On Thursday the 17th of March 2022, The Film Rats Club kicked off the inaugural edition of The Annual Film Mischief (TAFM), a film festival poised to bring to audiences a selection of quality low-budget independent films. The theme ‘Less is More’ was chosen to celebrate low budget films with unique narratives and styles. The four-day festival ran from March 17th to March 20th 2022 simultaneously in Ibadan and Lagos Nigeria, as well as virtually. The festival opened physically in Lagos at ‘Viva Cinemas, Ikeja’ and in Ibadan at ‘Thursday Film Series Club, University of Ibadan’, whilst it closed on the 20th of March 2022 in Lagos at ‘Impact Hub Lagos’ in Lagos, and Thursday Film Series Club, University of Ibadan’ in Ibadan.
TAFM screened 23 films in competition, and the objective of the theme “Less is more” was met after watching beautiful films of the members made with little or no budgets. “Songs of Ubong” by Dir. Owen Olowu was awarded the “Grand Cheese” prize (Best film), “The Samaritan” by Dir. Olabode Izy was awarded “Audience Cheese Pick” and “Reflections” written by Kelvin Amamize and Directed by Tosan Anyafulu was awarded the “Best Screenplay” award, and a special Recognition to “A Boy’s Tale” directed by Twamsen Danaan. A beautiful film rated highly recommended by the Festival Director
Apart from the selected films, the festival had special screenings of 3 award-winning films which we referred to as “Cheese Picks”. The first was Chuko & Ari Esiri’s “Eyimofe”, which screened on the opening night at Viva Cinemas Ikeja; followed with a Q&A session with one of the directors; Chuko Esiri and actor Cynthia Ebijie.
The award winning short film “Appreciation” by Dir. Tomisin Adepeju closed the night on Day 3 followed with a Q&A session via “Instagram Live” with the Director.
Paul Utomi’s “Country Hard” was our final cheese pick and it screened on the closing night, also followed by a Q&A session with the director Paul Utomi and Actor Omowunmi Dada.
TAFM also featured other Q&A sessions with the creators, board-table conversations and panel sessions to encourage discourse and document the industry’s journey and future.
We hosted circa 100 attendees in Lagos and 50 attendees in Ibadan during opening and closing nights. Our virtual screenings had numerous watch parties.
We wish to specially thank all our sponsors for the immense support they showed us in organizing this festival.
TAFM is a program of The Film Rats Club. TAFM was proudly sponsored by RedTV, Impact Hub Lagos, Thursday Film Series, Viva Cinemas, Albantsho, Uber and Malta Guinness With PulseNG, Zikoko, WhatKeptmeUp, Shockng, FilmKaku, OpenCountrymag, Phoenix Tribe, S-clusive, Masquerade media, Seventh dimension, Movie Road Show with Irabor Okosun and Games Hut as official media partners.
About the Film Rats Club
Founded in 2017 by Actor/Director Martin Nwachukwu, The Film Rats Club is a community of circa 150 cinephiles across Nigeria i.e. film enthusiasts and filmmakers. These are people who in good faith propagate the gospel of good cinema, and celebrate the filmmakers who make them. With our focus on African cinema, we execute our mission by contributing thought leadership on cinema (critiques, reviews, articles, thesis), through film screenings, classes and interviews with/of industry personnel. In furtherance to our mission, we have set up a film festival called “The Annual Film Mischief”. Join Film Rats Club on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.
Signed,
Media & Content Team
The Annual Film Mischief Website: https://www.filmratsclub.com/theannualfilmmischief/
Email: hello@filmratsclub.com
Phone Number: +234 816 666 5529
