On Point Communications > Coverage > BUFF AWARDS > Nigerian film takes centre-stage at @buffenterprises BUFF 2019
Nigerian film takes centre-stage at @buffenterprises BUFF 2019
Nigeria’s rich and storied film heritage features heavily in this year’s 2019 British Urban Film Festival line-up announced in Central London by BUFF chairman and founder Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe.
Both the opening and closing night film selections are directed by Nigerians with Nigerian actors starring in both. The opening night film (screening at Odeon Holloway Road on 1st September) is Lara and the Beat – directed by Tosin Coker and starring Seyi Shay (born in Tottenham, England) and Wale Ojo (who starred in British-based comedy ‘Meet the Adebanjo’s’). One of Nigeria’s most loved actors, Chinedu Ikedieze also stars in the romantic comedy drama about 2 sisters coming to terms with the legacy of their family’s media empire.
In February, the film made it’s world premiere in Los Angeles at the Oscar-recognised Pan African Film Festival (PAFF). September will see it’s UK premiere at BUFF.
Also making it’s UK premiere at BUFF in September is ‘Faces’ (screening at Odeon Holloway Road on 6th September) – directed by Joseph A Adesulonye and starring South African actress Terry Pheto and British-based Nigerian actor Aki Omoshaybi. ‘Faces’ is a multi-narrative feature film set across four storylines that follow a group of characters as their lives begin to unravel.
Of the 40 short films in competition at BUFF 2019, selected titles to look out for are ‘Oathbound’ (directed by Ola Laniyan), ‘Dear Mr Shakespeare’ (directed by Shola Amoo) ‘Onye Nmefie (The Trespasser)’ – directed by William Alexander Boyd, ‘Wilson’ (directed by John Ogunmuyiwa) and ‘Hatima’ (co-directed by Funke Alafiatayo and Damilola Babalola).