Tag Archives: Ijeoma Onah

NIFS unveils 2023 events

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The Nigerian International Film & TV Summit (NIFS) has revealed the dates and locations of its events for this year.

Ijeoma Onah

The summit seeks to promote the Nigerian film industry globally through networking and providing business insights into untapped opportunities in Nigeria’s audiovisual sector.

This year’s events will be held in various cities: Paris, France (April 14-15); Lagos, Nigeria (September 6-8); Toronto, Canada (September 15-16), London (October 13-14), UK; and Los Angeles (November 3-4), US.

Areas of focus include OTT disruption; the future of traditional versus digital monetisation and distribution across borders; and leveraging technology and innovative solutions for the creation and distribution of FAST channels to drive maximum revenues.

Ijeoma Onah, founder of the NIFS, said: “I am super grateful to God almighty that since 2017 when we launched our first edition, American Film Market, we have remained focused on positioning Nigerian professionals and businesses in the film ecosystem for international business and collaborations.

“Our success stories in international bridge-building speak volumes for us and we remain committed to creating awareness, driving the right conversations presenting and projecting the positive trajectory and progress of the Nigerian film industry. We look forward to great partnerships that will drive value with undeniable impact for our partners and attendees this year.”

To register to attend these events, click here.

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NIFS 2022 opens for registrations

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Registrations have opened for this year’s Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS), which will follow the theme Streaming Wars: The implications on future of content monetisation for film and TV content.

Ijeoma Onah

The event, to be held in Lagos from August 31 to September 2, aims to drive conversations about the business of film and television, help reposition local businesses and drive international collaborations.

Anyone interested in attending can register here.

Ijeoma Onah, founder of NIFS, said on Instagram: “As registration opens today for the 2022 Nigerian International Film and TV Summit, we remain committed to building capacity for the industry by providing opportunity for industry execs to converge, network and drive conversations focusing on the business of film and TV.

“Most importantly, as individuals and organisations continue to drive the changes needed with little or no support structures or institutional support as we see in other climes, we must remain focused in achieving our main objective, which is taking industries that were built with little or no support global.”

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Eko Awards to honour Nigerian women

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The Eko Star Film & Television Awards will take place in Lagos on March 24 in honour of International Women’s Month.

Ijeoma Onah

The event is presented by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, in partnership with EbonyLife Place and the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS). It will take place at EbonyLife Place in Victoria Island, Lagos, from 14.00 to 18.00.

The awards celebrate the creative female pioneers in Nigeria’s burgeoning film industry and will feature notable and upcoming directors, producers, writers and actors.

Nollywood stars set to receive the special recognition award include Omotola Jalade, Omoni Oboli, Shaffy Bello, Omowunmi Dada, Kate Henshaw, Osas Ighodaro, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Emem Isong and Kemi Adetiba.

Chichi Nworah, CEO of Giant Creative Media, Nneka Isaac Moses (executive producer of TV show Goge Africa), Agatha Amata (CEO of Rave TV) and Sa’a Ibrahim (CEO of Kano State TV and chair of BON) will also be recognised.

Ijeoma Onah, founder of the NIFS, said: “Women in the Nigerian film and TV industry have remained key drivers of the creative economy, and recognising their accomplishments in the industry is worth celebrating. We remain committed to showcasing and promoting the achievements of Nigerian women in film and television globally, across the NIFS’s huge database of global film and TV executives, influencers and decision makers.”

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Yanga! TV lands on streamer SuperTV

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UK-based linear channel Yanga! TV, aimed at the African diaspora, has launched on Nigerian zero-data streaming platform SuperTV.

Ijeoma Onah

SuperTV subscribers can now stream Yanga! TV on their devices without the use of an active data subscription as well as watch at least 26 live TV channels that are already streaming on the SuperTV app.

Ijeoma Onah, acting CEO and director of content strategy and acquisition at SuperTV, said: “SuperTV caters to a niche audience who are interested in top entertainment of both local and international content and our priority is to meet and exceed their expectations.

“We are excited about onboarding Yanga! TV on the SuperTV app, especially because of the high quality of entertainment the channel offers as well as the variety of shows that appeal to our audience.”

“Yanga! TV came out of the desire to launch a channel that really captures the essence of African pride, hence its name. We are bringing great quality stories to SuperTV that will appeal to everybody of African heritage and beyond,” added Lindsey Oliver, CEO of Yanga! TV.

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Rave TV makes debuts on SuperTV

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Lagos-based interactive entertainment network Rave TV has launched on Nigerian zero-data streaming platform SuperTV.

Ijeoma Onah

With more than 25 live TV channels already streaming on the SuperTV app, subscribers will be able to watch Rave TV on their devices and access content at an affordable price with just airtime rather than data costs, according to the companies.

“As a technology company that offers zero-data streaming, we also want to ensure that our subscribers have a wide range of quality entertainment while giving our partners a platform to monetise their content,” said Ijeoma Onah, acting CEO and director of content strategy and acquisitions at SuperTV

“SuperTV is glad to have Rave TV on board as one of our partners and we are positive that their authentic youth-focused content will bring both entertainment and value to our subscribers.”

Rave TV CEO Agatha Amata said: “We are particularly excited about this strategic partnership with SuperTV because our upwardly mobile, youthful audience can now easily access and watch Rave TV on their mobile devices at zero data cost. This is most certainly a win for us as we pride ourselves in our interactive and engaging programming time belts of participatory live and recorded shows.”

According to SuperTV, the partnership promises to bring entertainment to its own subscribers and a new audience for Rave TV, and will open up new and additional revenue opportunities for all parties involved.

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NITV founder Onah eyes progress

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Ijeoma Onah at the NITV Summit

 

Ijeoma Onah, founder of the Nigerian International TV (NITV) Summit, used the fourth edition of the event, held in Lagos this week, to emphasise the need for industry collaboration to move the sector forward.

With the three-day event based on the theme of Digital Consumption, Distribution & Disruption: Implications for Film & TV Content Business in Nigeria & for Sub-Saharan Africa, Onah acknowledged the importance of having conversations about how businesses can reposition themselves; what streaming businesses are doing to the film industry; exploring new possibilities and models within the ecosystem; and how businesses can navigate through these disruptive times.

Looking at the Nigerian film industry, FilmOne Entertainment MD Moses Babatope said NITV had been instrumental to key business relationships. “This seemingly local event has had global impact and we hope it continues to inspire people in the film business.”

He shed more light on some of the misconceptions people have about the film industry in an effort to let people rethink their positions about film across the value chain. These misconceptions include the suggestion that there is a monetary charge for film reviews; that producers, distributors and exhibitors are one and the same. He also said many people still don’t really understand what distributors do.

Clearing up these misconceptions, Babatope stated distributors like FilmOne’s activities range from forging relationships and ensuring cinemas get to release films, to engaging in marketing strategies as well as working with producers. Babatope added that films are selected for distribution based on censorship, cast, genre, release period, advertising and publicity.

On the issue of the existence of a so-called ‘film cabal’ – an inner circle of powerful industry execs – he said: “One thing often overlooked is that the majority of the chart-toppers are collaborators, especially from their first feature projects.”

Babatope added that the industry should ensure Nigeria’s cinemas grow and pay TV platforms thrive.

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NITV puts focus on France/Nigeria trade

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L-R: Juliette Vivier, Ijeoma Onah and Tatiana Moussali

Strategies for increasing trade and business opportunities between Nigeria and France were the topic of a lively panel at the Nigerian International TV (NITV) Summit this week.

NITV founder Ijeoma Onah said that since the inception of the Summit in 2018, there have been plenty of collaborations between French and Nigerian companies that have helped shaped the narrative that language is no longer a barrier in the film and TV business.

Francis Nebot, CEO of IFind Pictures; Benjamin Budd, business development manager at Vivendi Africa; Olivier Pascal, CEO of L’Académie Franco-Anglophone des Arts Audiovisuels & Cinéma; Denis Ponac, CEO of Summview; Juliette Vivier, international director at Hiventy Group; and Tatiana Moussali, CEO of WE Entertainment were all on hand to discuss how French companies have invested in Nigeria in order to strengthen their relationship via better collaborations.

Budd talked about the business of France-based Vivendi in Africa and how the Canal+ owner has impacted the film industry by establishing a theatre in Abuja, opening the first Anglophone venue in Nigeria, while the venue in Lagos is still under construction. He added that Vivendi is looking to “develop its footprint” in the Nigerian market.

He also mentioned the function of the company’s African cinema subsidiary Canal Olympia, which is to promote African cinema in Nigeria. As an example, he highlighted Oge Obasi-produced feature film Juju Stories, which will be released by Canal Olympia in 12 West African countries.

IFind’s Nebot, a distributor of Nollywood and French-language African films, said: “It was quite a challenge getting a market to like African content and accept. Even dubbing the content to their standard so the African accent won’t be noticeable was hard.”

Hiventy’s Vivier said her company is already working with Nigerian partners and is taking the business model out globally. “We are the first technology partner for Netflix in Nigeria. You should think about your content when coproducing, and it should be produced in a way that addresses a global audience.”

Onah added: “Disruption is here and it changes the traditional way of doing things. The digital era is here to stay and there is an opportunity that needs to be tapped, but we need to pay attention.”

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Streamer SuperTV launches in Lagos

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SuperTV, a new zero-data video-on-demand streaming platform, has launched in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with telecommunications company MTN Nigeria.

SuperTV team (L-R) chairman Dotun Sulaiman, acting CEO Ijeoma Onah and businessman Obi Asika

With the zero-data offering, viewers will be able to stream their favourite movies, TV shows and access rich content at an affordable price with just airtime, according to the company.

Ijeoma Onah, founder of the Nigeria International Film Summit and acting CEO of SuperTV, said: “I am giving thanks to God almighty for the journey so far. It’s been by his help all through. Thank you to all the engineers and IT support staff of MTN who had sleepless nights in the integration and robust testing of SuperTV during the UAT process.

“This current phase of the SuperTV journey began approximately 18 months ago. That was when this great team of professionals and priceless talents were assembled. I want to thank our chairman, Dotun Sulaiman, for keeping faith in this project and managing the expectations of SuperTV investors in the face of many delays, disappointments and failed launch attempts. This launch has been cancelled three times. Thanks to the management team and investors for their patience.”

SuperTV includes Nollywood and international movies, drama series, kids’ programming, sport and documentaries. Channels in the mix include NTA, Silverbird TV, African Magic and Africa News.

International channels include KBS World, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV Base, Trace, Aljazeera, France 24, CBS Reality, Bloomberg TV and Jim Jam. It will be available to Nigerians from October 1 on the Play Store and App Store.

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NITV launches next month

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NITV founder Ijeoma Onah

The Nigerian International Television Summit (NITV) is set to take place in Lagos in September.

NITV will be hosting another edition of its international TV and content conference on September 5 at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Several local and international TV industry professionals will converge at the summit to discuss the future of local TV content on a global scale.

The summit will feature presentations, panel and roundtable discussions, workshops and opportunities for networking. Various local television broadcasting companies will be represented at the event, including MultiChoice Nigeria, Play TV, Rave TV, EbonyLife TV, R2TV, Linda Ikeji TV, EMCOAN, Aforevo, Yanga TV and Zee Entertainment.

The conference will comprise varied discussions addressing the issues and challenges currently facing the Nigerian TV industry with the theme focused on Local for Global: Local Content Meeting Global Demand.

Speakers due to be part of these discussions include top media executives and thought leaders in the industry, such as Funmi Adenaike, general manager of Play TV; John Ugbe, MD at MultiChoice Nigeria; Zachary Wazara, CEO of Kwese TV; Tosin Dokpesi, MD of AIT; Jared Murray-Bruce, executive director of STV; Ayo Animashuaun, CEO of HIP TV; and Emad Ahmad, general manager of Wazobia TV.

Interested participants can click here to register.

NITV was founded by Ijeoma Onah as a business summit that focuses on various aspects of the TV content business in Nigeria, from content production to licensing, distribution and post-production. It aims to help media executives understand the dynamics of the local and international TV content market. Content Nigeria is among the media partners.

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Mace, Zee unveil Indian format

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Nigerian agency Mace Entertainment and broadcaster Zee World have held a press screening for Deceptive Measures, their Nigerian adaptation of an Indian scripted format.

Mike Godson

The show runs to 104 half-hour episodes and is the first local version of successful Indian drama Pavitra Rishta.

The cast and crew come from Nigeria and the show was shot in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.

The new show will star Nollywood actor Mike Godson who signed a deal with Bollywood producers last year to feature in an English-language TV series on Zee World, the South Africa-based Bollywood channel.

He later met Rani Rajesh, director of Spectrum Film in Indonesia, Ijeoma Onah, founder of NIFS and Manoj Jagtiani, Mace Entertainment’s CEO, and Deceptive Measures was launched.

The show will air soon but the exact date has not yet been announced.

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