The African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) like every other event held in Nigeria was plagued with myriads of technical issues, ranging from power supply to mobile network jams and lack of support from service providers.

Above all, the underlying issue remains the economic recession that currently faces the country. Its effects on the operations of the technical department of AFRIFF was huge and it took the determination and professionalism of the team to carry out a successful week-long event despite the challenges.

But the assumption that power and internet were the biggest challenges faced were put to rest when we spoke with the Technical Director of AFRIFF, Julian Nwagboniwe. He lamented that the lack of funding could have ruined plans but somehow, the team pulled through. He said, “The main challenge is funding. We have done it many times and we know what to expect. In as much as we didn’t get as much funding this year we were able to look for solutions to make things work. This year was smaller and tighter. There wasn’t much frivolities, we just went straight to the essence”.

As preparations are steadily in gear for 2017 AFRIFF, Mr Nwagboniwe is hopeful that the situation would improve and multinationals will be more willing to support. He said, “We are looking to the future, we hear excuses like we have prepared the budget, you were late this year, maybe next year, and on and on like that. We are hopeful, maybe 2017 hoping that what the government said about the recession is true that it will be over in 2017“.

As AFRIFF is privately funded, organisers look forward to a better economy and eventual drop in electricity tariffs and fuel prices.

Tolu

Your pop culture/entertainment go-to. Music head. Wallflower. I do not like to write. On a mission to decipher covfefe.