Nigerian wins best actress at Women’s International Film Festival

Maggie Osuome has won the best actress award at the premier Women’s International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFFEN).

The star of ‘Freedom Come’ beats other actresses from 130 countries to clinch the award at the maiden award presentation ceremony of the festival held in Abuja.

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The WIFFEN was organised by the Girls Voices Initiative as part of measures to celebrate International Women’s Day with a focus on the exploits of women in film globally.

The event was held in partnership with the French Embassy’s PISCCA Program and other partners.

A movie producer and actress, Etta Jomaria, who received the award on behalf of Maggie Osuome, commended the organisers for the recognition.

Jomaria was among the producers of ‘Omo Atoke’ which was among the short films nominated at the festival.

“A gathering where women are all together pushing each other and celebrating each other is one worth celebrating.

“So, I am so thrilled that I was able to make it and my film was selected and nominated for an award, it is a prestigious platform that I hope will never stop,” she said.

More than 16 categories of awards which included the best short film, best documentary and best student film were presented at the festival with films from the United States of America clinching four awards.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the best picture award which was won by a Ukrainian, Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko, for her role in ‘Carol of the Bells.’

The festival’s showrunner, Stephanie Odia, said the program was to celebrate women regardless of their continents or colour, adding that the jury selected the winners by merit.