Organizers of the Trans Africa Worldwide Movie Competition (TAIFF) is poised to spotlight the wealthy tales and untapped panorama of Borno State and north-east Nigeria to the world.
Competition director, Nixon Waya Ayuba made this identified in an interview with LEADERSHIP Books & Arts, lately.
He mentioned when folks consider the north, they consider Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states, all of that are residence to 5, three to 2 annual festivals respectively. This has typically led to funders overlooking the north-east. Therefore, his resolution to host a pageant in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“There are various gifted folks in northeast Nigeria, however they don’t seem to be uncovered to platforms and alternatives like this (pageant).
“There are such a lot of tales in regards to the northeast to be explored. Borno State specifically is a really distinctive state with wealthy cultural historical past. From the Kanem Borno Empire days, there are tales of the completely different tribes and histories to inform. There are additionally tales across the insurgency disaster ready to be instructed, that haven’t been instructed as they need to.
“Think about, if on the (TAIFF) funding discussion board pitch deck, younger and rising filmmakers we’re aiming to construct their capacities can pitch these tales to the 2 or three producers scheduled to attend. To not point out how excited the producers will likely be to see the views of those that skilled the disaster firsthand.
“We hope that Borno State authorities and personal organizations in and round Borno environs will assist the pageant in offering youths the much-needed publicity that won’t solely give them a voice, but additionally maintain them gainfully engaged,” mentioned Ayuba.
The pageant additionally serves as a chance to dispel a few of the stereotypical narratives in regards to the northeast.
Acknowledging the state’s previous struggles with insecurity ensuing from insurgency exercise, Ayuba mentioned the state is presently peaceable and has witnessed large improvement by successive governments.
“It was not the identical state that I left publish my commencement from College of Maiduguri in 2015. There was large improvement within the state. Filmmakers coming to the pageant will likely be uncovered to the Borno setting. That’s the narrative we’re selling. We’re telling filmmakers and cinephiles to come back and see Borno for themselves.”
To make sure the security of attendees, the pageant is collaborating with the Nigerian police. It additionally has its non-public safety element that may work with the police to accompany pageant members from any level of entrance into the state, to and from the pageant venue to their resorts, and again to their factors of departure.
Hailing from the north-east, Ayuba’s mom is from Adamawa State, his father from Borno State. He lived in Borno pre and through the insurgency disaster till his commencement from the College of Maiduguri in 2015.
He brings to TAIFF his expertise as a filmmaker, producer, TV present host (Inside Nollywood) and pageant supervisor. His zeal to indicate a Borno, completely different from the one offered within the media, and the necessity to empower younger folks within the space is what drives his staff to succeed.
“TAIFF will put Borno State on the map. It’s going to inform tales of the state, in addition to construct the capability of youths from the state and its environs. We’re open to work with anybody who desires the progress of the northeast, younger individuals and those who wish to change narratives that may carry the northeast Nigeria and Africa as a complete,” concluded Ayuba.
