By Israel Adamu ,Jos
The Ezekiel Gomos Short Film Fund an initiative by Mr. Dimbo Atiya has honoured two winners of a filmmaker’s entry competition with N1 million soft funding in honour of CEO of Jos Business School, Nde Ezekiel Gomos.
Our correspondent reports that winners of the one -page pitch and synopsis competition Rubiya Sadig and Twamsen Danaan were granted N500,000 each at a press briefing yesterday at the Jos Business School in the Plateau State Capital.
Mr. Dimbo Atiya stated that the film fund is to give back to society and to encourage young filmmakers who are very talented but lack the funds to get their dreams started.
“Years ago as a young dreamer, Mr. Eziekel Gomos funded my small business venture which I am grateful for.
Recently I was honoured by the Jos Business School headed by Mr. Gomos , His wealth of knowledge has also made me a better person in society.
“As a way of giving back to the society I have tried to extend opportunities to people in Plateau. For the last four years 70% of the crew members in the films I produced are from Plateau.
According to Mr. Dimbo, the film production is one of the toughest industry to be when it comes to funding.
“Nollywood industry has not been privileged in terms of requesting for a loan from the bank to make a movie or meet investors, it takes some kind of grace to get investors especially considering how expensive film making can be.
“It is in light of this an entry submission of a one-page pitch and synopsis with the theme: “Zero to Hundred” was open to short filmmakers within Jos.“
“The two winners will be granted N500,000 each and mentored through the process of scripting, budgeting, production and marketing of 15 minutes short film starting with the entry project.”
“Our target is to have Plateau film makers at film festivals and other international stages”
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of Jos Business School and former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Nde Ezekiel Gomos said that the honour given to the two winners will open doors for them and others .
“For a single movie produced in Nigeria today, it employs a minimum of 100 people and up to 500 people. The Film Industry is something that we in Jos Business School (JBS) think is important to pay attention to hence this initiative”
“As Dimbo rightly said its not just about funding a project but mentoring the winners in every process of film making to enable them to become independent and be able to help others and provide more jobs in the long run”
Dimbo Atiya is a Plateau-Born Graduate of the prestigious New York Film Academy USA, the Founder of the “Jostified Movement”, an award-winning Film/Television Director and Producer with highly rated production credits like: Sons of the Caliphate, Halita, the Rishantes, Nawa Nawa, Drawing Strength and Still Falling.
