Amaka Azie’s “Thorns And Roses”

Thorns and Roses by Amaka Azie unveils the thematic issues around the girl child enveloped in a romantic plot. The protagonist Ifeoma is emotionally traumatized by her ruthless father while her mother stands by him despite his despicable acts against her and her siblings who are also girls. Her education is threatened when her Uncle who has been paying her school fees suffers a stroke.

In a bid to get some money, an arranged marriage is set up by her father, and the bride would be one of her sisters, Chioma. Ifeoma as the eldest tries to take the place of her sister and succeeds but then flees with her sisters to Lagos after the suitor tries to rape her.

Her hustling soon pays off and she sets up her restaurant “Eastern Delight”. In comes Chuma Obi, the rich guy and the romantic journey begins interwound with twists and turns and tear-jerking scenes that makes it a good read…

Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro’s New Film “Saving Dreams“!

Inspired by true events multiple award winning Producer and director, Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro has made a new film titled “Saving Dreams”. The film was shot in Canada and has won seventeen awards globally.

Brenda Jackson (Karen Simpson) has a dream of becoming a star and marries a powerful man, Steve Reeds (Martin Lindquist) who promises to introduce her to people in the music biz. However, he abuses her even though he runs a foundation that protects abused women. Surprisingly, he asks her to sing at a fundraiser for his new foundation.

She meets Bayo Franklyn, (Nosa Obaseki) a Nigerian Immigrant who is a music producer there, and receives his card. When Brenda stumbles into Reeds having an affair with Amanda Brook (Cai Gallant)she escapes. She starts a new life and reconnects with Bayo who gets her a record deal. Brenda’s song becomes a hit. The elated couple begins to make wedding plans…but Reeds has one more secret in his arsenal that he wants to launch to shatter their happiness…

The Cast includes Nosa Obaseki who’s based in Canada, Karen Simpson, and Martin Lindquist among others.

Saving Dreams will be released in cinemas across Nigeria on 20th of January 2017.

Rahman : A short Film By Seun Opabisi

Rahman is a short film directed by Seun Opabisi and produced by Kewa Oni. It unveils the struggle of a group of kids who have been tasked into taking care of their father’s most expensive prized possession… his property. They place a bet…but it goes against their favour and they have some explaining to do…but what really went wrong?

The short film says it all…

King Invincible Set To Premiere in January 2017!

Femi Adisa’s epic movie “King Invincible” has been slated to premiere on January 6th 2017. The movie stars Gabriel Afolayan, Tope Tedela, Omowunmi Dada, Mike Adbul, Toyin Alausa, Bimbo Manuel and Segun Dada.

It tells the story of a handsome warlord, who is fast transitioning into a wolf due to the curse of the dogs placed on him.

Oh…can’t wait to see the special make up effects where he transitioned into a dog…hmm…

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim Wins 2016 NLNG Nigeria Prize For Literature!re

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim won the 2016 Nigeria Prize for Literature based on his work “Season of Crimson Blossom”… congrats to him, he’s now $100,000 richer!!!…what a way to be enriched during this recession period…hmm back to the gist.

Three finalists were shortlisted for the prestigious prize; Elnathan John (author of Born On A Tuesday); Chika Unigwe, (author of Night Dancer), and Mr. Ibrahim. They survived the cut from the long list of 173 authors who entered for the competition.

Past winners of the prize include;
Gabriel Okara’s – The Dreamer, His Vision (co-winner of the 2005 prize, awarded in poetry)

Ezenwa Ohaeto – (co-winner in 2005 for poetry)- Chants of a Minstrel

Ahmed Yerima (2006, drama) for Hard Ground

Mabel Segun (co-winner in 2007, awarded for children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre

Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner in 2007, children’s literature) – My Cousin Sammy

Kaine Agary (in 2008, prose) – Yellow Yellow

Esiaba Irobi (2010, for drama), won the prize posthumously – Cemetery Road

Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with The Missing Clock

Chika Unigwe (2012, prose) – On Black Sisters’ Street

Tade Ipadeola (2013, for poetry) – The Sahara Testaments

Sam Ukala (2014, drama) – Iredi War

Next year’s prize would be awarded for the poetry genre…so if you’re a poet…get cracking and have it published this year…

2016 Short list For ANA Literary Prizes : View Contenders!

It’s official! The shortlist for the 2016 Nigerian Authors Literary Prizes have been unveiled. Please see list below for the contenders:

ANA PROSE FICTION PRIZE

Avenger of Blood By Franklin Finecountry

On the Bank of the River By Ifeoluwapo Adeniyi

Prodigals in Paradise By Henry Akubuiro

Odufa: A Lovers’ Tale By Othuke Ominiabohs

ANA DRAMA PRIZE

Kosoko King of Eko By Fela Omoyele

Sacking the Porter By Olatunde Bolaji

Fated Rift By R.C. Ofodile

ANA POETRY PRIZE

Thunder Protocol By Obari Gomba

Kontradiction By Saddiq Dzukogi

The Birth of Illusion By Jumoke Verissimo

ANA/ ABUBAKAR GIMBA PRIZE FOR SHORT STORIES

River People and Other Stories By Peter Ukwa

Midnight Cry By Paul Ugah

From Sin to Splendour By R. C. Ofodile

The ANA / Ngozi Chuma Udeh Prize for Children’s Literature

The Quest for the Gem of Arubia By Augusta Mmakamba Okon

Sunny and the Arodan By Ozimede Sunny Ekhaalume

Water-Carrier Millionaire By Philip Begho.

ANA/ MAZARRIYA TEEN AUTHOR POETRY PRIZE

Not Awarded(reasons to be given later)

ANA/NECO TEEN AUTHOR PROSE PRIZE

Not Awarded(reasons to be given later)

ANA/MARIA AJIMA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM

“The Film Script, Nollywood and Cultural Diplomacy: Criticism of Artist’s Knowledge of the Film Story.” by Nwagbo Pat Obi (for Honorable Mention only)

ANA PANEL OF JUDGES

1. Prof Nelson Fashina-University of Ibadan

2. Mallam Salihu Mohammed Bappa- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

3. Ismaila Bala Garba- Bayero University,Kano

4. Dr Owojecho Omoha- University of Abuja

5. Mrs Joan Oji- Educational Resource Centre, Abuja

Winners of the various prizes will be announced at the Awards dinner of the 35th Anniversary International Convention of the Association holding on Saturday the 29th of October,2016 in Abuja.

Bovi Ugboma, Kenneth Okonkwo, Lilian Esoro In 4-1-Love Movie!

4-1-love…hmmm interesting subtle title wouldn’t you say?. This hilarious romantic movie unveils the dreams of the poet, Uju Amadi who aspires for global recognition. Using her pen name she slams poems online and with time witnesses a crowd pulling effect. Her poems on love and healing soothe the soul of Philip Obodo, a wheel-chair-bound millionaire who grieves for the loss of his teenage daughter. The duo connect online and one thing leads to another…the gates of their hearts open to a thriving relationship.

In reality, Uju is in a relationship with an Internet con-man Osazie, who ploughs his trade in online romantic scams where he cons women for money. Who will Uju go with in this crazy love triangle…she must make a choice or have her heart torn in pieces…

The movie was directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka and stars Kenneth Okonkwo, Lilian Esoro, Alexx Ekubo, Lilian Esoro, Bobby Michaels, Anthony Monjaro and ace comedian Bovi Ugboma.

Whao! It certainly is worth watching. 4-1-love is showing in cinemas across Nigeria. What are you awaiting for?… head out and watch it. Be ready to laugh and laugh…. a refreshing movie for your soul.

O.C.Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Beverly Naya Star in “The Arbitration”!

O.C Ukeje, Adesua Etomi and Beverly Naya star in the new flick ‘The Arbitration’ slated to hit cinemas on August 12th 2016. Written by Chinaza Onuzo (The Department, Out of luck) the film tells the story of Gbenga (O.C Ukeje) who has an affair with his employee Dara (Adesua Etomi). Fast forward – post affair, Dara leaves the company and sues her ex-lover on the count of rape. An Arbitration panel is constituted to unveil the truth. It was directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.

Long List For Man Booker Prize 2016!

2015’s Man Booker Prize was won by Marlon James, the first Jamaican writer to win same for his third novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings”; an epic spanning the decades surrounding the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in Jamaica in 1976. Writers for this year’s prestigious prize must have had their works published in English between 1st October 2015 and 30th September 2016 in the UK.

Out of 155 submissions, thirteen novels made the cut selected by a panel of five judges;
“The school days of Jesus by two time Man Booker prize winner – JM Coetzee
“Hot Milk” – Deborah Levy
“The Sellout” – Paul Beatty
“Serious Sweet” – A.L. Kennedy
“My Name is Lucy Barton” – Elizabeth Strout (novel has become a New York Times bestseller)

There are also four debut novels:
“The Many” – Wyl Menmuir,
“Eileen- Ottessa Moshfegh,
“Work Like Any Other”- Virginia Reeves
“Hystopia – David Means”

Other authors are Graeme Macrae Burnet, Ian McGuire, David Szalay and Madeline Thien.

Surprisingly, previous winners and nominees who were picked as potential candidates to be long listed did not make the cut. Eleven of the thirteen writers have never been on the list before. The shortlist will be announced on 13th September, and the winner declared on October 25th 2016.

Hmm… who do you think will win?

The C.E.O By Kunle Afolayan Sells Out In Cinemas!

Kunle Afolayan’s latest film The C.E.O continues its sold out streak in Nigerian cinemas, having been released on July 15th 2016. The CEO unveils the intrigue in the course of electing the CEO for a company and top executives who come on a business trip start to die one after the other. The movie stars Angelique Kidjo, Fatym Layachi, Nico Panagio, Peter King, Hilda Dokubo among others.

Kunle’s films have always done well at the box office and it is expected that his latest work will make the top three highest grossing box office films in 2016…what do you think?