Filmmaker, James Amuta’s neo-noir drama, ‘Black Harvest’, is set to make its world debut with its screening at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film is slated to screen at TIFF Bell Light House in Toronto Canada as part of the 48th edition of the annual festival in September.
The film, which shines a necessary spotlight on the booming but illegal kidney harvesting industry in Lagos and other parts of the country, also reportedky received a nomination for Best Picture in the Drama category on the sideline of the festival which runs between September 7 and 17, 2023.
‘Black Harvest’ chronicles the underworld of illegal organ trafficking and transplant tourism. It follows the story of some goons for hire guarding hostages who were held in a kidnap-for-ransom situation. They soon discover that their employer’s business isn’t exactly what was advertised, as they find themselves in the same predicaments as their victims.
Speaking on the significance of the film’s global premiere, Amuta told Shock NG: “The hardest part of the filmmaking process comes after your film is completed and now needs to get the audiences, so getting to show it, for the first time, on such a huge global platform comes with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. You’re excited that the most influential brands name in the global film market will get to see your film, but you’re anxious at the same time.”
The movie stars Zack Orji, Kelechi Udegbe, Elina Baby Ibru, Greg ‘Teddy Bear’ Ojefua, Michael Pankyes John, Lavinna Vermaa, Tope Olowoniyan, Olasope Ola, Amaka Samuel-Okon, Peter Inyang, Laurence Smith, Rodrigo Beddie-Memberr, Etta JoMaria, Nansy MrsHustle and Joshua Adigwe.
TIFF has proven to be one of the major global festivals through which the Nigerian film industry is gaining recognition.