{"id":23111,"date":"2016-08-21T12:15:26","date_gmt":"2016-08-21T16:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cultureaddicts.com\/?p=23111"},"modified":"2017-08-13T11:45:17","modified_gmt":"2017-08-13T15:45:17","slug":"toronto-international-film-festival-reveals-2016-city-to-city-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cultureaddicts.com\/?p=23111","title":{"rendered":"Toronto International Film Festival reveals 2016 City to City programme"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TIFFThe 41st Toronto International Film Festival\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0shines its spotlight on eight fearless features from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, for the eighth edition of the\u00a0City to City programme. The lineup showcases gutsy new works by contemporary directors living and working in one of the world\u2019s biggest film industries.<\/p>\n

\u201cHundreds of films are made every year in Lagos for a voracious audience around the world. Our City to City spotlight brings some of Nollywood’s most popular filmmakers together with new voices who are introducing an alternative, indie spirit to Nigerian cinema<\/em>,\u201d said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. \u201cWe’re excited to share this unprecedented showcase of talent from Lagos with our Toronto audience<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

City to City showcases filmmakers living and working in a selected city, regardless of where their films are set. Cities featured in past programmes include London, Seoul, Athens, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Istanbul and Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year we\u2019ve also added an international component to our TIFF Rising Stars programme, and here we will spotlight two up-and-coming actors from Lagos: OC Ukeje and Somkele\u00a0Iyamah-Idhalama<\/em>,\u201d added Bailey.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past six years the Rising Stars talent accelerator has blossomed, and it\u2019s timely for us to shine an even wider spotlight on acting talent by embracing international actors<\/em>,\u201d said Kathleen Drumm, Director, Industry. \u201cThe Nigerian actors are a welcome addition and a natural evolution of what the programme aims to achieve<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two TIFF Rising Stars,\u00a0OC Ukeje\u00a0and\u00a0Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama,\u00a0will take part in a series of specialized programming, seminars\u00a0and workshops at the Festival, organized by TIFF\u2019s Industry team.<\/p>\n

Actor, film producer\u00a0and singer\u00a0Genevieve Nnaji\u00a0and actor, film producer\u00a0and director\u00a0Kunle Afolayan\u00a0will also join audiences for a unique and intimate discussion as part of the Festival\u2019s\u00a0In Conversation With\u2026\u00a0programme. The full lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 8 to 18, 2016.<\/p>\n

TIFF Rising Stars:<\/h5>\n

OC Ukeje<\/strong>
\nOC Ukeje is a Lagos-born actor, singer and performer. Winner of the 2006 Amstel Malta Box Office reality TV show for actors, he later trained at the New York Film Academy. He has won several Best Actor awards, including the Africa Magic Viewers\u2019 Choice Award, a Nigeria Entertainment Award, an Africa Movie Academy Award, and a Best of Nollywood Award. His films include Teco Benson\u2019s\u00a0Two Brides and a Baby<\/em>\u00a0(2011); Jeta Amata\u2019s\u00a0Black November<\/em>\u00a0(2012);\u00a0Half of a Yellow Sun<\/em>\u00a0(2013), based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie\u2019s bestselling novel; Destiny Ekaragha\u2019s\u00a0Gone too Far!<\/em>\u00a0(2013); Kenneth Gyang\u2019s\u00a0Confusion Na Wa<\/em>\u00a0(2013); Seyi Babatope\u2019s\u00a0When Love Happens<\/em>\u00a0(2014); the television series\u00a0Gidi Up<\/em>; Remi Vaughan-Richards\u2019\u00a0The Department<\/em>\u00a0(2015); Sara Blecher\u2019s\u00a0Ayanda<\/em>(2015); and Niyi Akinmolayan\u2019s\u00a0The Arbitration<\/em>\u00a0(2016), which plays at the Festival.<\/p>\n

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama<\/strong>
\nSomkele Iyamah-Idhalama is an actor, model, and fashion executive based in Lagos. A graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, she made her onscreen debut in the television series\u00a0The Island<\/em>. Her first leading role was in the television series\u00a0Gidi Up<\/em>. Recent projects include Steve Gukas\u2019\u00a093 Days<\/em>\u00a0(2016), Niyi Akinmolayan\u2019s\u00a0The Arbitration<\/em>(2016), and Kemi Adetiba\u2019s\u00a0The Wedding Party\u00a0<\/em>(2016), which will all screen at the Festival.<\/p>\n

Films screening as part of the City to City programme include:<\/h5>\n

76\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Izu Ojukwu, Nigeria;\u00a0World Premiere
\nIn a story inspired by true events, six years after the civil war in Nigeria, a heavily pregnant woman’s life crumbles when the news of her husband’s involvement in a botched military coup hits the headlines.\u00a0Starring Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Larry Williams, Adonija Owiriwa, Daniel K. Daniel, Memry Savanhu, Pat Nebo, Debo Oguns, and Adams Shuaibu.<\/p>\n

93 Days\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Steve Gukas, Nigeria;\u00a0World Premiere
\nA riveting real-life thriller about courageous health-care workers in Lagos battling the Ebola outbreak of 2014. Starring TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola, Tim Reid, Alastair Mackenzie, and Keppy Ekpenyong.<\/p>\n

The Arbitration<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Niyi Akinmolayan, Nigeria;\u00a0International Premiere
\nAn arbitration must deal with the messy corporate entanglements of a workplace affair that led to a possible rape in the fast-paced world of the Nigerian technology space. Starring TIFF Rising Stars OC Ukeje and Somkele\u00a0Iyamah-Idhalama, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, and Sola Fosudo.<\/p>\n

Green White Green<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Abba Makama, Nigeria;\u00a0World Premiere
\nA coming of age story about three young boys, from Nigeria’s major ethnic groups, on an adventure to make a short film inspired by the history of Nigeria. They embark on a roller coaster ride that will eventually lead them towards their individual paths to self-discovery.<\/p>\n

Just Not Married<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Uduak-Obong Patrick, Nigeria;\u00a0International Premiere
\nIn this caper comedy thriller, a bright but broke undergrad striving to escape the slums gets in over his head when his modest criminal enterprise goes a bit too far when he and his friends resort to stealing cars under the guise of being married.<\/p>\n

Okafor’s Law<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Omoni Oboli, Nigeria; World Premiere
\nChuks is a firm believer in Okafor’s Law which states that once a man has had a woman, he forever has access to her. Challenged by his friends to prove the validity of the law in 21 days, past girlfriends Ify, Kemi and Ejiro are brought back into his life.<\/p>\n

Oko Ashewo<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(Taxi Driver)\u00a0<\/em>Daniel Emeke Oriahi, Nigeria;\u00a0North American Premiere
\nAdigun, a struggling village mechanic, accepts an invitation from Taiwo, his late father’s best friend, to take over his father’s now vacant position as a taxi driver alongside him. Adigun, now tackling life in the heart of Lagos, is completely oblivious of the wheels that his mere arrival has inextricably set in motion.<\/p>\n

City to City opening night film:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Wedding Party\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Kemi Adetiba, Nigeria;\u00a0World Premiere
\nEveryone knows that there ain’t no party like a Nigerian wedding party\u2026 Especially when you throw in an insecure virgin bride, a reformed playboy groom, two overbearing mothers who can’t stand each other, one philandering husband, a high strung wedding planner, the invasion of unruly village gate-crashers, a thief on the loose, a best man with a flash-drive full of secrets, a sexy ex with vengeance on her mind, two loyal bridesmaids ready to go to war, and a brother seeking his father\u2019s approval. It is a hilarious melting pot of potential disaster.<\/p>\n

In Conversation With\u2026:<\/h5>\n

In Conversation With\u2026 Genevieve Nnaji and Kunle Afolayan<\/strong>
\nThis onstage conversation will explore Genevieve Nnaji and Kunle Afolayan\u2019s inspiring stories, illuminating the complex dynamics behind Nollywood\u2019s rise to prominence at home and all over the world.<\/p>\n

Following in the footsteps of his father, the beloved actor-producer-director Ade Love, Afolayan garnered accolades out of the gate with his directorial debut,\u00a0The Figurine\u00a0<\/em>(2009), and continues to innovate as a cinematic storyteller and industry heavyweight.\u00a0Afolayan has elevated the\u00a0standards and ambitions of Nigerian cinema over the past decade; from shooting on 35mm instead of digital cameras, to devising elaborate release strategies for his films, including his most recent venture,\u00a0The CEO<\/em>\u00a0(2016), which took place on an Air France flight from Lagos to Paris.<\/p>\n

Celebrated as the leading lady of Nollywood and the face of African cinema, Nnaji began her career as a child on the popular soap opera\u00a0Ripples<\/em>\u00a0and has since received multiple awards for her work in films such as\u00a0Ij\u00e9: The Journey<\/em>\u00a0(2010),\u00a0Half of a Yellow Sun\u00a0<\/em>(2013) and\u00a0Road to Yesterday<\/em>\u00a0(2015).\u00a0A producer and media entrepreneur, Nnaji\u00a0is also a singer and released her first album,\u00a0One Logologo Line<\/em>, in 2004.<\/p>\n

Purchase TIFF Choice ticket packages until\u00a0August 24,\u00a0while\u00a0quantities last, online 24 hours a day at\u00a0tiff.net\/tickets<\/a>; by phone from\u00a010am to 7pm ET\u00a0daily at 416.599.TIFF or\u00a01.888.599.8433<\/a>; or visit the Steve & Rashmi Gupta Box Office at TIFF Bell Lightbox in person from\u00a010am to 10pm ET\u00a0daily at TIFF Bell\u00a0Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival\u00ae\u00a0shines its spotlight on eight fearless features from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, for the eighth edition of the\u00a0City to […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15,1907,36],"tags":[3063,5364,1572,1240],"class_list":["post-23111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-film","category-news","category-toronto","tag-3063","tag-city-to-city-programme","tag-tiff","tag-toronto-international-film-festival"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureaddicts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/b3e9707a-850c-40a9-9c39-226216a2255e.jpg?fit=245%2C150","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2B2TV-60L","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26449,"url":"http:\/\/cultureaddicts.com\/?p=26449","url_meta":{"origin":23111,"position":0},"title":"Toronto International Film Festival reveals 2017 TIFF Rising Stars","author":"cultureaddicts","date":"August 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Toronto International Film Festival\u00ae has introduced its participants for this year\u2019s TIFF Rising Stars\u00a0programme: Daniel Doheny, Mary Galloway, Th\u00e9odore Pellerin and Ellen Wong. 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