‘Film as veritable tool for advocacy’

The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lagos, Ingo Herbert has urged filmmakers to use their stories in their productions as advocacy tool because film is an important media these days and people are more touched and reach a more deeper understanding of an issue through a story in a film.

He said this in Lagos at the press briefing to announce this year’s Green Me Global festival being hosted by the German Embassy, Lagos and slated for April 2-3.

According to him, because environmental issues are about lives, reason the embassy decided to partner with the promoters of the festival, aimed at drawing attention to ecological and environmental.

The President and founder of the festival, Mr. Nicolai Niemann, said that the festival was initiated in 2008 and has over the years transformed from a lounge to a full blown film festival as well as growing from a national festival to an international festival.

“Finalising the festival each year is the award night, during which the best movies from different categories receive awards in prize money. The festival honors the green filmmakers and awards the Green award, A 5.000 Euro award money channeled to the green film genre. Three different films from various categories are awarded. In 2013, during the 6th edition of the festival, a Nollywood special was featured. The festival honored for the first time, the Nollywood filmmakers and awarded the Green Me Film Award; A 5.000 Euro award that focuses on the green film genre. A considerable number of movie entries were received and the movie ‚Hoodrush’ by Dimeji Ajibola won the prize. „We are overjoyed to have received the financial support by the German ministry of foreign affairs, to take this important step of expanding to a new continent. Green Me´s spirit has been well received wholeheartedly by our Nigerian film partners and their official counterparts.”

He said the festival activities include film screening, workshop, panel discussions and exhibition.