The United States Consulate General in Lagos has honoured celebrated Nigerian actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly generally known as RMD, award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and 6 different inventive business leaders for his or her contributions to strengthening skilled and industrial ties between Hollywood and Nollywood.
The recognition was introduced at an occasion themed, ‘Reel Connections from Hollywood to Nollywood’, which introduced collectively main figures from Nigeria’s movie and tv industries, authorities officers, inventive business stakeholders and alumni of United States authorities alternate programmes.
The occasion additionally featured the posthumous presentation of the Creative Industry Legend Award to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, in recognition of his profession spanning greater than 5 many years and his contributions to Nigerian cinema and worldwide filmmaking.
Speaking on the occasion, the US Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth, described Nollywood as a rising supply of content material, expertise and funding alternatives for American corporations looking for to develop their engagement with African markets.
He famous that Nigerian tales and inventive abilities had been more and more reaching audiences within the United States and different components of the world by streaming companies and digital platforms, together with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and YouTube.
According to him, the increasing attain of Nigerian productions was creating new alternatives for collaboration, funding and entry to worldwide markets.
Hudspeth additionally highlighted the position of US authorities alternate programmes in constructing skilled networks and strengthening relationships between Nigerian and American inventive communities.
He recognized the American Film Showcase, Global Media Makers and the International Visitor Leadership Program as initiatives that had linked Nigerian inventive professionals with American filmmakers, producers, establishments and different business leaders.
“U.S. government exchange programs are not simply about what happens during the exchange,” Hudspeth mentioned.
“Their real impact is what happens when participants return home; the relationships they bring with them, the ideas they put into action, the creative collaborations they build, and the next generation they inspire.”
The US Consul General mentioned such relationships had helped set up skilled connections that continued to generate inventive collaborations past the period of the alternate programmes.
Paying tribute to Jacobs whereas presenting the posthumous award, Hudspeth described the late actor as one in every of Nigeria’s most celebrated display screen personalities, whose profession helped form the nation’s movie business and strengthen its connections with worldwide cinema.
“Olu Jacobs’ life embodied the kind of creative exchange that continues to connect Nigeria’s film industry with the United States and the world,” he mentioned.
Jacobs constructed a profession spanning theatre, tv and movie, incomes recognition for his performances in Nigerian productions in addition to worldwide cinema. His contribution to the business, the consulate mentioned, mirrored the chances created by exchanges between inventive communities throughout borders.
Other recipients of the popularity included Chioma Ude, founder and govt director of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF); Kunle Afolayan; and Bolanle Austen-Peters, each of whom are alumni of the American Film Showcase’s African Film and Television Leadership Initiative.
RMD, an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program, was additionally honoured alongside Zulu Oyibo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions and one other alumnus of the programme.
The remaining honourees had been award-winning producer Josh Olaoluwa, an alumnus of Global Media Makers, and Emmy Award-winning visible growth artist Uzoma Dunkwu.
The recognition highlighted the contributions of Nigerian actors, filmmakers, producers and different inventive professionals to increasing the worldwide attain of Nollywood and strengthening its relationships with international leisure industries.
The consulate mentioned the relationships constructed by alternate programmes remained necessary to fostering collaboration, creating inventive expertise and connecting the Nigerian movie business with worldwide markets.
Sunday Ehigiator
Follow us on:
