Broadcast Content Across Borders
Berlinale 2023: Honorary Golden Bear, Homage for Steven Spielberg
BERLINALE directors, Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, have confirmed that the Homage of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival will be devoted to American director, producer and screenwriter, Steven Spielberg, who will also be presented with an Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement. In the scope of the award ceremony at the Berlinale Palast, the festival will screen his most recent work, The Fabelmans. A recipient of multiple Academy awards, Spielberg is one of the world's most renowned filmmakers. His oeuvre, consisting of over 100 films and series, is unique in the history of international cinema of the past 60 years for its immense variety. Spielberg has been nominated for an Academy Award a total of 19 times throughout his career – to date he has taken home an Oscar statuette on three occasions. He is considered the most successful filmmaker of all time. His career has been studded with awards, including numerous Golden Globes and Emmys for his filmmaking, as well as a host of honours for his commitment to social causes. For instance, in 1998, he was awarded the Grand Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his film Schindler’s List
and his Shoah Foundation. In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire ( KBE). In 2015, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from sitting US President Barack Obama. “With an incredible career, Spielberg has not only enchanted generations of viewers all over the world, but has also given a new meaning to the ' cinema' as the factory of dreams. Be it in the everlasting magic world of teenagers or in the reality that history has carved forever, his movies take us to a different level, where the big screen becomes the adequate surface for our emotions to be fulfilled. If Berlinale 2023 represents a new beginning we couldn’t find a better start than the one offered by Spielberg’s great work,” said the Berlinale director duo Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian. In The Fabelmans,
an autobiographical work, the director takes a very personal look back at his childhood years. Universal Pictures Germany will release the film in German theatres in March 2023. The Homage films and the date of the Award Ceremony will be published at a later date.
Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival To Hold November 29
THE third edition of Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival ( ENIFF) will hold at Viva Cinemas, Enugu, as from November 29 to December 2. This edition, according to the organisers, will feature the screening of 50 films from 20 countries. It will also feature panel conversations, workshops, awards and master classes to be delivered by some of the best hands in the industry including, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba and Ijeoma Onah. There will also be an American film showcase, which will hold as part of the programmes of the US consulate to commemorate the 16 days activism against gender based violence. Another important segment of the festival is the conversation between curator Nadia Denton and two of Nollywood’s leading lights, Chuka Ejohr and C. J Obasi, titled, Beyond Nollywood. “Africa’s future can be dreamed, shaped and created through story telling. The Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival hopes to contribute to this by promoting films, which tell visionary stories of existence. The ENIFF situates itself in the heartland to better hear the world’s heartbeat. ENIFF is a hub for all creative,” the statement from the organisers indicated. Information on the festival can be sourced at www. eniff. org.
MENA Film Festival To Host Premiere Of Montreal Girls
ORGANISERS of the yearly MENA Film Festival have said this year's event will present the B. C. Premiere of award- winning filmmakers, Patricia Chica ( director, producer, co- writer) and Kamal John Iskander ( co- writer), highly anticipated directorial debut Montréal Girls. The film recently won the Best Feature Award at the Los Angeles International Film Festival where it was also the Closing Night film selection. Starring Mena- Canadian actors, Hakim Brahimi, Jade Hassouné, Manuel Tadros, Chadi Alhelou, Natalie Tannous, and Nahéma Ricci, among others. The story follows Ramy, a Middle- Eastern young man’s turbulent journey and his quest for love and enlightenment while discovering his true calling along the way. "Montréal Girls is a poignant coming- of- age tale, intersecting with cultural identity but also expectations. A steamy, truly Canadian tale, giving us to discover up- and- coming talented actors," said Anaïs Elboujdaini, programming director of the MENA Film Festival. MENA Film Festival brings the voices of filmmakers from the MENA/ SWANA community to Canada and the world. Information on the festival can be sourced at www. Montrealgirlsmovie. com.