By Japhet Alakam

THE African International Film Festival – AFRIFF 2015 might have come and gone, but one memory of the week long event that caught the attention of many was the participation of  foremost Nigerian automobile brand Peugeot in the festival. The company came not as real participant in the workshops or other events, but as a big supporter to the organizers of the Film Festival – AFRIFF 2015 with the provision of executive shuttle services for the 2015 edition.

The annual film festival which was held in different locations in Lagos has in attendance both domestic and international audiences from the Film industry. Maintaining its inaugural theme “Africa Unites”, the vision is to raise awareness in Africa about the vast potential the entertainment industry holds and the impact it can generate in the economy.

To establish bridges for partnership with international counterparts to ensure quality, expertise and global standards access the local industry, accelerating its sustainable development. AFRIFF also aims to re-establish Africa’s significance as the original birth home of civilization and indeed the last frontier for unique film stories and content development.

The weeklong event is set to become Africa’s new exciting annual destination for fantastic film experience and celebration every November, comprising a top class film programme; talent development and technical training series aimed at raising local industry standards; business sessions and networking opportunities, as well as a unique Film and Equipment market that will encourage and grow content trade out of Africa and global partnerships.

Since its inaugural edition, hosted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2010, the Festival has brought together over 2000 industry guests, 500 workshop participants and over 500 international entries from professional and amateur filmmakers around the world.

Speaking about its participation at this year’s edition of the event, Head, Marketing (PAN), Shepuya Icha, noted that, “AFRIFF is a world class festival that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international filmmakers and professionals, celebrities, actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, amateurs, equipment manufacturers, and the international press.

“The need to support the industry informed our support and participation at the festival.  We have provided the services of different range of our executive cars to help in the provision of shuttle services to participants at the festival and also to help provide seamless movement for the organisers of the event and all of their premium quests and partners”, she added.