Filmmakers of African origin living in the United Kingdom have converged to form a formidable group called the UK Nollywood Producers Guild, UKNPG.
The official inauguration of the body was held recently at the historic buildings of the British Houses of Parliament, in Westminster.
A statement issued by PRO of the Guild, HRM Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade, disclosed that the evening was an enjoyable affair with speeches from the top table; a screening of a compilation of film trailers from some of the Producers; the Guild’s Executive Committee along with other members were decorated with Badges inscribed UKNPG.
The respected filmmaker noted that the group was formed to channel creative ingenuity of African filmmakers in the UK in a manner that is both artistically and financially beneficial to all.
She remarked that independent film producers from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Kenya, South Africa and other African nations agreed to work together under the umbrella of UKNPG to have a common and united association.
Ibekwe-Oyebade explained that the name ‘Nollywood’ is a reflection of the strength of the idea started in Nigeria; that has become so powerful that it has now come to encompass the entire continent of filmmakers.
Some of those that graced the epic occasion were Jeremy Lefroy, the MP representing Stafford, the event’s Sponsor and Chair; Jim Shannon, the MP for Strangford; Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Minister for Culture, Education & Welfare, representing the Nigeria High Commissioner; Brigadier General G Oyefesobi, Defence Advisor at Nigeria House.
Others were the Guild’s new Matron and Co-Chair of the Event, Michelle Akintoye of BritAfrique; the Directors of Nollywood Movies TV, Dipo Winsala and Alfred Soroh; David Somerset, representing BFI – the British Film Institute; the Directors of Talking Drum Entertainment, Dapo Oshiyemi and Moses Babatope; popular Promoter and supporter of Nollywood, DJ Abass Tijani; Reverend George Hargreaves, whom was decorated as the Guild’s Patron; the President of Hendon Rotary Club, Michelle Adeyinka; and a host of others, under the President, Ruke Amata, a founding member of the Association of Movie Producers Nigeria (AMP) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).
