By Godwin Utuedoye,
WARRI DIOCESE- Catholic film producers, Actors and Entertainers in Nigeria have been urged to commit themselves to the production of quality films and programmes capable of promoting the work of evangelization and values of the Catholic Church effectively.
President of SIGNIS Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Alumuku gave this charge recently during a press conference held during the unveiling of the official Logo for the 2019 SIGNIS Nigeria Film and Music Festival held at Ofu-Obi African Centre Enugu.
According to Rev. Fr. Dr. Alumuku noted that, it has become necessary in view of the great emphasis the Church now places on the use of films and entertainment as means evangelization.
While appreciating the great strides being achieved by Catholics in the film and entertainment industry under the aegis of CAEAN, Fr. Dr. Alumuku urged the professionals not to relent, but to double their efforts in ensuring that the quality of film production in Nigeria especially those produced by Catholics go in line with globally acceptable standards.
According to him, such productions should emphasize on the promotion of human and Catholic values such as love, peace, justice, fairness, fidelity, unity and many more.
He revealed that the 2019 SIGNIS Nigeria Film and Music Festival was part of the on-going efforts by SIGNIS Nigeria to promote excellence in the film and entertainment industry, which will in turn impact positively on the society.
“Our desire is to see great improvement in the quality of films that will be showcased at the 2019 Festival in November”.
The 2017 entries were encouraging, but we want this year’s edition to be much better in terms of the posts production quality, sound, lighting and overall editing. This is why we are calling on all dioceses to ensure they present the best of their productions for assessment at the festival.
He also revealed that nine judges, experts drawn from the nine ecclesiastical provinces in the country have been selected to serve as the panel to assess the entries submitted for the festival while efforts are also on to see the possibility of placing some monetary rewards on some of the awards to serve as morale boosters for winners at the festivals.
“We are currently seeking for sponsorship from dioceses, organizations and well meaning Nigerians to help endow some of the awards, to serve as morale booster for the participants. The award is not all about money, but I am sure a little financial appreciation will challenge the participants to go the extra mile, Fr. Dr. Alumuku stated.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Enugu and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Rev. Fr. Ben Achi, represented by his deputy, Rev. Fr. Anthony Aneke, said the Local Organizing Committee and the diocese of Enugu were committed to ensuring a hitch-free and memorable festival for the participants expected from across the country for the event which is billed to hold from November 14 to 16, 2019.
Rev. Fr. Achi equally appealed to the various diocesan directors to support the festival, not only financially, but also in ensuring that their diocesan film producers and entertainers submit quality entries for assessment.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman also disclosed that the final date for acceptance of entries has now been extended to August 30, 2019.
Over ten media organizations,both the electronic, print and Online publishers including members of the diocesan CAMPAN, CAEAN and the Local Organizing Committee were present at the press briefing.
Also present at the event were some executives of SIGNIS Nigeria including Rev. Fr . Femi Adetunji, Vice President, Mr. Tony Agbugba, Secretary General and Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province.