Paul Obazele plans big for legends of Nollywood award 2021

The yearly Legend of Nollywood Award (LNA) will hold this April under the theme Film and National Security. Founder of the over a decade old award Paul Obazele hinted that the award is being held to coincide with the completion of a short film, which as he explained, is a product of a ten days capacity building workshop for able, less privileged and physically challenged individuals in the area of filmmaking.

The workshop, which culminated into a production of a short film by the participants, is powered by Ecobank Nigeria.

“The workshop participants met every day at the Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS) for 10 days set aside for the training and for another ten days set aside for the shoot of the short film they conceived and scripted,” Obazele, who had been two term President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), said.

He informed that the participants were shared into classes in various areas of filmmaking including scriptwriting, make up and costume, acting, cinematography and editing.

“We started this training programme last year with support of Ecobank and we decided to continue with support from Ecobank and National Institute of Sports so that we can give the physically challenged the opportunity to express themselves. My interaction with them at the national stadium revealed that some of them desire a career in filmmaking which is why we decided on this second edition of the empowerment initiative and I got back accomplished practitioners such as Zack Orji, Chidi Nwokeabia, Segun Arinze Keppy Ekpeyong and many others to come and prepare them for career and ultimately for life. So, we are ready to showcase what they have been able to produce which is why we want to hold LNA 2021.”

Obazele said the short film will be screened at the Legends of Nollywood Award where recipients of the 2021 award will be unveiled.

The LNA was instituted in 2012 to recognise the contributions of practitioners who contributed in no small measure in birthing the Nollywood industry. Prince Jide Kosoko, Amaechi Muanagor, Dr. Chika Onu, Joe Dudun, Obiageli Molube, Jonathan Gbemutor and Chief Pete Edochie are some of the notable personalities that have received the award.