Pics From Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party TIFF PremierePosted by Wilson Morales
September 14, 2016
A conniving Mother-in-law, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a best man missing in action; just a small sample of some of the hilarious characters over 1800 attendees met at the sold out world premiere and second screening of Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept.8.
Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.
Peppered with Nigerian jokes and classic double entendres that had the audience in stiches, The Elfike Film Collective’s ‘The Wedding Party’ opened the Spotlight City to City programme at the Toronto International Film Festival with a star-studded, sold out premiere that brought Africa’s best known names including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W, and Adesua Etomi. Other special guests included Selma’s David Oyeowo and Toronto Raptors President, Masai Urjiri.
“The popularity of Nigerian film has been on a steady incline over the last few years,” comments Executive Producer, Mo Abudu. “More and more global audiences are recognizing the quality of film that comes from the third largest film industry in the world. It was a true honour to have Nigerian film spotlighted in the festival programme and I am truly thrilled to hear such positive feedback from the TIFF global audience.”
And positive feedback from the TIFF global audience it was. The over 1800 guests of the premiere and second screening laughed, sang and applauded the film during its air. Cast members were greeted with thunderous applause during the credits at both screenings.
Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts. Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.
“This will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an International Film Festival of great repute”, adds Abudu. “TIFF’s selection of ‘The Wedding Party’ is a true honour.” I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival.”
EbonyLife TV and EbonyLife Films are dedicated to telling the full range of African stories as they have never been told before. Strongly rooted in Africa but connecting to a global audience through a shared identity and common values. EbonyLife TV prides itself as Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle Network for premium homegrown entertainment content. EbonyLife Films is poised to expand this vision by becoming one of Africa’s most influential story tellers.
In the resurgence for telling the story of a new Africa, our first feature film, FIFTY, allowed us to create an honest insight of Africa in contrast to the stereotypical fatalistic stories filmmakers tend to tell of the continent. These stories mould the worldview of Africa as a single story. As Africans living in Africa, we are passionate about telling our stories, of a multidimensional reality that is a burgeoning, pioneering, cosmopolitan and progressive Africa.
EbonyLife Films further captures the very essence and soul of Africa via its Storytelling, and has extended itself to representing history, personal narrative, political commentary and evolving cultural norms, as well as addressing educational objectives.
