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Since the 1940s, Warner Theater has showcased Hollywood at its finest. In 1992, the legendary American musician and actor Frank Sinatra performed Live at the theater. The theater also hosts the BET (Black Entertainment Television) award annually. The BET award has the largest “African American” fan base in the United States.
Africans in Africa as well as those in diaspora know that Nollywood is making an aggressive effort to be recognized as a powerful and valid contributor to the film industry. Nollywood has rapidly grown from its parent country Nigeria, to its neighboring African countries. In recent years, Nollywood is also seen moving across Europe and African films are being filmed in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, and even Asia.
With positive progression in the African movie industry, it has come to attention of many that good work should be recognized and rewarded both in Africa and overseas. A special attention should especially be giving to films positively representing authentic and evolving contemporary African culture. One of the master minds who stood up to the challenge overseas is Dr. Victor Olatoye. The “Nollywood African Film Critics” (NAFC) team headed by Dr. Victor Olatoye, approached the legendary Hollywood Warner Theater owned by the famous Warner Brothers concerning the hosting of the 3rd Annual NAFCA. Through hard work and dedication by the NAFC, the Theater agreed to host one of the biggest events in North America celebrating authentic African culture and Arts!
In light of this tremendous achievement by the “Nollywood African Film Critics, Nollywood Spotlight interviewed the President and CEO of NAFCA, Dr. Victor Olatoye.
Nollywood Spotlight: What is the NAFCA?
Dr. Victor Olatoye : NAFCA is the Nollywood & African Film Critics' Award, also known as the African Oscars. This award is an accolade bestowed by the Nollywood Film Critics USA (the official movie review organization for Nollywood and African films) to recognize excellence of professionals in the African film industry. It is also an honorary award to honor humanitarians, dignitaries, and government official who have positively impacted the lives of citizens. The coveted and prestigious Nollywood & African Film Critics' Award is one of the most prominent award ceremony honoring the African cinema. It is also the only awards to boast of African movie stars from around the world in North America. Nollywood & African Film Critics' Award is designed to promote African Cinema, music and culture worldwide. The prestigious Nollywood & African Film Critics' Awards (African Oscars) are awards of merit and are considered the highest U.S.A. based awards.
Nollywood Spotlight: Who are the founders and CEO of the NAFCA?
Dr. Victor Olatoye: Myself and Troy McNish as well as others on the board of directors. We are also currently conducting interviews with a number of successful business executives who have shown interest in our organization.
Nollywood Spotlight: How do you think Europe currently views Nollywood?
Dr. Victor Olatoye: Europe is joining what I call the “Nollywood Express” I think. Now there are online French publications dedicated to Nollywood, that tells you something right there. It tells you they are hungry for our movies and would want to know about our culture through films. All we have to do from this point onward is to continue to produce quality films and tell compelling stories. I mean stories that would not make you want to slap yourself or turn the T.V off, if you know what I mean? This might be the perfect opportunity to produce some films in French (voice over).The whole world is talking about Nollywood so Europe by analogy cannot be the only exception.
Nollywood Spotlight: What part does the NAFCA play in the re-branding of Nollywood abroad?
Dr. Victor Olatoye: NAFCA is not only re-branding Nollywood abroad we are also doing that at home and throughout Africa. How is this possible? NAFCA does it through our movie reviews, through our newsletters and through Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards. I must tell you my sister, if we do not bring credible awards to the Diaspora; the people out here of different cultural backgrounds would not come looking for us and our films. (Unless they have something to gain financially then they might show up). Also I am a firm believer that if we do not tell our own stories someone else will tell them for us and we all know how "accurately" those have been turning out for centuries. NAFCA is primarily set up to recognize excellence of professionals in the African film industry but we also have one of the most credible honorary awards to honor humanitarians, dignitaries, and government official who have positively impacted the lives of citizens. Why is that important? If you honor people who are going beyond the call of duty to impact people’s lives positively, you will possibly encourage others to join what I call the “Do Good Express”. This year we are adding a special NAFCA award, “The Patriot Award” and that is for African business leaders and Africans who have made Mama Africa proud in the Diaspora and at home.
Part of re-branding Nollywood and Africa is the fact that we will be joining other great events that have performed at the legendary Warner Theater. On September 14 we will become the first African Movie award to sign the Guest Book at the Warner Theater. Just to tell you a little bit about the legendary Warner Theater: On August 12, 1943, the movie "This is the Army" premiered there. In 1945, the theater began showing movies exclusively. The theater was renamed in 1947 in honor of its owner, Harry Warner one of the founders of Warner Brothers. In 1992, Frank Sinatra performed there. In 2007, it was the venue for the first annual Library of Congress Gershawin Prize for Popular Song and the recipient of the first Gershwin Prize was Paul Simon. The theater is also home to The BET Honors ceremony, held annually.
For this legendary Warner Theater to agreed to host the 3rd Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards also known as the African Oscars on the 14th of September 2013 is history in the making as this is the first African film award to be held at this legendary American Theater. This year’s award will be our biggest to date and with a long list of VIP guests from all works of life to grace this historic occasion, including A list African movie stars, Hollywood stars, Ambassadors, political figures, musicians, dignitaries and over 1700 Nollywood fans from across the globe. Our guest will witness the honoring of noble men and women of Africa as we present them with the coveted golden NAFCA trophies. Warner Theater seats about 1900 people and we are just as excited as the people at the Warner Theater and it is an honor to become part of the Warner Brothers history.
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| Dr. Victor Olatoye |
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| Nollywood African Film Critic Awards 2013 (NAFCA) |
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| Warner Theater (Exterior) |
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| Warner Theater (Interior closer to the stage) |
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| Warner Theater (Interior) |
BE A PART OF THIS GREAT HISTORY IN THE MAKING. DON'T MISS THIS EVENT. CLICK HERE NOW For the "Nollywood African Film Critic Awards" 2013 Tickets!!
To Be Continued! Stay tuned for more of our interview with Dr. Victor Olatoye...
