172 countries set for second Rivers International Film Festival

NO fewer than 2,230 films from 172 countries of the world have been submitted for participation in this year’s Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF).

The film festival, which is in its second edition, is to run from October 24 to 27 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

According to the founder and director of the festival, Kate Ezeigbo, “last year, we received 582 films from 82 countries. This year, we are proud to announce that we have about 2,230 submissions from 172 countries, including major entries from the United States and India.”

Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, Ezeigbo said the milestone achieved “explains the possible socio-cultural relationship that can exist between Rivers State by extension Nigeria and all of these countries.

She said: “The Rivers International Film festival was birthed in October 2023. It is the first indigenous film festival ever held in Rivers State, organised by Desgol Entertainment Worldwide.

“The RIFF is a humanity-based film festival with the vision to educate and empower the next generation of film makers.

“It was difficult to select movies to contest in the forth coming festival taking place between October 24 and-27, because they were too many beautiful and competitive movies,” she said.

The festival director noted that the requirements for this year’s film submissions are cultural analysis addressing gender inequality, sexuality, power dynamics, security and racism.

Others are issues on social justice at the national or regional level, stories addressing indigenous and cultural or racial groups that are usually marginalised, disabled and a wide variety of other cultures and communities who make up the diversity of human life.

Also, stories that tell the realms of technology, psychology, medicine and spirituality as they intersect with human beliefs and practices.

“This year, as part of our social impact responsibility to the creative industry, the following initiatives were introduced into the festival: The RIFF Free Medicals, RIFF Empowers, Pitch Your Project, Tour Rivers Initiative, Rivers Film Project.”

The free medical services for filmmakers initiative, according to Ezeigbo, is in response to the alarming health challenges faced by practitioners in the industry.

She said: “We discovered that film practitioners often neglect their health due to the nature of their work and we are providing free surgeries, routine checks and medication during the festival.”

READ ALSO: Bobrisky: Court orders Verydarkman to remove defamatory posts on Falana, Falz