Nollywood Film Festival Germany & NEGA Awards Gala Night 2024 – A Gathering of Who’s Who in Europe.

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The festivities were officially declared open by the new Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, PhD. In his opening address, he expressed his enthusiasm for meeting such a significant cultural initiative in Frankfurt. He committed to partnering with Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V to promote Nigeria’s image globally, emphasizing the power of Nollywood in projecting Nigeria to the world positively. “Isaac Izoya, thank you for making our job easier. We will capitalize on this platform and bring even more stars to next year’s event,” Ambassador Dadu declared before declaring the festival open.

The Screenings

The Nollywood Film Festival Germany 2024 and NEGA Awards Gala Night, held at the iconic Pupille Kino at Goethe University in Frankfurt, were eagerly anticipated by Nollywood fans and film industry professionals alike, and the event did not disappoint.

Organized under the watchful eyes of the esteemed event director Isaac Izoya of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V, the event left a lasting impression, with memories and discussions continuing to resonate.

Day one featured the screening of “OFFSHOOT”, produced by award-winning creative producer Toyin Adewumi, who was present at the event. Directed by Ayeny T. Steve and distributed by Cinemax, the film follows Modesire Mbakwe, a wife and mother who becomes the Acting Head of Operations and General Investigation at the National Drug Agency (NDA). The film delves into issues like drug trafficking, corruption, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields. Its cinematic brilliance lies in its seamless blend of love and family themes, keeping the audience captivated. The storyline also showcased a new sense of poetic justice in Nollywood, emphasizing that actions have consequences, as seen when the character Dike Mbakwe, played by Kelechi Udegbe, is arrested at the order of his wife Dee (Kehinde Bankole).

The second screening of the day was “IYEOBA”, directed by Dr. Henry Emeka Obidi, who also attended the event. Iyeoba was one of the most eagerly awaited films centred on the Benin Kingdom, particularly for its cultural and historical narratives tied to the ongoing campaigns for the return of Benin artifacts from European countries. The film features prominent stars from Nollywood, the United States, and the United Kingdom, such as Alex Usifo, Ngozi Nzeonu, Nosa Rex, and Maria Bessa, showcasing Nollywood’s diversity and global appeal.

Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA (Day Two – 03/08/2024)

Day two featured the screening of “A COUNTRY CALLED GHANA”, which captivated audiences before the day main event the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA Gala Night—an annual gathering of society’s elite. The event was a dazzling display of African culture in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany.

The event attracted distinguished personalities from various fields, including the host, Ambassador, His Excellency, CG Ambassador Yakubu Dadu PhD who marked the opening with a minute of silence in respect of a great Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu that died recently after her stage performance in Nigeria. Other notable attendees included senior staffs of the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt among whom are;  Valery Lapang, Ismail Ahmed and Mr. Solomon Enejoh, , Nigeria ruling party Assistant National Treasurer and the former Edo State of Nigeria Ex-Commissioner of Arts and culture – Hon. Omorede Ekogiawe Osifo from Abuja, Nigeria, Prof. Stephania A. A. Alofuokhai-Ghogomu (JP) Berlin, Svetlana Svyatskaya, Advisor for Film, Visual Media, and Digitalization from the City of Frankfurt A/M Ministry of Arts and Culture, Natascha Gikas, one of the directors of the Africa Alive Festival under the invitation of The head of the Department of Cultural Administration and Promotion, Mr. Johannes Promnitz, Elder Ajibola Antonio, Top model from Rome, Italy, Cultural Ambassador Princess Okaine, Edith Agbonhese from Ireland, Journalist and Nollywood researcher Tunji Offeyi from UK, Nigerman, Hip Hop singer from Berlin Chioma Akuezue and Frankfurt based Heidi Ivangs-Kariuki to name but a few.

Some of the top A-List  Nollywood Film-Makers and NEGA Awards recipients with musicians that grace the event are: The president of National president of Association of Movie producers (AMP) Dr Ambassador Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Director of Iyeoba – (Family Historic Drama award) and producer of Offshoot – (Best Action Film) Dr Henry Emeka Obidi (NEGA award of Merit for Directing) and Toyin Adewumi, British born Nigerian star Kalu Ikeagu (Outstanding Legend Award of the year), Legendry Felix Duke (Living Legend Award of the year), Nollywood stakeholder Julius A. Amioje (Nollywood Humanitarian Ambassador), the reigning star of Nollywood – Sarian Martin Oruene (Distinctive Creative Actor of the year) and of course the associate producer of “A Country Called Ghana” (Best indigenous Film) Mr. Ray Moni from Ghana with Edo Sons Of legends and Edes Okojie musical Bands from Nigeria that entertained Nollywood fans and members of Nollywood Practitioners Europe to name but just a few.

The NEGA Awards (Nollywood Europe Golden Awards) is a prestigious platform that honours Nollywood stakeholders, stars, comedians, musicians, and outstanding politicians and businesspeople who have directly or indirectly impacted Nigerians worldwide and the industry. The NEGA Awards is a significant event in the Nollywood calendar marking the end of the Nollywood festival, often showcasing the best of Nollywood and celebrating those who have made important contributions to the industry. It is a platform that recognises talent and promotes the growth and development of the Nollywood industry.

The organization has been able to pull the crème de la crème of industries across the globe to Frankfurt for our annual events in the past. In no particular order among whom are Senator Donzella James of Atlanta Georgia, USA, Hollywood film maker Queen Blessing Ose Itua PHD – Goodwill Ambassador At-Large to the United Nations, award-winning Development Advocate and a recipient of President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Service, His Excellency, Ambassador Rimdap rtd UK, His Excellency Ambassador Ejinaka John rtd New York, His Excellency, Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany now Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E, Lt. Gen. F. G. Sibamba, Zambia Amb to Germany, H.E, Mr. R. I. Alhassan, Ghana Amb to Germany, CDA, H. E, Baba Wakil, the then Nigeria acting Amb to Germany, Nigeria Ambassador to Greece, H.E, Prof, S.O Agbi PhD, Prof. Andrew Haruna, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria and top Africa film and music industry mega stars and Europe based stars to name but a few, have all honoured our invitations to Germany to grace our events.

The NEGA Awards is a prestigious platform honouring Nollywood stakeholders, stars, comedians, musicians, and influential politicians and businesspeople who have significantly impacted Nigerians worldwide and the industry. This event, a highlight of the Nollywood calendar, not only celebrates those who have made important contributions to the industry but also serves as a platform to promote its growth and development.

The event director, Isaac Izoya, expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Cultural Office for their unwavering support, particularly in securing visas for star guests and securing the iconic event venue. He also appealed for sponsorship to help carry the growing responsibilities associated with the event.

The 2024 Nollywood Film Festival Germany and NEGA Awards Gala Night were marked by vibrant fashion, endless entertainment, and invaluable networking opportunities, leaving attendees with memories to cherish for a long time. The event was a mission accomplished, and as Izoya aptly put it, “The Show Must Go On!”