M-NET’S NEW DIRECTIONS FILM INITIATIVE DEBUTS SHORT FILMS FROM KENYA AND NIGERIA

May 2009

M-Net’s 2008 New Directions Africa film initiative, which showcases the best in emerging African filmmaking talent, will debut a series of top-quality African short films in April, including two films from Nigeria and one from Kenya.

The New Directions initiative, established in 1993, is a competition for directors and scriptwriters. It was conceived by M-Net as a developmental film initiative designed to stimulate the growth of emerging African filmmakers. Over the last 16 years, New Directions has generated over 29 African short films and two feature films. The initiative is widely acknowledged as the longest-running film initiative of its kind in Africa. In addition, successful productions enjoy the opportunity of broadcast on DStv in over 40 countries across Africa.

According to M-Net’s Africa Director Biola Adekanbi, the M-Net New Directions initiative is an example of M-Net’s long-term investment and commitment to building a strong skills based foundation for Africa’s filmmaking talent.

Commenting on the project, the Nigerian based businesswoman says, “I’m extremely proud of M-Net’s long history of supporting the development of film and television communities in Africa.”

She goes on to say, “As arguably one of the companies making a big, if not the biggest contribution in this respect, I can confidently say that this is not the result of luck but of hard work, planning and focus. We put vast resources into scriptwriting, producing, audio and acting workshops, in key territories across the continent, including Kenya and Nigeria, to ensure that when it comes to knowledge sharing and skills transfer, we are at the forefront of television companies making a tangible difference.”

This April, M-Net audiences can see the results of this investment first hand, when the channel screens the brand new short films. So what should you expect from the New Directions movies…read on to find out!

- Nigeria’s Ab’Obaku (20 April, 21:00 CAT, M-Net West/29 April, 20:00 CAT, M-Net East) which tells the story of Aremu and Adenike, forbidden lovers in an early century Yoruba kingdom. Aremu is an Ab’obaku – a bearer of great honour and victim of an unusual demand: he is one of 5 courtiers in the palace who must be buried alive upon the King’s death, supposedly to escort the King in his journey to the afterlife.

Adenike is a Princess. Her father, the King, is gravely ill and looks ready for that journey to the afterlife. Adenike will by implication lose her father and her lover should the King die. Their uncertain future is further complicated when she discovers she is pregnant with Aremu’s child.

Adenike and Aremu must make the biggest decision of their lives: to save their future together by escaping or live up to Aremu’s commitment as an Ab’obaku. The lovers confront a decision that would change not only their lives but their ancient traditions forever.

- A second Nigerian film, The Room (4 May, 21:00 CAT, M-Net West/13 May, 20:00 CAT, M-Net East) tells the story of Affiong, an 18-year-old student in England whose frequent run-ins with the law, prompting her father and stepmother to send her packing to Nigeria for three months to study for her A-Levels with her strict grandmother in her father’s hometown.

The Room brings together two people related by blood but from two different worlds. They start things off on the wrong foot, but as time progresses, both are able to understand each other better; realizing they have more in common than they could ever imagine.

- Kenyan short film Killer Necklace (11 May, 21:00 CAT, M-Net West/20 May, 20:00 CAT, M-Net East) introduces us to Boo, a handsome young banker with a bright future and Wai, a sultry young girl from a privileged background. Boo would do anything for Wai, but she has her eye on a different prize - the most beautiful golden necklace in the world.

As Boo rapidly realizes that the way to this woman’s heart is through his wallet, he finds himself forced to go further and further in an effort to be worthy. How far will he go to prove love to a girl he doesn’t really know the first thing about? In a world where wealth, poverty, life and death are but a stones throw apart, to what lengths will Boo and Wai journey to transform perceptions to reality?

So tune in to M-Net and get ready for these great new titles…courtesy of M-Net’s New Directions film initiative.

Other M-Net initiatives in Africa have included the programs and projects - Face of Africa, Big Brother Africa, Big Brother Nigeria, Africa Designs, Survivor Africa, Deal or No Deal, Living It, The Patricia Show, Doctors Quarters, Edge of Paradise, Moments with Mo, Tinsel, Catwalk Kenya, Studio 53, Gladiators, Let’s Dance, Temptation Nigeria, Idols, Stand Up Uganda, Stand Up Zambia, Comedy Club: Live in Lagos and channels like AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Plus and Channel O.

M-Net’s newest series, Great Africans, also debuted on the channel in April. For more information, log on to www.mnetafrica.com.