By Benjamin Njoku

Bamidele Adelusi’s “SUKY” directed by Ola Cardoso has been announced as the opening feature film for the maiden edition of the Warri International Film Festival, WIFF. The festival will run from December 8 through 12 , in Warri, Delta State. The closing night will screen “Break of Dawn”, produced by Temisan Ereyitomi and directed by Umanu Elijah.

A total of 23 feature and short films are competing across 11 categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Director and Best Actor among others. SUKY” leads the lineup with 11 nominations followed by Temisan Ereyitomi’s “Break of Dawn” with 10 nominations. Other nominees are: Ghana’s “Heroes of Africa (five nominations); Zimbadwe’s “NYANGA (seven nominations); Cameroon’s ‘Dead Man’s Wish ( six nominations); Uganda’s ‘Dog City’ and the United States’ ‘What Do You Do” with one nomination each in the Best Short Film category, including Indian ‘Turtle Story’ that also got one nomination.

The feature film jury, chaired by veteran filmmaker, Amayo Uzo Philips, selected the lineup from over 100 submissions from Africa and the diaspora. Other jurors are Prof. Tony Adah, Miss Adenike Ayodele, Mr. Theophilus Akatugba and Mr. Joe Dudun.

The opening night is expected to be a showcase of the best of African cinema. It will have in attendance industry veterans, global filmmakers, politicians, dignitaries, and cultural icons of Warri extraction.

The festival is endorsed by Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri Federal Constituency) and Chief Ayiri Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom. Workshops and masterclasses will be led by industry professionals, aiming to reignite creative interest in Warri, once the film hub of Delta State.

Comrade Alex Eyengho, founder of WIFF, pledged that the event will become an annual celebration, positioning Warri as a “beehive” of cinematic activity. The Chairman of Warri Local Government Area will serve as chief host and will be honoured on the award night for his contributions to the locality.

As “SUKY” takes the opening slot, expectations are high that the film will set the tone for a festival showcasing the diversity, creativity and global reach of contemporary African cinema. The film, which was released early this year, follows the gripping journey of a man driven by vengeance and the need to reclaim what was stolen from him.