Award winning actor and movie director, Kunle Afolayan, has led the way for African cinema into Japan as he takes his latest blockbuster; Phone Swap to Tokyo, on the invitation of Cinema Africa. The movie will be screened during film festival that will also have Afolayan leading series of discussions on Nigeria’s movie industry.
Cinema Africa is a non-profit organization established in 2006 to develop understanding and appreciation of Africa in Japan through African films made by African filmmakers or producers.
The film festival billed to take place between May 18 -23, 2013, would screen Phone Swap May 17 and Figurine May 18 at the Auditorium Shibuya, Tokyo.
Reacting to the invitation Afolayan said “it is no doubt another groundbreaking opportunity to showcase and promote African cinemas to the Asian world. It will also afford many people to have a direct experience of cinemas in Africa, made by Africans, understand our stories as told by us.”
“Africa and Africans can no longer allow their stories to be told from Hollywood’s perspectives or other’s eyes. I hope the African and Nigerian communities in Japan would seize this opportunity to enjoy quality film and let’s celebrate a new beginning in African cinema” he added.
In recognition of his contributions to Nollywood, the award winning filmmaker will be hosted to a dinner by the Nigerian High Commission in Tokyo on the day the festival opens.
The Cinema Africa holds 18-23 May and is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
