EbonyLife Films lands third major international festival premiere with TheRoyal Hibiscus Hotel
A new romantic comedy production from EbonyLife Films, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, will be screened for the very first time at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2017.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel tells the story of a disillusioned London chef, Ope, who returns to Nigeria and discovers that going home can bring unexpected surprises.
It stars Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Deyemi Okanlawon and O.C. Ukeje.
Veteran actors, Rachel Oniga, Jide Kosoko, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva also feature in the film which is director, Ishaya Bako’s second feature, following his debut, The Road to Yesterday.
It will be one of just three African features in the Contemporary World Cinema category of TIFF, which spotlights 48 of the best new films worldwide.
Speaking on the film’s coming premiere, EbonyLife’s Mo Abudu said, ‘The Royal Hibiscus Hotel has been a passion project for me – the chance to tell an intimate story that has heart and soul, and explores romantic love in the older and younger generations.’
The film’s Executive Producer added, ‘It addresses some of the challenges around communication in relationships, while managing to be funny, warm and entertaining.
‘Many of us have forgotten what it feels like to fall in love – I hope The Royal Hibiscus Hotel re-ignites this feeling in us all.’
The 2017 edition of The Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 7 to 17.
Meanwhile, the film is scheduled for release in February 2018.
Daniel Oriahi, the director of the film “The Weekend,” received exciting news.
“The Weekend” was chosen to be featured in the prestigious 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. This renowned festival is scheduled to take place from June 5 to 16, 2024, in the vibrant city of New York.
The Tribeca Film Festival provides a valuable platform for emerging talents to showcase their creativity. They are known for showcasing independent filmmakers and their unique works.
In excitement for “The Weekend,” selection…
Oriahi took to his Instagram page on Thursday, April 18, 2014, to share his elation about “The Weekend” being selected for this esteemed event. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his film to a wider audience.
“I’m thrilled to share that my latest film, “The Weekend,” has been chosen as an Official Selection for the 2024 Tribeca Festival (@tribeca), happening from June 5-16, 2024, in NYC,” he wrote.
Oriahi’s filmmaking journey started with his first movie, titled Misfit. It wasn’t a big-budget production. Instead, it was a psychological horror film he made with very limited resources.
Sharing his passion for filmmaking, Oriahi discussed his experiences on Instagram while creating Misfit.
He wrote,
“My first film, Misfit, was a deeply personal psychological horror created on a limited budget. In 2014, I showcased it in Lagos, hoping for a breakthrough, which led me to meet @uchelouisokocha and @baba_t23 from Trino Studios. Following our success with “Sylvia” in 2018, I desired to explore various horror subgenres, drawing inspiration from classics like Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and Hereditary.”
In 2022, Uche Okocha, the executive director of Trino Studios, introduced Daniel Oriahi to “The Weekend.” Upon reviewing the project, Oriahi found that it perfectly matched his artistic vision and goals. This alignment of creative vision prompted him to become involved with the film, ultimately leading to his role as its director.
“In 2022, Uche presented me with a script titled ‘The Weekend,’ aligning perfectly with my artistic vision. Its inclusion in Tribeca’s Midnight section feels like a full-circle moment,” he said.
He also stated,
“Almost two decades ago, I turned to filmmaking as a means of healing and self-expression, and to this day, it continues to motivate me forward. I extend my gratitude to Trino Studios and all collaborators for their unwavering belief in me.”
“The Weekend” is a suspenseful movie with dramatic moments
It tells the story of a young woman who grew up without parents (an orphan) and longs for a loving family. She’s engaged to be married. When she visited her fiancé’s family for the first time, they seemed perfect at first. But then she uncovers a dark secret they’ve been hiding.
The movie stars Aniunoh,Bucci Franklin, Meg Otanwa, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Gloria Anozie-Young, and Damilola Ogunsi.
Nigerian filmmaker Kachi Benson, who directed the Disney movie “Madu,” is working on a new documentary called “The Harvest.” Hunting Lane and Impact Partners will produce the documentary.
The documentary tells the story of four Nigerian mothers. It focuses on their ongoing fight to educate their children, even after the horrific event that took place ten years ago. In 2014, the terrorist group Boko Haram attacked a school in the village of Chibok, Borno State, and kidnapped 276 young girls.
This isn’t Benson’s first time exploring the aftermath of this kidnapping. In 2019, he created a virtual reality documentary titled “Daughters of Chibok.” The documentary won the award for Best Immersive Story at the Venice Film Festival.
“I have spent the last five years with the mothers and survivors of the Chibok kidnappings; I’ve listened to their stories, and what I’ve learned is that these women are more than the tragedy that is mostly used to describe them. My aim with The Harvest is to give them a platform to tell their own story and show a side to these heroines that the world hardly sees: a community of mothers who have stood and continue to stand as pillars, working together to make tomorrow better for their children. That is the ultimate bravery.”
The filming of the documentary “The Harvest” has just been completed. The documentary was brought to life by a team of producers. They include Jamie Patricof, Katie McNeill, Rachel Halilej, Samira Mohammed, and Adeyinka Oduniyi.
“We were honoured to be able to work with ‘Kachi on this powerful film,” Patricof of Hunting Lane said. “What the women in this film accomplish is nothing short of miraculous. They are real-life superheroes.”
Hamisha Daryani, the producer who brought you the laughter and joy of “Namaste Wahala” in 2021, is back with a brand new series. Daryani’s latest creation is titled “Postcards,” and it’s gearing up to be your next binge-watch. Mark your calendars because “Postcards” officially premieres on Netflix on May 3, 2024.
The news of the premiere date was revealed with excitement by Daryani herself on her Instagram page on April 14, 2024. So if you want to stay updated on the show, be sure to follow her.
“I’m super excited to announce that our show #PostcardsSeries will be arriving on Netflix on May 3rd! This means it will be premiering next month in over 190 countries to an audience of over 260 million people.”
Get ready to be whisked away on a global adventure with “Postcards”! This exclusive Netflix series boasts a stellar cast, including Nollywood favourites. The likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tobi Bakre, Sola Sobowale, and Nancy Isime. You’ll also see Bollywood stars Rahama Sadau and Rajniesh Duggall grace the screen.
Sharing a glimpse into the show’s plot, Daryani offered a synopsis on her Instagram:
“#PostcardsSeries follows the compelling stories of four individuals whose life’s journeys are filled with a rollercoaster of emotions – from joy to frustration, from grief to triumph, from love to heartbreak, and everything in between. Prepare to laugh, cry, scream, and most importantly, see yourself reflected in these powerful narratives.”
Following the popularity of her previous movie, Namaste Wahala, Daryani shared her excitement for the start of the series:
“Directed and Produced by yours truly 😁@hamishadaryaniahuja and brought to you by my production company Forever 7 Entertainment. After the exciting success of ‘Namaste Wahala’ super excited for you guys to see Nigeria and India come together again but this time with a whole different flavour,” she wrote.
