AVEA (2000 -2005).

Filmmaker, author, strategist and consultant John Reiss will present a transmedia masterclass drawing from his critically acclaimed book Think Outside the Box Office -The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution in the Digital Era. John Reiss is the director of numerous films including the documentaries Bomb It and Bomb It 2, which look at the subversive and often controversial international subcultures around graffiti.

Presenting a masterclass on co-production entitled The Art of Working Together is Christoph Thoke, a German film and television producer and president of Mogador Film, who has worked for leading German/French broadcaster ARTE and German production companies including Bavaria Films, Taunus Film and CineMedia. Mogador’s first film Lorna's Silence by the Dardene Brothers was selected in competition for Cannes 2008 and screened at the Durban International Film Festival.

Marketing and Publicity for Cinema: the Mentality to Promote is the masterclass to be presented by film distribution and marketing expert Alvaro Vega of Vertigo Films - Spain's leading distribution company (recently incorporated into Wild Bunch). Vega has been involved in the distribution of films for leading directors including David Lynch, Gus Van Sant, Wong Kar-Wai, Mike Leigh and Sofia Coppola.

A number of local, continental and international broadcasters,as well as various government agencies, film commissions, and distribution agencies will be in attendance, enabling delegates to establish contact and engage in one-on-one meetings.

ALVARO VEGA

This year the DFM partners and supporters include the International Film Festival Rotterdam's (IFFR) CineMart, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the Berlinale Film Festival, Worldview, and others. Attending DFM this year, the Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival - North America’s largest documentary film festival - through its Blue Ice Fund Group initiative will continue to facilitate a financing and mentorship

program for six African film grantees, awarded earlier this year. New partners include Paris Cinema’s film market Paris Project, who will select one project for their 2014 edition. Independent Filmmakers Project, America’s largest independent film non-profit, will select one DFM project to attend their lab for this year. ARTE returns to award a cash prize to the best fiction project, while Festival des 3 Continentes – Nantes and the International Organisation of Francophone will also be in attendance.

HOWARD THOMAS OF BUSVANNAH

Renowned South African film and television pitching coach, Howard Thomas of Busvannah Communications will deliver four one-hour primers on proposal writing and pitching, covering the areas of research, target audience, writing and budgeting. These primers are aimed at beginner and intermediate producers active in content producing and will form part of the Durban FilmMart and Talent Campus Durban programme, with limited seats available to the public.

Following the DFM, and running from 23 to 26 July, is Wild Talk Africa, Africa’s key film festival and conference for natural history and wildlife film and television programming. “This is also a great opportunity for delegates to stay on in Durban and take advantage of the valuable opportunities in factual television-producing and broadcasting that Wild Talk presents.” says Monty.

“This year DFM’s has a really strong contingent of top quality experts and industry representatives, which adds significant weight to the level of engagement that will take place.” says Peter Machen, Manager of the Durban International Film Festival. “We look forward to welcoming delegates and hope that they seize the opportunity to network with the peers and experts in a meaningful way, and that this year’s Durban FilmMart continues to stimulate the growth of the industry on the continent.”

The 4th edition of Durban FilmMart takes place from 19 - 22 July 2013 during the Durban International Film Festival and is now open for delegate registration. Early bird registration, which enables the delegate to be included in the industry manual closes on July 2 and costs R1250. Registration thereafter costs R1750 and closes on July 18.