Nigerian sports personalities and film makers are set to meet in a 3-days Inside Nollywood Film Festival and Awards INFFA, billed to hold February 15-17 in Abuja.
The festival will also feature the maiden edition of the Indigenous Sports Week set to hold on Friday, February 16 2024 in Abuja.
According to the convener of the Indigenous Sports Week, Olufemi Abioye, he described the indigenous sports week as a confluence of excellence, culture, and sport showcasing Indigenous sport, saying it is organized in partnership with Inside Nollywood Film Festival and Awards INFFA.
He stressed that the sports week as part of INFFA award ceremony will witness sports meet audiovisual industry masterclass with the theme – Making of short documentaries and short Films.
He added the program will offer a film screening, lead presentation, and round table discussion on how to produce content.
“In the masterclass, there will be discussions on the subtopic, why there are no films about Nigerian sports) teams and legends, challenges in making sports films, and resolutions.
“Expected participants in the masterclass include sports personalities, screenwriters, directors and producers, artists and musicians, exhibitors, and vendors,” he said.
He said the the Indigenous Sports Week will also witness the crowning of the JAGABAN Belt Championship.
“An invitational competition for Traditional wrestling (kokowa) and boxing (dambe), which will be titled “The Jagaban Belt.”
He said the championship challenge will consist of 12 invited fighters in both traditional challenges. The winners of both championships will go home with belts, cash prizes, and other prizes.
“Also, there will be awards given out at the Indigenous Sports Week. They include the best documentary Film with a Sports theme, the best Advertising using Nigeria sports icons, and the Special Recognition award,” he said.
The convener believes sports has a place in films as there is a need to tell the stories of our sporting heroes.
“The major aim of the Indigenous Sports Week is to start a conversation and action around how we document the stories of our sporting heroes so that it will serve as motivation to the youths and also expand the opportunities in sports and entertainment.
“ It is also an opportunity for both industries, entertainment and sports to network and help each industries find opportunities to expand their offerings,” he said.