US consulate partners Eko Int’l Film Festival in American Film Showcase in Lagos

The United States Consulate General Lagos, in partnership with the Eko International Film Festival, will showcase contemporary American films on October 21 and October 24.  These documentaries by independent filmmakers uncover powerful stories of American youth overcoming social, cultural, business and inner growth challenges.

The showcase will be presented during the seventh edition of the Annual Eko International Film Festival in Lagos, starting at 9:00 a.m. at  Ozone Cinemas in Yaba on Friday, October 21, screening four American documentaries, and starting 9:00 a.m. at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island on Monday, October 24, screening two documentaries.  The screenings will also feature virtual dialogues with the American filmmakers.

“The American Film Showcase is a rare opportunity for all Nigerian film enthusiasts to watch great documentary films by independent American producers and directors, and hear from Nigerian and American film industry experts. The films insightfully portray diverse cultures in America, and they connect to common challenges for youth who yearn to achieve great things in the United States and Nigeria,” Public Affairs Officer Darcy Zotter said.

The American Film showcase is the U.S. Department of State’s premier film diplomacy program, connecting foreign audiences to film screenings and workshops with American filmmakers.

During the program, the participants will share their experiences and expertise while leading Nollywood artists, Nigerian academics, and students will discuss approaches to addressing common challenges specific to the filmmaking industry in Nigeria.

The films scheduled are:  Keepers of the Game by Judd Ehrlich, where Native American high school girls seek to prove the Mohawk game of lacrosse is their rightful inheritance while honoring their people’s tradition in a changing world.  CodeGirl by Leslie Chilcott follows girls from Moldova, Brazil and the United States trying to win a world competition in tech innovation and discovering something valuable in themselves.  Other films being shown include Generation Startup, following six recent graduates who put everything on the line to launch startups in Detroit, and I’m Not Racist…Am I?, with twelve New York teens examining racism in a year of intense workshops.