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The Women in Film and Television, Nigeria (WIFTIN), a member-based non-profit organisation recently held its official launch at the GET Arena in Lekki, Lagos. According to its President, Muna Iyanam, the organisation which is the Nigerian chapter of the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), is dedicated to capacity building for the female youth and recognising and supporting women in screen-based and other media in Nigeria.

“We were officially incorporated in Nigeria in 2006 but waited this long to launch because we wanted to work on our organisational structure. We wanted to get the right hands, those with strong commitment to our course. “After making sure we had this, we decided to formally introduce ourselves to the general public this year,” Mrs. Iyanam explained in her opening speech.

“Still,” she continued, “we have been involved in some projects over the years, like helping with scholarships for film students,”.

Brave Heart

Apart from its official launch, the organisation was also celebrating the 2011 International Women’s Day by premiering a docu-drama titled ‘Brave Heart.’ The fifteen-minute film which was written, directed and produced by independent producer, Khadijah Kuranga, was one of seven shorts selected by a panel at the WIFTI headquarters in Los Angeles to be premiered at all their chapters on International Women’s Day.

The filmmaker was on hand to talk about the inspiration behind the documentary. She said that the documentary was part of a project she was working on, aimed at depicting the lives of people who have managed to survive within this economy and in spite of their desperate situation.

‘Brave Heart’ is based on the true life story of a certain ‘Mama Emma’, a widow who lost all the monies and properties she inherited from her husband to fraudsters shortly after his death. In order to to make ends meet, Mama Emma whose husband who previously lead a comfortable life, was reduced to selling pure water. She also had to withdraw her kids from the private school they had been attending and enrolled them in public school. Mrs. Iyanam pointed out that such inspiring stories were what WIFTIN was looking out for, in order to draw more attention to the plight of women in the society.

“WIFTIN is also interested in getting scholarship for and sponsoring young women interested in the film industry to schools where they can perfet their art; whether as directors, actresses, make-up or any other profession in film,” she said.

Following your dreams

Also at the launch was novelist, Ebi Akpeti who gave a brief talk on ‘Following your Dreams’. She talked about the importance of finding out “what your hands do naturally” and pursuing that, no matter what.

The event was emceed by the BEAT 99.9 on-air personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi who is also WIFTIN’s Director of Events and Sponsorship.

Other directors include: photographer Aisha Augie-Kuta, Vice President; publisher Amara Agbim, Director of Communications; banker and socialite Efeturi Doghudje, Publicity Director; and Khadija Kuranga whose docu-drama was shown at the event, Programmes Director.

According to Iyanam, the WIFTIN board also includes ace broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede as a member of the board of trustees and former Director General of National Television Authority (NTA) on the board of Trustees. Neither of them were at the event.

WIFTIN membership is open to female students of film and theatre, women interested in the film industry and professionals within the industry.

“Inquiries can be made to info@wiftin.org or on our website, wiftin.org,” said the director of communications, Amara Agbim. “We are also on Facebook.” The official launch of WIFTIN ended with the cutting of a ceremonial cake and light refreshments.