AFRICAN

The Elegant Songbird, Onyeka Onwenu Turns 72

Published

9 months ago

February 2, 2024

FAB.NG

Today, the legendary Nigerian singer, songwriter, journalist, actress, politician, and human rights activist, Onyeka Onwenu, is marking her 72nd birthday. But to call her simply a musician would not be enough. Onyeka Onwenu is a force and a voice that has resonated across generations.

Well known as the ‘Elegant Stallion,’ Onyeka hails from Arondizuogu, a small town in Ideato North, Imo State, and was raised in Port Harcourt. Onwenu’s musical journey began in 1981 while still with NTA, with the release of the album ‘For the Love of You.’ Her distinctive voice and traditional Igbo influences quickly captured hearts. Hit songs like “One Love,” “Dancing in the Sun,” and “Ekwe” made her even more prominent, not just in Nigeria but across Africa and beyond. She took Nigerian traditional music to a different level, using traditional musical instruments and folklore.

Onyeka Onwenu

She wrote and sang songs about issues like health, mutual coexistence, respect for women’s rights, and peace.

Her collaboration with King Sunny Ade, called ‘Wait for Me’ was a classic put together to help the government spread the message of family planning across the country.

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In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria, which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria and the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control.

She has appeared in numerous Nollywood movies, including Lionheart, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Good Calling. She has also worked as a TV presenter, where she hosted shows like Contract (1988) and Who’s On (1993), which both aired on the NTA Network.

The Elegant Songbird, Onyeka Onwenu Turns 72 | Fab.ng

Onwenu’s impact extends far beyond the recording studio. She is a tireless advocate for human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, and her activism has taken her to the UN and across the globe, using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for change. Yet, amidst her achievements, Onwenu remains grounded; her humility and her infectious smile are legendary.

She is a strong Igbo woman who is proud and unapologetic of her roots. She’s a worthy role model and a force to be reckoned with in the music and arts industry. Today, as she celebrates 72 years, Onyeka Onwenu’s legacy is undeniable. She is a true national treasure and a voice that continues to inspire.

Check out more updates here.

Related Topics:Biography Music ONYEKA ONWENU Singer

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AFRICAN

Biennale College Cinema Announces Kenyan-Nigerian Project For Next Edition

Published

7 days ago

October 11, 2024

Reporter

1 Woman 1 Bra: Kenyan-Nigerian project | fab.ng

Biennale College Cinema in Venice has announced the Kenyan-Nigerian project, “1 Woman 1 Bra“. The director-producer duo, Vincho Nchogu and Josh Olaoluwa worked on the project. It is the only African project selected for the 13th edition of the festival. This marks a significant achievement for African cinema on the global stage.

“1 Woman 1 Bra” is among 12 projects chosen for the 2024/25 Biennale College Cinema.

These projects were unveiled during the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The teams, consisting of a director and a producer, will participate in an initial 10-day workshop in Venice. This workshop will take place from October 8 to 17, 2024.

Nchogu, the Kenyan director, and Olaoluwa, the Nigerian producer, will present their first feature film project at the workshop. Afterwards, four of the 12 projects will be selected to receive up to 200,000 Euros in production funding.

Furthermore, these four films will premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in 2025. This opportunity is another milestone for Nchogu and Olaoluwa. Consequently, they have previously participated in the Red Sea Lodge and Torino Film Lab.

The Biennale College Cinema is an advanced training lab that opens doors for filmmakers worldwide. It provides a platform for emerging voices in cinema and offers valuable resources to bring creative visions to life.

Nine of the twelve projects were selected from the Biennale College Cinema – International competition. Meanwhile, the remaining three came from the Biennale College Cinema – Italy competition.

In addition to “1 Woman 1 Bra”, other notable projects include “Agnus Dei” by Massimiliano Camaiti, a second-time feature director, and producer Giovanna Nicolai. Another selected project, “Badland”, comes from first-time feature director Mounir Derbal and producer Lorenzo Fiuzzi. “Becoming Human” by director Polen Ly and producer Daniel Mattes also made the list.

Further selections include “Last Time, Again” by Chinese director Di Zhang and Canadian producer Beryl Liu, “Orange Peel” by Italian director Anita Rivaroli and producer Marco Mingolla, and “Saving The Day” by Turkish director Serhat Karaaslan and French producer Laura Dahout.

Indian director Nidhi Saxena and producer Vimukthi Jayasundara’s “Secret Of A Mountain Serpent” was also selected, along with “Summer 1999” by Vietnamese director Hang Luong Nguyen and producer Dinh Le Minh Trinh.

Other featured projects include “The Booking” by American director Gabriella Moses and producer Sarah Wharton, “The Family” by Ukrainian director Hanna Jalali and Iranian producer Moeinoddin Jalali, and “Vanishing Bones” by French director Simon Rieth and producer Inès Daïen Dasi.

Check out more updates here.

AFRICAN

S16 Film Festival Returns For 4th Edition In December

Published

2 months ago

August 15, 2024

Reporter

S16 Film Festival Returns For 4th Edition In December | Fab.ng

The S16 Film Festival is coming back for its fourth year. It will start on December 5, 2024. It will end on December 8, 2024. The organizers of the festival shared this news.

This festival happens every year. It shows off African art. The festival brings attention to great filmmakers from Africa. It also highlights independent films from Africa. The event usually has many fun activities for people who love movies.

The festival lasts for four days. During these days, people can watch short films. They can also see longer feature films. There are also panel discussions. In these discussions, well-known filmmakers talk about their work. New filmmakers who are just starting out also join these talks.

The organizers told everyone about the upcoming S16 Film Festival on August 14, 2024. They made an official announcement to share this information.

“TECHNOLOGIC – THE S16 Film Festival returns for its Fourth Edition. Over the course of four days, our community of film lovers will be treated to a series of new wave cinema, an exhibition, panel conversations, and a themed party. Beginning on December 5-8 at Alliance Francais, Lagos.”

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Dogme 95 music group inspired the S16 Film Festival with this idea.

The Surreal 16 Collective is the bigger group the festival is part of. This group wants to change how movies are made in Nigeria. They want to do things differently from what people are used to.

Three filmmakers started the S16 Film Festival. Their names are CJ Obasi, Abba T. Makama, and Michael Omonua. They held the first festival in 2021. At this first event, they showed 10 short films. They also showed one long film called “Juju Stories”. The three founders made this long film together.

In the second year of the festival, they showed more films. They had 14 films in total. There were 10 short films and 4 long films. Directors from different African countries made these films. The directors came from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda.

The third festival had a special theme. They called it “To God be the Glory”. They showed unique African films at this event. One of these films was “Banel and Adama”. This was a love story movie made in Senegal in 2023. A filmmaker named Ramata-Toulaye Sy directed this movie.

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AFRICAN

Guguru Studios Awarded ₦135m Grant To Co-Produce Musical On Illegal Mining In Ghana

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2024

Reporter

A Dream To Die For: Guguru Studios to co-produce musical | fab.ng

Nigerian film production company Guguru Studios has joined forces with three other African studios. They will create a new musical drama film titled “A Dream To Die For.” This exciting collaboration was made possible with a grant of €80,000 (approximately ₦135 million) awarded by the European Union.

This is with additional support from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Creation Africa Ghana (an initiative of the French embassy in Ghana), and others.

The four co-producing studios include Driving Park Limited and AdomiBridge Studios from Ghana, Togo Films from Togo, and Guguru Studios from Nigeria.

This pan-African partnership shows a step forward for the film industry on the continent, as Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, the executive secretary of Ghana’s National Film Authority highlighted. Ms. Asantewa Asante emphasizes the importance of co-productions between African filmmakers. It fosters growth and collaboration within the industry.

“A Dream To Die For,” will tackle the complex issue of illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana.

This act is known locally as “galamsey” which translates to “gather them and sell.” David Masterwille wrote the film.

The story follows a group of young musicians who become entangled in the dangerous world of galamsey. This collaboration between studios from diverse African nations brings a wealth of experience and perspectives. Also, it offers the potential for a powerful and nuanced exploration of this critical social and environmental issue.

This isn’t the first example of successful African film collaboration. Play Network Studios from Nigeria and Mondjila Studios from Namibia previously teamed up to produce the thriller “The Skeleton Coast.” This demonstrated the growing trend and potential of such partnerships within the African film scene.

The Guguru Studios-led project with “A Dream To Die For” promises to be another exciting addition to this movement. Furthermore, it brings together creative minds from across the continent to tell a story that resonates on a global scale.

The financial backing from the European Union and other organizations paves the way for this ambitious project. It demonstrates a recognition of the burgeoning talent and potential of African filmmakers.

With a strong creative team, a relevant social theme, and the support of international collaboration, “A Dream To Die For” is poised to impact the African and international film landscape significantly.