Despite the biting economic crunch, Beeta Arts Festival returns, spotlighting four emerging theatre and film directors and an expanded international participation.
This year, the festival, in keeping with its mission as a springboard for emerging African talents and storytelling, is dedicating itself to adapting to stage works of young talents sourced via its Beeta Arts Foundation. It showcases three fledgling female theatre directors and a male director from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
Among the three female directors is Lindsey Efejuku, who directed the festival’s opening film, ‘For Amina’. She also directed the stage play ‘Amebo’ for the first time.
Shot in Abuja, ‘For Amina’ speaks of a mother’s fight against all odds to ensure a better education for her daughter and, in turn, their society.
For the festival founder, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, the film’s main character, Boma Ishaya, not only represents her deceased mother and champion of the festival but also the theme of the Beeta 2024 edition—‘We Are Here Now’.
She said that despite the harsh economic times and the challenge of annually seeking funds to run the festival, the obstacles are mere distractions from the main benefit of the festival, which is providing opportunities for emerging voices and talents.
“Our second year was the hardest. The venue has much to do with events like this in Abuja, but we have been fortunate that the Abuja Continental Hotel believes in this festival and has asked us to make it our home.
“It’s been a journey. Is it easy now? No, it is not. I am constantly reminded that consistency is key in everything I do. No one ever said the journey would be easy, but if you keep at it, it will get easier over time.”
Similarly, the festival is witnessing an international presence this year, with film screening submissions from Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, Namibia, and Kenya. This is in addition to films by emerging voices from Multichoice Talent Factor West Africa.
“From inception till date, there is no year we have not worked with emerging talents. It could be a first-time director, first-time writer or the first-time appearance in Beeta. This is because we believe in people and in developing their abilities.
“We believe that Abuja has something to offer creatively. We created this festival because we felt there was a vacuum of bringing different expressions of art under one space in Abuja,” said Graham-Douglas.
Festival Director Olarotimi Fakunle noted improvement in audience attendance, acceptance, and participation as examples of how the festival has impacted Abuja and its creatives.
The movie director and producer stated that the improvement had been impactful, particularly in bringing together the two different but creative energies in Lagos and Abuja, from importing all talents and crew from Lagos for the first edition to currently working with more Abuja-based talents for the festival.
“The exchange has been very impactful. Marrying two creative energies from different places is invaluable. We can share ideas with people here in Abuja and contemporaries outside the city and the FCT, which is precious. That can’t be bought.”
Beeta Arts Festival 4.0 runs December 6 to 8, 10am to 8pm, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, and holds in-store masterclasses, film screenings across three continents, and intriguing local title films and theatre productions by emerging voices.
