AFRIFF Collaborates with NEFT Vodka and LG Electronics to Spotlight Nigerian Film Talent

• Three Top Films To Be Screened At AFRIFF

• Competition Winner Receives $5000

• LG OLED NEFTI Audience Choice Award Winner Receives $2000

• The Four Finalists Are Cheyi Okoaye; Temidayo Johnson; Hassan the Kreator and Joanna Okey Ogunjiofor

Currently in its fourth year, the N.E.F.T.I. (NEFT Emerging Film Talent International) competition – originally developed by NEFTI Founder, PAUL ROBINSON with NEFT VODKA - aims to challenge aspiring filmmakers across NIGERIA to showcase their innovative and creative skills while embracing their uniqueness. This year, the NEFTI competition is powered by NEFT Vodka, LG ELECTRONICS and AFRIFF, forging a collaboration to highlight and promote young African filmmakers.

The contestants and top filmmakers are selected by NEFTI and AFRIFF's network of filmmakers, alongside audiences from TikTok and other social media outlets.

The 10 filmmakers selected presented a ZOOM pitch of their film concept to a panel of judges consisting of 3 leading film industry professionals - Acclaimed Actress Vivica A Fox, Academy and Tony Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen, and President of Post-Production 21st Century Fox/Disney Ted Gagliano - and Moreetsi Gabang, 2023 NEFTI Africa winner.

From the top 10 shortlisted filmmakers, 4 finalists emerged - Cheyi Okoaye; Temidayo Johnson; Hassan the Kreator and Joanna Okey Ogunjiofor. After 30 days, the contestants submitted their complete films, including behind-the-scenes clips documenting their journey. These filmmakers will be further mentored by NEFTI founder and Chief Creative Officer of NEFT Vodka, Paul Robinson, who will guide them through the filmmaking process. All of these interactions will be recorded and edited into the final submission.

According to Paul Robinson, “One of the highlights of this NEFTI Africa competition is getting to work with so many talented filmmakers, there is such a diverse group of largely underrepresented talent on the African continent and bringing an opportunity to showcase their stories is what the NEFTI Competition is all about.”

Mr Robinson will hold a panel discussion with NEFTI participants on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, during the AFRIFF Industry program at the FilmHouse Landmark Centre.

There will be a final screening of the top 3 films at the African Film Festival (AFRIFF), on Thursday, 9 November 2023, from 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM at the FilmHouse Twin Waters, Screen 7 after a live viewing of the judges’ deliberation, followed by the announcement of the top filmmaker. The event will be witnessed by the audience at the African Film Festival, along with an international online viewership to present an Audience Award with a $2,000 prize. The winning filmmaker will get $5,000 for their creativity.

The NEFTI Filmmakers Competition is proudly supported by LG Electronics, The International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), Adobe, AFRIFF and TikTok.

The N.E.F.T.I. competition was created to find and inspire talented emerging filmmakers internationally and give them an opportunity to spotlight their visions and creativity, expand the filmmaker's reach into regions that may otherwise not have been available to them and to showcase the diverse creative process of filmmakers from a variety of backgrounds and environments.

For more information about NEFTI Africa please visit www.nefticompetition.com. Information can also be found on the NEFTI Instagram page @nefticompetition.