By John Ugo
The Managing Director, Edo State Skill Development Agency, Ukinebo Dare has that it received 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 festival disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin the state capital while unveiling the logo of the festival.
She said the festival slated for between September 1 and 4 is geared towards boosting the film industry in the state and employment .
“During the festival we are bringing international film makers to train local film makers 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 1,551 movie entries which come from 94 country of the world for the Edo film festival. We also have a team of international jury which would watch all the films and select the best movies that would be showed during festival at Kada cinema among others.
“We have three categories that would win cash prices. The price of 2000 dollar each would go to each of the category. They Best Student film, Best Technology film and Best phone shot film and the winners would be announced during the festival”.
We are going to have 200 movies showing for the four days event and various partners like Kada Cinema, GIZ international, Presco company among others are sponsoring the event.
On his part, the commissioner for culture and tourism, Bamidele Obaitan, said the festival was to enable Edo people tell their own story to the world, as Edo story has been narrated by other people.
He said the state government is using the festival to attract investment to the state and empower its citizenry.
