The Managing Director, Edo State Skill Development Agency, Ukinebo Dare has said that it has received about 1, 551 movie entries from 94 countries for the international film festival scheduled to hold in the state.
Dare who is also the co-chairman of the film festival disclosed this on Monday in Benin while unveiling the logo of the event.
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She said the film festival which is slated between September 1 and 4 is geared towards boosting the film industry in the state and employment.
Dare said, “During the festival, we are bringing international filmmakers to train our local filmmakers and expose them to the international world. The festival will also empower Edo citizens to take the centre stage in the film industry.
“We have received 1,551movies movies entries which come from 94 countries of the world for the Edo film festival. We also have a team of an international jury who would watch all the films and select the best movies that would be shown during the festival at Kada Cinema among others.
“We have three categories that would win cash prices. A price of $2,000 would go to the following categories; Best Student film; Best Technology film; and Best phone shot film. However, the winners would be announced during the festival.”
The Edo State Skill Development Agency boss further stated that about 200 movies would be shown during the four-day film festival which has partners like Kada Cinema, GIZ International, Presco company among others.
On his part, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Bamidele Obaitan, said the festival would enable Edo people to tell their story to the world, as the state’s story has since been narrated by other people.
He said the state government is also using the film festival to attract investment to the state and empower its citizens.