WHEN MO ABUDU DELIVERED A SLAMDUNK OF A PREMIERE FOR THE WEDDING PARTY 2 THAT WOWED, TITILLATED & WAS OPULENT!

Mosunmola Dominique Abudu

Toke Makinwa in Magnetic Elegance

Nancy Isime

Beverly Naya

Sultan Richard (Rasheed) Mofe Damijo

Ifeoma Williams

Toyin Lawani

Lanre Olusola

Sola Sobowale

The "queen of entertainment in Africa" aka Mo Abudu, whose fullname is "Mosunmola Dominique Abudu", the Ebony Life TV boss, the British-Nigerian lady of TV has done something that others would run and run very much to emulate for years to come. Her world premiere of a sequel she 'Executive Produced", which is most likely and most definitely going to wipe out all records set by any movie in Nigeria was undoubtedly a winning slamdunk. You all can be sure that awards would pour in, in torrents and like an avalanche! One only hopes they would have enough room to keep the trophies!

Imagine that "The Wedding Party's" first installment which we could tag part 1 now, may have raked in an unconfirmed estimated ₦500m, so what about this one, that is bigger in terms of budget and ambition and even production wise and much better in all ramifications, the fluidity of the whole process was exceptional.

More after the break.

OUT & ABOUT AT THE PREMIERE OF 18 CARAT MAMA IN LONDON

RITA NZELU-OKORO & THEODORA IBEKWE-OYEBADE

VICTORIA INYAMA

The best of the UK Nollywood scene all converged at the premiere of the 18 Carat Mama very recently. 18 Carat Mama is a feature film by Helen Gold and it is a comedy drama, the film aims to sensitize the general public on the need to be health conscious, especially as it concerns the early detection & prevention of Cervical Cancer through doing the smear test. 


So on the night of Friday, May 2, 2014  at the Odeon, the creme of the UK Nollywood society gathered for the premiere. Some of those we caught sight of were the likes of Victoria Inyama, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade, Toyin Moore, Rita Nzelu-Okoro, Lanre Balogun, Dr. & Mrs. Ayo Coker, Sam Anwuzia and so many more. 

It was a night of glee, pomp and panache, as all those who attended were dressed to the nines. We have a few of the pictures of what went down for your viewing pleasure. Pictures were courtesy www.syncphotosonline.com

Check them out!!!! 

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OUR PICTURE OF THE DAY PERSONALITY- TOYIN AIMAKHU-JOHNSON

Since she got married to her beloved beau Niyi Johnson a couple of months ago, she's not as visible as she used to be before. It's like she's either taking a sabbatical from films or she's gone on to some more lucrative engagements. 

Anyhow, we came across the actress a few days ago and we can't but agree that marriage seems to agree with her very well. Is that a hint of a baby bump we are seeing? Or is it that she's just looking very well fed? Hmmmmm, we would soon know in a few more weeks. 

Anyway, she's glowing no doubt!!!

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN WORLD PREMIERE YESTERDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2013 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Half of a Yellow Sun, the highly-anticipated film, had its world premiere at the 38^th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) yesterday, Sunday 8^th September 2013, at the Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto, Canada.

Half of a Yellow Sun’s premiere at the prestigious TIFF, is a particularly momentous occasion for Nigeria's booming film industry. Yesterday's event is the first ever red-carpet screening of a Nigerian film at a leading international film festival, and is a befitting debut for the sensational, one-of-a-kind, iconic production.

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RED CARPETS PICTURES AT THE HALF OF A YELLOW SUN PREMIERE AT THE TIFF 2013

CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

ONYEKA ONWENU

THANDIE NEWTON

ANIKA NONI ROSE, CHIWETEL EJIOFOR & THANDIE NEWTON

You all already saw Genevieve Nnaji one of the cast of the film, Half of a Yellow Sun written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, looking white hot on the red carpet at the film premiere. Now we have for you the pictures of all the others who are involved in the film, including the writer of the award winning novel- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie herself, look gloriously gorgeous in her yellow outfit. Elegant stallion Onyeka Onwenu was also on the red carpet looking gorgeous. 


Check out Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Biyi Bandele who is also directing MTV's Shuga, Anika Noni Rose and others at the premiere.


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GORGEOUS GENEVIEVE NNAJI AT THE PREMIERE OF HALF OF A YELLOW SUN IN TORONTO

Thespian extraordinaire-Genevieve Nnaji got her white on at the premiere of Half of a Yellow Sun going on in Canada right now at the Toronto Film Festival 2013. 

The 'everly' gorgeous thespian was looking resplendent in her white outfit, accessorized, carrying a clutch and simple stud earrings with that gorgeous gold belt. Simply Chic is all we have to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!Check her out!!!

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FUNKE AKINDELE-OLOYEDE 1 YEAR PLUS MARRIAGE PACKS UP

FUNKE AKINDELE

 

THE KISS OF LIFE NOW GONE SOUR

WEDDING DAY

It sounds unbelievable yes, but it's the truth. The signs that all was not well from just a few months after the big society wedding was glaring but everyone kept mute, wanting to see how things would unfold. After doing her best to patch it up, trying to see whether things could be worked out. At the end, the center could not hold together again and what was obvious and sure to happen has finally happened, Funke & her 1 year and few months husband have decided to pack it up. No more pretense!!!


Many who had seen the signs from the beginning had wondered at what the very humble actress was getting herself into, when she decided that Kehinde Oloyede was her choice. The guy was already married before and some had speculated he had already fathered between 8 and 10 kids from different women. So it was like the actress had of her own free will worked into a quagmire. Love truly must have been blind some exclaimed. 

The husband announced the separation today by himself on the Social Media via his Facebook page thus- 

"It’s with heavy heart that am announcing the separation of me nd ma wife Mrs olufunke akindele,we’ve both agreed to go our separate ways coz of irreconcilable differences.we still best of friends nd we 4ever remain gud friends.

He went on to add further-  ''Am doing just fine, gettn along without u,don't need y anymore in ma lie.u d greatest mistake av made in recent time."

And with those terse & rather insulting words he declares his marriage was over. A terrible shame we dear say.

NAFCA RELEASES AWARDS NOMINEES & CATEGORIES FOR 2013

BEVERLY NAYA- NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS & BEST SUPPORTING ROLES

GENEVIEVE NNAJI- NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS ROLE

This is the 3rd edition of what has been tagged the African Oscars- NAFCA which is the acronym for Nollywood & African Film Critics' Awards 2013 is set to be the most keenly contested edition of the awards till date. Set for September in Washington DC in the United States of America. The organisers are promising it would be the biggest they have done so far as they are expecting over 200 stars, celebrities etc to grace the event. Below are the nominees and their different categories contesting for the 'African Oscars' this year-2013.  Check them out. 


Upcoming actress- Beverly Naya is set for major contest with some of her more well established colleagues in some categories. It's Genevieve Nnaji vs. Beverly Naya in the 'Best actress in leading role category, where both would contest with Jackie Appiah, Iretiola Doyle & Mbufung Seikeh. While in the ' Best actress in supporting role, it's Beverly Naya vs. Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Patience Ozokwor & Kalsume Sinare. The young actress who only relocated back to Nigeria about 2 years ago got 2 nominations, just like Monalisa Chinda & Jackie Appiah. While a film she acted in Alan Poza got 6 nominations. 


ALL THE CATEGORIES & NOMINEES LIST BELOW. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW

KAKADU....THE FUNTASTIC MUSICAL. SET FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2013

We had an unbelievably glorious and heavenly experience a few weeks ago. It was our first experience attending a musical. And if the 10 minutes experience (snippet) we had, is a pointer to the full experience, then we believe all those who would attend at the end of the different shows slated for the whole of May 2013, would and must give standing ovations. 

Kakadu...the musical,''Lagos in the time of infinite possibilities'' is the first indigenous Dance, Drama & Musical production in Nigeria. For one to better appreciate what we are talking about, we need to give a little brief of what Kakadu itself represents.  

Kakadu Club was the watering hole of the happening crowds of the late 60's entering into the early 70's. It was the convergence point for the artists, the 'intellectuals', fun-seekers of that time, when Lagos was just evolving. It was the epicenter of the social happening of that time. It was significant then, in that it mirrored the then emerging society, Nigeria had gotten independence not too long then from her colonial masters and many were looking forward to the emergence of a great black nation, full of hope and unbelievable promises. Hope for what was going to emerge was high, the then Lagos, though still emerging was very safe and great fun, everyone went about their chores and businesses with glorious determination. Then like a bolt out of the blue, the coup happened and it was like a canker-worm had been introduced and it was like the progress expected    met a brick-wall of resistance, before anyone knew what was happening the civil war too happened and from then on........Strife, discord, distrust etc came on board and marred our hope and existence. 

What Kakadu...the musical aims to do with this unbelievably exhilarating and glorious drama, dance and musical, is to help transport us back to the days of yore, looking back at how it used to be, taking us through the fun, the raw energy of the music of those days-the twist, the high life, the rock 'n'roll etc, when hope for and about the future was high on every one's mind, it was like there were things to look forward to and the gradual progression and decay bringing us to now. It aims to get all of us thinking about the project called Nigeria and our involvement. It tries to highlight all the happenstances of the days of yore.....Especially the military incursion of the 60's and it effect thereafter on the polity. From a state of affairs, where things were nice, beautiful and everyone was each others brother's keeper...to state of suspicions, strife , etc. From then on to how we are now. 

The 10 minutes rehearsal or should we call it snippet of the main production that we saw, was so great that we were transfixed, the casts and the crew were nothing short of brilliant. What would one have expected of the casts & crew that had the likes of consummate actors Norbert Young & Tina Mba, Benneth Ogbewui- his voice is out of the world, Lala Akindoju, Kanayo Omoh-The Director of the play etc. The musical was written by a fantastic human-being in the person of Mr. Uche Nwokedi, SAN, who is also the Executive producer,  his gorgeous wife Winifred Nwokedi, is one of the directors at Playhouse Initiative, who are the producers of the musical. 

The major reason for the musical and at this time, is because, it's the production company own way of helping to make our experience or memory matter, and that's because the past is always of value to the present and the future. It's also an opportunity for an audience that loves entertainment, to love, to share and to embrace part of their experience, especially their history, so as to help look at the future in the proper perspective. An experience that would help allow people to ask the right questions and at the right time. 

WEEKEND GETAWAY BY INI EDO PREMIERED

Congratulations to one of Nigeria's most hardworking actresses, in the person of Ini Edo. On the occasion of the premiere of her new film production titled- Weekend Getaway. We weren't around to see the new film at the premiere, but we heard that the turn out was great and that the film was a good one and that it was very well produced. That's another gong up the sleeve of the gorgeous actress.

We would just want to commend her and wish her the best in her future endeavours, we believe there's still more great things to come from her. However, we would love to confirm from the hardworking actress and now film producer, the truth about the rumour in town that the new production that was shot in its entirety in her home state Akwa Ibom, cost her a whooping 60 Million Naira. And also, if it is true that a certain State Government gave the full financial support.

If it is true, it must mean that certain State Government(s) are really doing their best in support of industry, which is a good sign.  

Thanks, as we hear the truth.

HALIMA ABUBAKAR GEARS UP FOR THE PREMIERE OF THE MISTRESS

HALIMA ABUBAKAR

YVONNE NELSON

EX-MBGN 2011-SYLVIA NDUKA

Nollywood star and UN Ambassador is gearing up for the premiere of her new movie titled -The Mistresses. The film which stars Halima Abubakar,  Ghanaian bombshell Yvonne Nelson, Nigerian rising star Moyo Lawal, Bobby 'the hunk' Michael, Mary Uranta and introducing ex-Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 201, Sylvia Nduka is one of the most anticipated in Nigeria in a while now. 

Apart from the fact that Halima Abubakar is starring in the movie, she is also the executive producer and the CEO of the production company (ModeHouse Films) bringing out the film. 

BOBBY MICHEALS

The venue of the premiere is the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time is from 2PM & Date is Sunday, February 24, 2013.  

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ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT TURNING POINT

New Behind-the-Scenes Webisodes for Nollywood/Hollywood Film Turning Point: Serious Set Time in ‘First Friday’ and Girly Fun in ‘Very Stacey’

CAST MEMBER

Fresh off a publicity tour in Lagos, Nigeria which saw the Turning Point team visit TV and radio stations and hold a press conference with the Nigerian media last Friday, HekCentrik Films welcomes the new month with two new behind-the-scenes webisodes of Turning Point by London-based Nigerian filmmaker Niyi Towolawi.

In the run up to the Africa premieres, and following the success of the world premiere attended by leading cast from Hollywood and Nollywood at London IndigO2, the 10-part behind-the-scenes webisodes aim to document the cast and crew’s relentless work across two continents – America and Africa – to bring to life this exciting Hollywood/Nollywood co-production. 

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AMVCA FULL NOMINEES LIST & CATEGORIES

Check out the full nominees list for the upcoming AMVCA 2013 set for March 2013. All the categories also revealed. It's an AfricaMagic packaged awards showcase celebrating the best in the continent and it is supported by MultiChoice Africa. Check out the 24 categories and start voting. 

 BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

MOVIE	NOMINEE
Man on Ground	Bubu Mazibuko
The Mirror Boy	Genevieve Nnaji
Otelo Burning	Nolwazi Shange
Maami	Funke Akindele
Perfect Picture	Jackie Appiah

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

MOVIE	NOMINEE
The Return of Jenifa	Funke Akindele
Clinic Matters	Lilian Esoro
Dumebi the Dirty Girl	Mercy Johnson

AMVCA'S TROPHY UNVEILED AS THE NOMINEE'S LIST IS ALSO RELEASED

THE TROPHY

 A few nights ago, watched by audiences in 47 African countries, the nominees for the first-ever AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) were revealed during a special edition of lifestyle program 53 Extra.  Held in association with MultiChoice, and headlined sponsor Amstel Malta, the AMVCAs recognizes and rewards excellence in African film and TV.

Announcing the nominees were stylish Eku Edewor and Dolapo Oni, joined by Jara co-hosts Uti Nwachukwu (Big Brother All Stars winner) and Helen Paul, Biola Alabi (M-Net Africa MD), Femi Odugbemi (AMVCA Executive Judge), Lizz Njagah (Kenyan soap and reality star) and Edem Vindah (Media and Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries PLC). Also in studio was the elegant AMVCA trophy!

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iROKOtv's 1ST BIRTHDAY

It was just a year ago. When it was launched on December 1, 2012 and it has gained so much ground and made the founder a multimillionaire. 

iROKOtv, dubbed by media commentators as the “Netflix of Africa”  celebrated its first birthday 1st December 2012. iROKOtv is Africa’s largest online platform for streaming movies and has invested in building the world's largest library of Nollywood movies over the past year, owning licences to more than 5,000 titles. Lovers of all things Nollywood can watch movies, for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Launched on 1st December 2011 by Jason Njoku, Founder and CEO of iROKO Partners, which also counts the popular online music platform iROKING among its suite, iROKOtv has grown rapidly over the past year, recording over 800,000 registered users in just eight months, who are tuning in from over 178 countries across the world. Since launch, iROKOtv has recorded almost 50 million plays.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan recently said of the Nollywood industry, “these are the people who market this country positively in African countries and even outside Africa and even in the Caribbean, where they appreciate Nigeria because of Nollywood.” iROKOtv has played a crucial in role in bringing Nollywood to the global audience and, following an investment by US hedge fund and Facebook investor Tiger Global, iROKO Partners was able to open offices in New York and London, two of its largest markets.

Aside from transforming the way Africans and the Diaspora access Nollywood, iROKOtv is also changing the Nollywood industry for its producers by opening up a new revenue stream for them. Prior to iROKOtv, producers would find their movies online but received no payment for this and lost out on thousands of dollars. Now, they work with iROKOtv to license their movies and stream their content online legally.

Jason Njoku said “We’ve had an awesome first year at iROKOtv and we’ve got great plans in the pipeline for 2013, including adding more films to our library and growing our global audience. Our first year has seen us bring Nollywood to the Diaspora, whose thirst for movies seems unquenchable. Our biggest markets are in the West, dominated by the US and UK. However, in 2013, we will be focusing our attention back on Africa and figuring out ways we can bring this awesome content to new audiences.

"Our business is incredibly simple; African stories, by Africans, for Africans and we hope to continue this mantra for many more birthdays".

LAGOS,THE CITY WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE, BROKEN AND REMADE AGAIN

Fulfilling ones dreams in Lagos is still a desire by millions of young Nigerians everyday. Flanked with challenges and lack of access to finance many young Nigerians have had to give up their dreams at the first hurdle. However, that wasn't to be the case for James Omokwe. After completing his course at film school, he was faced with the frustrating choice of halting his dream until he would be financially capable to produce his film. Pondering on when that financial breakthrough would occur. James Omokwe was not to give up. He adamantly refused to succumb to those challenges. Frustrated with the content of films he was seeing produced within the Nigerian movie industry. He wanted to write his own Nigerian story. One that could be watched beyond the shores of the Nigerian country. More importantly one that he was proud to say "made in Nigeria". 

So,with only N50,000 naira, two years of frustration  and surrounded by a group of creative young and talented individuals, AWAKENING was born.

Awakening , features emerging actors OC Ukeje,Kehinde Bankole, Adewale Aroloye, Femi Brainard and Bryan Okwara. Directed by James Omokwe and Ethan Okwara whilst produced by Theresa Anaanenu. This is a thriller movie where you definitely will not know the ending within the first ten minutes of the movie.When the contents of a box kept for centuries is opened, a series of events begin to unfold. Nicholas, a young advertising agent suddenly begins to have dreams that eventually become premonitions of death. In a bid to unravel the mystery he meets an ambitious journalist whose thirst for adventure leads them on a path to an unimaginable past and their futures are inextricably changed forever when they uncover the truth about a curse and the existence of an immortal tribe.

This is a film to be watched by all, not just for  the creative content but also because this was produced by a young man who like all of us dared to dream beyond his circumstance.

Awakening is set to release in the cinema this coming November. 

http://www.nollywood.com/video/215/Awakening-trailer