With the aim of creating a paradigm shift in the African film industry, the session was attended by some Nollywood veterans such as Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), the Aneke Twins, Ofiafuluagu Mbaka, Steve Ebo, Afam Okereke, alongside other rising stars from the various sectors of the industry.

The well-attended workshop focused on key industry specialist areas that professionals should focus on to boost professionalism and increase investment. Different facilitators offered subject-matter expert view to enhance creative output of the industry in general and professional credibility of practitioners from the ropes of movie making, to the value chains of funding and distribution.

While speaking on thriving in the film business, and indeed any other business, Jim Jermanok, an award- winning writer, director, producer, author and speaker based in New York whose film Em won the Grand Jury Prize at the Seattle International Film Festival and the Criterion International Inspiration Award opined that to stop learning is to stop living, said, “for life is a class and we all are students.” He further asserted that, “to be successful is to call persistence to service. Don’t stop going when the going gets tough.”

The representative of BVA Consultancy spoke on the issue of financial literacy and how to access funds from the Bank of Industry for films and other creative endeavours. While he stressed the need for financial prudence, he also put attendees through the process of obtaining loans from credible financial institutions while bearing thier creativity in mind.

Martin Gbados, the producer of the award-winning film, Solider Story was also present and spoke to the students about distribution and contracts. While he emphasised the legality of a contract, he went into the heartaches that can be avoided when a contract is in place. He particularly applauded the adoption of digital distribution channels, which have been on the increase.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Rita Mba, was in attendance, as well as 200 participants sponsored by the Enugu State Government. The sponsorship was to the tune of N2million, with additional funding from the Osigwe Anyiam Osigwe foundation.

The speakers at the workshop promised to offer continued support to participants of the workshop and the organizers as well. The workshop also received the green light from some Honourables, who promised to further the cause. With the participants staying for about nine hours, the Africa Film Academy Workshop was intriguing as well as engaging.

During the Gala night tagged Home Coming, the Africa Film Academy Award’s founder, Ms Peace Anyiam Osigwe, spoke about the need for the filmmakers from the South East and South South to improve the quality of their films that they should look at quality rather than quantity .She hoped that soon a film from here could go to Cannes, Berlin, or Toronto and win best Film at AMAA .

Patience Ozokwo, one of the celebrants at the Gala, spoke on the role AMAA has played in her career, Enugu, Nigeria and Africa as whole. She added that AMAA gave her the opportunity to give back to an industry that is the life work of several people. She spoke about an experience with AMAA where she had an opportunity of flying more than 20 people outside of Nigeria to South Africa—an honour she didn’t take for granted.

The Gala night had a lot of surprises with Africa Film Academy and Ethiopia Airline partnering to fly out Patience Ozokwor to Dallas, for an event.

Ethiopian Airlines gave gifts to stars such as Ken Erics Ugo, Rachael Okonkwo, the Aneke twins, Nnaemeka Charles Eze (Nani Boy). Hon. Barr. Chima Obieze, Don. Sylvester Chinedu Nwaeke and Chief Kenneth Anike, received the Africa Film Academy special recognition for support to film industry.

Inducted in to the Africa Film Academy Gold Patrons Club were Hon Amos Oshi, who is building a film village in Enugu and has been supporting filmmakers in Nigeria and Chief Alexander Chukwudimma Nwokeabia. HRH Igwe Edwin Edeoga was also inducted into the Africa Film Academy platinum Patrons Club.

The Speaker Enugu House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, was inducted into the Platinum Patrons Club. The club is a membership to individuals, who support the advancement of the work of the Africa Film Academy programmes in Africa cinema, especially training and canvassing the inclusion of African cinema for all.

Finally, the Speaker Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, accented to look into the plea and request from Southeast filmmakers on building a film village in Enugu, which will not only put Enugu on the creative map, but also create a value chain of opportunities in the creative and entertainment industry.