Description:

Join the Program of African Studies for our weekly lunch and lecture.

Speaker: Femi Odugbemi

Title: A Conversation about Film Making in Nigeria

Abstract:

In this talk I share my experience promoting documentary filmmaking through the iRepresent International Documentary Film Forum (iREP), which I co-founded in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2010. The forum’s conceptual theme of “Africa in self-conversation” drives its mission to use documentary film as a tool to foster sociocultural education and encourage participatory democracy in Nigeria and other African societies. I examine the impact of iREP, not only on the emerging young filmmakers, but also on the political, historical and social conversations on-going in Nigeria. As part of the presentation, I will share a few documentaries that have been produced and presented at the iREP film festival.

Odugbemi’s films will be screened at the Block Cinema on 10/26 and 10/27:

https://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/event/520658

https://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/event/520659

Bio: 

Lagosian filmmaker Femi Odugbemi is Director in Residence at the Program of African Studies from October 23-27, 2017. Odugbemi is a leader of the Nollywood film industry. He studied film and television production at Montana State University from 1979 to 1983. There he became determined to counter the prevailing derogatory depiction of Africa and its culture in the US press, films, and media. Back home, he first embarked on a career in advertising, but used his profits to make independent documentaries on popular culture, education, and other social issues that concerned him. His documentaries make him unique among Nollywood filmmakers who focus on folklore, melodrama, and romance. Odugbemi has served on the executive boards of important Nigerian industry associations, and on continental and international awards juries and film festival boards, including the Emmy Awards. In 2010 Odugbemi cofounded iRepresent International Documentary Film Forum, where he is also executive director. The forum’s conceptual theme of “Africa in self-conversation” drives its mission to use documentary film as a tool to foster sociocultural education and encourage participatory democracy in Nigeria and other African societies. 

Sponsored by the Nollywood working group and the Block Museum