It was a grand showcase of faith and creativity at this year’s Kingdom Film Festival held at EbonyLife Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos from November 27-28, 2024.
With the theme: ‘Influence’, the two-day event witnessed faith-based film producers, actors and creatives converging on the venue to explore the intersection of faith, culture and storytelling. It was indeed a dynamic lineup of sessions, masterclasses and thought-provoking discussions.
An inspiring ceremony led by Minister Oba kicked off the festival, as he ‘blew the horns’ signaling the commencement of the transformative film festival. This was followed by a captivating dance presentation from the Glorious Ministries, setting a celebratory tone for the festival.
The organiser, Mrs. Ewoma Luther-Abegunde, set the agenda for the day with her heartfelt welcome speech. She said: “In today’s world that’s driven by a lot of externalities, it is important we recognize that ‘Influence’ is both a catalytic tool for change and shaping of culture. The ‘Influence’ we seek must begin from inside to outward. On this mountain of media, art and entertainment, Christian creatives must see themselves as agents of change and inspiration. To effectively promote our values, we must be in the rooms where decisions and policies are being made. We cannot change from outside. Get into those rooms. Get into those corridors of power and begin to use you influence excellently and creatively.”
Her remarks were followed by a compelling keynote address from Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), who spoke on ‘Influencing Culture and Governance’. His session explored the power of storytelling to shape societal values.
Film producer cum director, Michelle Bello took the podium and delivered an impactful speech on ‘Influencing with Decrees and Kingdom Mantles’, emphasizing the importance of purposeful storytelling.
Moderated by Ibiso Graham Douglas, a panel discussion that centered on ‘Empowering African Storytellers’ and parading Abiola Adenuga, Atinuke Babatunde and Dr. Ike Obiaya as panelists, shared strategies for amplifying African narratives in global spaces.
Another session moderated by Ewoma and which dwelled on ‘Monitoring Your Film Globally’, featured insights from industry leaders like Isabella C. Okechukwu, Victoria Ogar, Akaninyene Udo Macaulay, Patrick Lee, and Stephen Oluboye.
The day continued with Ayomide Adeagbo, Special Adviser to the President on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, delivering a remarkable speech on ‘Unlocking the Creative Economy’, highlighting the immense potential of faith-based filmmaking in fostering economic growth while promoting kingdom values.
Femi Luther-Abegunde also stepped in to postulate on ‘Partnership Strategies and Building a Personal Brand’, while Blossom Chukwujekwu took on ‘Acting for Impact: Using Your Craft to Influence the World for Christ’.
The second day began with the organiser delivering an energising speech that set the stage for the day’s activities. The legal session followed led by Omotayo Inakoju, who delved into ‘Navigating the Intersection of Creativity and Commerce: Understanding Intellectual Property Rights in Film and Media Production’. Her session underscored the importance of protecting creative works in a faith-driven industry.
After this came a vibrant Gen Z session that explored the role of young creatives in advancing kingdom culture. While Chris Odeh explored ‘Producing Success’, Oladipo O-Fresh demonstrated ‘Smartphone Filmmaking for Kingdom Impact’. Damilola, son of legendary Christian filmmaker, Mike-Bamiloye, conducted an engaging screenwriting workshop titled, ‘Your Pen, Your Story, Your Influence’.
The afternoon witnessed a heartfelt session by Nollywood couple, Stan and Blessing Nze, who shared their experiences navigating the entertainment industry while advancing God’s agenda. Their initiative, ‘Stan’s Kids Can Act’ continues to inspire the next generation of creatives.
Indeed, this year’s edition of Kingdom Film Festival was a resounding success. It left attendees inspired to use their creative talents to advance God’s kingdom. Awards were given to some stakeholders for their outstanding contributions to the film industry. Special recognition awards went to Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Mr. Fidelis Duker, founder of Abuja International Film Festival, and Mr. Olaitan, founder, Gospel Film Festival.
The short film competition, a central feature of the festival, garnered over 2,000 entries, and awards were presented to recognize outstanding works in various categories. The list includes:
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Overall Film: Journey to Wholeness.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Actress: Gigi Puana for The Exiles.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Actor: Michael Butta for The Preacher Waston.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Cinematography: The Exiles.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Screenwriting: Journey to Wholeness.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Editing: The Exiles.
Kingdom Film Festival 2024 Best Director: Chris Jamerson for The Exiles.