Aswad movie competition debuts, to swell black voices in Cinema- Organiser

By Taiye Olayemi

The organisers of the ASWAD Film Festival say plans are underway to showcase the Black American, European and African $50billon movie market and amplify the black voices in cinema.
Chukwuma Njoku, Chairman of ASWAD Film Festival, stated this in a press release, on Friday, in Lagos.
Njoku, who can also be an African expertise and leisure entrepreneur, stated that the maiden version of the competition is slated to carry in Dubai from January 24 to January 26, 2025.
He famous that the competition aimed to showcase the richness and variety of storytelling in Black American, European, and African cinema.
According to him, this might be carried out by means of a programme that included screenings of 12 movies, business roundtables, panels, workshops and networking occasions.
Njoku stated “Aswad is not just a film festival; it’s a celebration of our stories and our culture. We aim to create a platform that amplifies Black voices in cinema while fostering connections within the industry.
“The Black American, European, and African film industries are experiencing unprecedented growth, and it’s time we had a world-class festival to showcase our talents.”
According to him, ASWAD will concentrate on 4 key pillars: artistic and business sustainability; cross-continent and world connectedness; reasserting African management of their very own tales within the new anti-DEI world, and the celebration of Black excellence.
He stated these pillars underscored the competition’s dedication to not solely showcasing Black American, European, and African cinema but additionally empowering filmmakers and business professionals to thrive within the world market.
He famous {that a} latest information underscored the competition’s relevance in at this time’s leisure panorama.
He stated it was revealed that within the United States, movies with casts that have been 31per cent to 40 per cent individuals of color have been essentially the most profitable on the field workplace in 2023.
He defined that there was nonetheless work to be carried out as Black actors play solely 11 per cent of main movie roles, regardless of making up 13.4 per cent of the US inhabitants.
“With ASWAD, we’re creating a space where filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema lovers can come together to celebrate and elevate black voices in storytelling.
“We’re not just showcasing films; we’re building bridges and opening doors for collaboration on a global scale.
“At the festival, attendees can look forward to live music performances, a glamorous red carpet event, and a gala dinner, culminating in an exclusive yacht excursion.
“As we embark on this journey with Aswad, we are not only celebrating black voices but also paving the way for future generations of storytellers.
“This is more than just a festival; it’s a movement that invites everyone to be part of something truly special,” he stated.