AFRIFF 2017: Everything that happened on day 2 of film festival

From the world premiere of "Lost Cafe" to the screening of "Visions" and "Hakkunde," here's everything that happened on day 2 of AFRIFF 2017.

The 7th Africa International Film Festival has kicked off in earnest.

On Monday, October 30, 2017, the second day of the festival, there was an interesting keynote conversation on matters relating to technical film crew with emphasis on Nigeria, facilitated by BCI studios. Filmmakers such as Bose Oshin, Baba Agba and Queen Martins were also around to share tips on the realities of filming in Nigeria.

This was followed by a keynote conversation facilitated by Forde Pro on the role of technology and strategic partnerships in getting African content on the global scene. Panelists included Judith Audu (Just Not Married), Don Omope (Tatu, The Wedding Party) and Nadia Denton.

The Canon Basic DSLR Filmmaking training and talent workshop for young students facilitated by Leke Alabi-Isama commenced at the Afrinolly space in Oregun, Ikeja. The acting and screenplay workshops headlined by Hilda Dokubo and Victor Sanchez-Aghahowa, respectively, also kicked off.

Several screenings were held at Genesis Deluxe Cinemas in Oniru and Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island.

The Highlight of the day was the world premiere of Kenneth Gyang’s anticipated film, "The Lost Café’, which stars Tunde Aladese, Ann Njemanze among others.

At the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, series of short films were screened. They include Richard Odilu’s ‘Oreva,’ which highlights mental illness and its tragic consequences on a family.

‘Still Water Runs Deep,’ which examines toxic masculinity, and ‘The Mob’ (from Ghana) which teases the aftermath of a suspected same-sex relationship.

‘Visions’, an experimental collaborative anthology from the trio of Abba T. Makama, CJ Obasi and Michael Omonua was also screened.

The quirky Ghanaian marital relations drama ‘Keteke’ (Train) directed by Peter Sedufia and starring Lydia Forson and Adjetey Anang was screened, as well as Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Roti’, a feature length on the subject of reincarnation.

Over at Silverbird Cinemas, the line-up of shorts and student shorts screened included ‘Yemoja: Rise of the Orisha’, an interrogation of identity and importance of finding self, ‘Zawaja Gali’ (Marriage is expensive) which explores traditional practices revolving around the ceremony of marriage in African societies, and ‘Chicha," which deals with the consequences of actions taken.

‘Faulty’ hinges its plot on male pride while the documentary, ‘Les Sauteurs’, a collaboration between Senegal and Denmark is a timely take on immigrants and the perils they must face in search of a better life.

Asurf Oluseyi’s ‘Hakkunde’, stars Kunle Idowu as a young Nigerian man who leaves the city of Lagos, bullied by his elder sister and finds his way to Kaduna, where he gets a new lease on life.

The Africa International Film Festival is an annual week-long festival running from October 29 to November 4, 2017.

About 200 carefully curated feature lengths, shorts, documentaries and student films will be screened this year. The festival also encompasses talent development classes, industry workshops and inspiring creative discussions.

AFRIFF is sponsored by Access Bank and supported by the Institut Francaise, British Council, Africa Magic, Air France, AfriNolly, Accelerate TV, Genesis Deluxe Cinema, and Silverbird Cinemas among others.