A firm, NEFT Vodka Nigeria, has announced the launch of a short film competition that is designed to allow filmmakers across the country to showcase their talent and creativity on a global stage.
The Head of Brands and Marketing at Enstore, distributors of NEFT Vodka in Nigeria, Folake Steaze Johnson, said in a statement that “the NEFT Emerging Film Talent International Short Film (NEFTi) Competition presents an exceptional opportunity for budding filmmakers to gain recognition, undergo mentorship from industry luminaries, and vie for a grand prize of $5,000 and an additional $2,000 for the Audience Choice Award.”
According to Steaze Johnson, the aim is to empower and encourage young filmmakers, propelling them to realise their aspirations and transform their creative visions into cinematic realities.
She said: “Our commitment to Nigeria inspired the move to bring the NEFTi Competition here. The country harbours a wealth of burgeoning talent, particularly in the creative industry, and our goal is to provide them with a platform that can elevate their status onto the global stage. NEFT Vodka is dedicated to fostering emerging talent in cinema and provides an exciting platform for talented individuals to shine.
“What sets the NEFTi competition apart is the commitment to nurturing talent beyond the prize money. Winners will have the invaluable chance to be mentored by esteemed industry professionals, who will offer guidance and insights to further develop their craft.”
The founder of NEFTI and CCO, NEFT Vodka, Paul Robinson, stated that “NEFTi is not just a competition nor is it just about making a short film. NEFTi is about education. It’s about helping film makers acquiring skills they may not have had the opportunity to learn in the past.
“We have the most amazing panel of judges joining me: Vivica Fox, Ted Gagliano, Bruce Cohen, Mareetsi Gabang (winner of NEFTi Africa 2023) and Femi Odugbemi (the Nigerian judge). The years of experience this group of judges brings to the table is invaluable for these filmmakers.”
The firm, which urged interested Nigerian filmmakers to submit their entries before Friday, said the final film screening and awards ceremony will take place at the AFRIFF 2023 event in November.
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