The REALTIME Film Festival – a Film Festival founded by and for independent filmmakers who seek to express themselves through the showcase of the mastery of their craft - announces its maiden edition taking place from the 29th of September to the 3rd of October 2016.


The Festival,which is a celebration of artistic excellence will bring together cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers and artists from across the world to discover the richness of Nigerian culture & tourism and also experience an unforgettable collection of cross – cultural films.

Our vision is “to build a truly International and remotely accessible Film Festival”. Our Mission is “to become the biggest and most acclaimed technology – driven, remotely accessible Festival in Africa within two years of our existence”.

At the festival we will screen an array of feature films, short-films and animations  representingvarious cultures along with a special celebration of Nigeria’s veteran filmmakers, discussion panels, awards presentation and free master classes by industry giants over a four day period.

 Interested participants  in the masterclasses can log on to www.realtimefilmfestival.com for further details on registration and festival schedule.

In  a press briefing in Lagos, Festival Artistic Director and multiple award winning filmmaker, StanleeOhikhuare, announced that 800 films weresubmitted for consideration for the festival from 60 different countries both on the Festival website and on FilmFreeway.

The Festival Industry Head and exceptional film producer/director Tope Oshin says he is optimistic of our readiness to host storytellers from around the globe. As the world shrinks, and the ability of Filmmakers to connect with diverse global cultures becomes easier, we are bringing the world together through the art of film.

“So far, we have over 800 Film submissions from 60 different countries out of which 55 Movies have been selected for screening over a four day period. We shall employ the use of current Technology to achieve the Real-Time attribute of the Festival making it possible for film makers and enthusiasts alike to participate remotely.”

Also, the Festival will feature the world premiere of the movie tagged “Nollywwod’s most controversial movie” -Behind The Wheels directed by StanleeOhikhuare at the New African Shrine making history as the first feature film to be screened at the esteemed African cultural centre.

Heading the jury panel of this year’s festival isBAYO AWALA who will be bringing years of experience as into the Festival's  scrutiny of diverse film expressions in ensuring credibility of the eventual outcome based on recommendations by the International Judges from the USA , Nigeria and Australia.

On thepanel are -Animator, Michael Loeck (USA);  Lighting Designer and Director of photography, CHRISTIAN EPPS (USA); Filmmaker and Festival organizer, JEF GRAY(USA); Documentary filmmaker, FEMI ODUGBEMI (NIGERIA); Music composer  AARON LATINA(USA); Filmmaker JANELLE MEAGER (AUSTRALIA)and ace photographer,PHILLIP TRIMNELL(NIGERIA).

The schedule of activities for the this year’s festival is as follows:

Thursday, September 29, 2016:

VENUES: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA AND NERDC CONFERENCE CENTRE

Cocktail / Opening Ceremony- Silverbirad Cinemas at Ikeja Mall.

The opening film will be screening between 9.00am and 12.00noon after which more films will be shown at the NERDC Conference Centre, Agindingbi, Ikeja (opposite the African Shrine)
The Masterclasseswill also commence on that day.

Friday, September 30, 2016:

VENUES: NERDC CONFERENCE CENTRE & AFRICAN SHRINE

More film screeningsand continuation of the Masterclasses at the NERDC Conference Centre.

In the evening, between 4.30pm and 7.00pm there will be a WORLD PREMIERE of the controversial movie “BEHIND THE WHEELS” at the AFRICAN SHRINE leading to the Festival party at the same venue.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

VENUES: NERDC CONFERENCE CENTRE & AFRICAN SHRINE

Movie Screenings will continue at the NERDC Conference Centre, Agidingbi (near the African Shrine) and there will be an after party at the Shrine afterwards.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

VENUES: NERDC CONFERENCE CENTRE & THE SUMMIT EVENT CENTRE

Festival Awards Night and showcase of the festival closing feature Film at the SUMMIT Event Centre (beside African Shrine).

(Red Carpet and cocktail will hold from 5.00pm – 6.00pm)

(Screening of the closing film will hold between 6.20pm and 8.05pm)

(Awards Presentation will take place between 8.10pm and 9.00pm)

As this year’s Festival  is scheduled to coincide with Nigeria’s 56thIndependence Day Celebration,students,aspiring filmmakers, enthusiaists and actors will be presented with the opportunity to acquire skills in Directing, Cinematography, Lighting Design and Acting with renowned industry professionals in  master classes training that will be organized free of charge.

Among the faciliatators of the Two day Free Masterclasses are TECO BENSON, YINKA EDWARD, UZO OKPECHI AND IRETIOLA DOYLE. Prospective students for the Masterclasses are expected to register for the training through the festival website. 

Real-Time Film Festival will give attendees a chance to interact with directors and producers of films that will screened in a Question and Answer session after each film is screened. This accords people attending the Festival the opportunity to interact directly with the FILM MAKERS whether they are participating remotely or attending in person. This feature (use of technology for remote access)isa groundbreakingapproach in global film festival history.

The Festival will close with a Festival Awards Night where veteran Nigeria filmmakers, who have not been accorded their due tributeswill be celebrated and honoured.

MEET THE 2016 REAL-TIME FILM FESTIVAL JURY. 

BayoAwala will be the head of Jury at this year's Festival. He is bringing years of experience as well as current expertise into the Festival's  scrutiny of diverse film expressions as well as credibility in the eventual outcome of decisions.

Michael Loeck is an amazing animator - simply put. He has worked on several animated movies we all love but more importantly, this American 3D Animator was a huge inspiration to the early Nigerian Animators who emerged between 1998 and 2004 including the likes of DimejiAjibola, Femi Omoluabi, TeddOke and StanleeOhikhuare to mention but a few.

CHRISTIAN EPPS - Lighting Designer, Director Of Photography

Christian has lent his talents to film, television, corporate events, festivals, and commercials, theatre and dance and has been working in Nigeria for 10 years. Credits include; AMVCAs 2016, Nigerian Breweries, THISDAY!,Headies Awards, and EmemIsong's Royal Arts Academy. Other credits include; Selma (Oscar nominated), President Bill Clinton - Live from the White House, HBO, The Olympics, BET, ABC, ESPN, Spike Lee, Nick Cannon, Jamie Fox, Nike, McDonalds, Sprite, Oprah, Ava DuVernay, Disney Imagineering. Christian founded www.lightscameradiaspora.org, which does training in technical areas by sharing skills between the US and Africa - Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Rwanda and expanding.

JEF GRAY - Film maker and Festival Organizer

JefGray is the founder of the International Peace and Film Festival in Orlando - Florida. His love for, and knowledge of Film made him an instant choice for the Real-Time Film Festival. He will specifically decide on the Nigerian / African entries for this year's festival alongside other panelists.

FEMI ODUGBEMI - documentary filmmaker.

Femi Odugbemi is an icon in the Nigerian Film spheres. He is a respected documentary film maker and founder of the I-REP International Film Festival which holds annually in Lagos - Nigeria.

Femi has served as Head Judge for several Awards, including Africa's biggest and most prestigious Award - the AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards). He will be deciding on the International entries (Outside Africa) alongside other panelists.

AARON LATINA - music composer

Aaron is a Freelance Music Composer who Studied Music Composition at Toccoa Falls College. He Lives in O'Fallon, Missouri. Aaron will be deciding on the entries for Sound Design and Music Score for the Festival Submissions alongside other panelists.

PHILLIP TRIMNELL - Ace Photographer

Phillip Trimnell is the Founder/owner of TPT - Phillip Trimnell Productions and has so many years in Advertising, Photography and production in General. Phillip Trimnell will be deciding on the entries for Lighting Design for the Festival Submissions alongside other panelists.

MEET OUR MASTERCLASS FACILITATORS

YINKA EDWARD: LIGHTING DESIGN

Yinka Edward’s love for the camera dates back to over 15 years ago when he held his first digital camera and was told to go outside to film his environment. Since then his passion for cinematography and storytelling has grown in leaps. He has built an impressive portfolio of work as a cinematographer and his work has screened around the world and garnered various awards and nominations.

For his work on the Figurine, Yinka won the 2010 AMAA (African Movie Academy Award) for cinematography. He was nominated for best cinematography at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), 2015 for his work on October 1 and the movie went on to win best movie at the AMVCA 2015. It also picked up the Festival Programmers’ Award for Narrative Feature at the 2015 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), Los Angeles.

The Tom Tykwer produced Kenyan/German feature movie,Something Necessary, which Yinka shot in Kenya, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013 and was nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival 2013. Yinka shot Cinema kpatakpata’s debut feature Confusion Na Wa, which was the festival opening night presentation at the 21st New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), 2014. Confusion Na Wa, took the award for best Nigerian movie and best movie overall at the 2013 AMAA awards.

Yinka was featured in the books The Nigerian Filmmaker’s Guide to Success: Beyond Nollywood, written by Nadia Denton and AuteuringNollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, edited by AdeshinaAfolayan .

Yinka recently completed a Master of Arts degree in Film and Television Production with a concentration in Cinematography at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Beaconsfield, England.

BARRETT AKPOKABAYEN: ART PHOTOGRAPHY

Barrett Akpokabayen is an award-winning photographer (photographer of the year 2010 Mode Men Magazine), who has been training students in photography for almost 2 decades. He himself a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo university Ile Ife where he got a degree in Fine Art with his major in Graphic Design. By 2003 he trained with the legendary Don Barber who help expand his knowledge of photography. He is also an alumnus of the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation where he also became a facilitator for photography in the Harmattan workshop series. By 2008 he left lecturing full time from the Yaba college of Technology, where he had trained students in graphics, illustration and photography. To work full time as a professional photographer where he has risen to the top of the industry.Doing photo-shoots with big brands like Globacom, Cadbury, Etisalat, DSTV, Access Bank and Mobil just to mention a few. He’s travelled around the country doing commercials and cover photo shoots for magazines like Mode Men, Aviators and Motivation magazine just to mention a few. He is the official photographer for acclaimed movie 93 Days. He is an examiner for waec helping develop the syllabus for the photographer for schools in west Africa.


TECO BENSON, MFR:  DIRECTING

With 20 years of active film making in Nigeria with history of consistency, quality and attention to details, Teco Benson is among the most prolific filmmakers in Nigeria. Having started his career in the beginning era of Nollywoodand  being able to evolve, making great impact in the process and building a brand, Teco Benson has become a household name not just in Nigeria but world over.

Pioneered Action film making in Nigeria with movies that helped in shaping public opinions and fore warned Nigeria of what is happening today and how to handle them, e.g. State of Emergency, Executive Crime, Terror, War Front etc.

Produced and directed several big budget production and has been able to manage and coordinate lots of human and material resources even under extreme pressure.

Established budgets/Schedules and monitored their progress and expenditure.

Trained and mentored several young film practitioners that are actively involved today in the film production process earning a descent living.

Directed Heir apparent, a TV reality show that aired on NTA Network in the last quarter of 2010. Heir apparent brand is a federal government project sponsored by National Orientation Agency, NOA.

IRETI DOYLE:ACTING

Iretiola Doyle will be handling the Master Clas in Acting. She was born in Ondo State but spent her early years with her family in Boston, United States. After returning to Nigeria, she attended Christ's School Ado Ekiti and graduated from theUniversity of Jos with a degree in Theatre Arts.

She has featured in several Nollywood films. She was nominated for Best Actress in a leading role at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Films: Across the Niger; Sitanda; Torn;The Therapist (2015);Fifty (2015)

Television: Tinsel; For Coloured Girls (2011);Gidi Up (2014 - present)

UZODINMA OKPECHI:CINEMATOGRAPHY

Uzodinma’s foray into directing started with Music videos in 2002. His style and direction turned around completely Nigerian Music videos in terms of technical quality and content, paving way for the new generation Music video directors and grabbing a handful of awards in the process.

Bohemian in nature, he ventured into Television productions riding on the success of his Music videos.

He has shot over a dozen TV Ads, Documentaries, and for 30 months produced and directed a TV Show for Nigeria’s telecommunications giant Globacom.

Between 2014 and 2016, Uzodinma has directed 17 TV Movies for African Magic Original Films, a feature indie film, 15 episodes of ‘Nduka’ a TV drama series and two TV Ads.

He is the CEO of Primary TV & Film Productions an Audiovisual production and Post-production outfit in Lagos – Nigeria, happily married and very passionate about filmmaking.

After intensive training from Klink Audiovisual Studios (1994 – 1997), he pursued a career in film production.

In 1998, he produced his first feature film ‘Above death’. He went on to produce the critically acclaimed multiple award winning and high sales grossing movies ‘The Battle of Love’ and ‘The Prostitute’.

He got some more training in Film methodology and techniques at the Colorado Film School, Aurora USA in March, 2014.