By BENJAMIN NJOKU
It was the first ever movie premiere to be witnessed  in Nollywood this year. And as expected, notable  celebrities trooped out to grace the occasion.

From Ego Boyo (of the now rested soap, Checkmate), CEO of Temple Productions to Emeka Ike, who stormed the event venue in all his glory, the colourful premiere of Odera Ozoka’s much talked about movie ‘Soul Diaspora” signalled the beginning of a new season for the industry.

Odera is a Nigerian film maker based in the United States reputed for producing  world class movies.

Other Nollywood stars that graced the event included Steph-Nora Okereke, Patrick Doyle, Mahmood  Ali-Balogun, Madu Chikwendu amongst others. The premiere was a celebration of the man and his work.

“Soul Diaspora’ is an unusual movie,produced  with a low budget of $20,000. The movie, already enjoying effusive attention globally has been nominated at several film festivals, and won many laurels regardless of its budget constraint.

Odera informed that he shot the thriller in ten days under harsh conditions. He co-produced the movie with a French actress and producer, Clotilde Delavennat. After the premiere, the film is expected to be released in June, in all the cinemas across the country, and other African countries.

The film debuted last year at LA’s Culver Plaza Theatres where the annual Pan African Film Festival was held amid pomp and pageantry.