Organizers of the Trans Africa International Film Festival (TAIFF) is poised to highlight the rich stories and untapped landscape of Borno State and north-east Nigeria to the world.
Festival director, Nixon Waya Ayuba made this known in an interview with LEADERSHIP Books & Arts, recently.
He said when people think of the north, they think of Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states, all of which are home to five, three to two annual festivals respectively. This has often led to funders overlooking the north-east. Hence, his decision to host a festival in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“There are many talented people in northeast Nigeria, but they are not exposed to platforms and opportunities like this (festival).
“There are so many stories about the northeast to be explored. Borno State in particular is a very unique state with rich cultural history. From the Kanem Borno Empire days, there are stories of the different tribes and histories to tell. There are also stories around the insurgency crisis waiting to be told, that have not been told as they should.
“Imagine, if at the (TAIFF) investment forum pitch deck, young and emerging filmmakers we are aiming to build their capacities can pitch these stories to the two or three producers scheduled to attend. Not to mention how excited the producers will be to see the perspectives of those who experienced the crisis firsthand.
“We hope that Borno State government and private organizations in and around Borno environs will support the festival in providing youths the much-needed exposure that will not only give them a voice, but also keep them gainfully engaged,” said Ayuba.
The festival also serves as an opportunity to dispel some of the stereotypical narratives about the northeast.
Acknowledging the state’s past struggles with insecurity resulting from insurgency activity, Ayuba said the state is currently peaceful and has witnessed massive development by successive governments.
“It was not the same state that I left post my graduation from University of Maiduguri in 2015. There has been massive development in the state. Filmmakers coming to the festival will be exposed to the Borno environment. That is the narrative we are promoting. We are telling filmmakers and cinephiles to come and see Borno for themselves.”
To ensure the safety of attendees, the festival is collaborating with the Nigerian police. It also has its private security detail that will work with the police to accompany festival participants from any point of entrance into the state, to and from the festival venue to their hotels, and back to their points of departure.
Hailing from the north-east, Ayuba’s mother is from Adamawa State, his father from Borno State. He lived in Borno pre and during the insurgency crisis until his graduation from the University of Maiduguri in 2015.
He brings to TAIFF his experience as a filmmaker, producer, TV show host (Inside Nollywood) and festival manager. His zeal to show a Borno, different from the one presented in the media, and the need to empower young people in the area is what drives his team to succeed.
“TAIFF will put Borno State on the map. It will tell stories of the state, as well as build the capacity of youths from the state and its environs. We are open to work with anyone who wants the progress of the northeast, young persons and those that want to change narratives that will lift the northeast Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” concluded Ayuba.
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