Professor of Media Arts Criticism at the University of Abuja, Daniel Omotsola, will chair the five-person jury of the 12th ZUMA Film Festival (ZUFF), the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) announced on Monday.
Joining Omotsola to judge entries for the festival themed ‘Show the Money’ and happening from December 1 to 7 are two academics and industry professionals.
They are Professor Alex Chinwuba Asigbo of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Oluwatosin Kooshima Tume, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nasiru Bappah Muhammed of Moving Image Film Production Company and President, Independent Television Producers of Nigeria (ITPAN), Yinka Oduniyi.
Omotsola, an eminent academic, has served and participated in various film festivals, film production development programmes and projects, and cultural activities.
Commenting on the jury’s composition, NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, said it is vital to a successful film festival.
The jury, he said, “is most critical to the selection of winning entries of ZUFF, which has set the pace in film festival organisation and management since it was rebranded in 2017 to become an annual event in December every year”.
The jury, he added, reflects the premium and niche ZUMA Film Festival has carved for itself among the fastest growing film festivals and market in the world.
Maduekwe assured that the NFC would deploy its capacity for a successful film festival open for domestic and foreign collaboration and partnership.
He further noted that the jury members, who have contributed immensely to the growth of film production in Nigeria, will bring their experience to bear as the NFC forges ahead to institute a world-class film festival.
Submission of entries for the festival is ongoing till October 30 and can be done through www.filmfreeway.com/zumafilmfestival; or to ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL Secretariat, Nigerian Film Corporation Headquarters, Jos Plateau State, as well as NFC Zonal Offices in Lagos, Asaba, Umuahia, Yola, Kano and Abuja.
Prizes would be given out in 10 categories, including Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Animation, Best Actress and Best Actor. Others are Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Picture and Best Indigenous Film.
