“The Man Died” Wins Big At Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival 2024

The movie adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s memoir, The Man Died, has won the prestigious Audience Choice Award at the 5th Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) 2024. Directed by Awam Amkpa and produced by Femi Odugbemi, the film was the festival’s opening piece, capturing the attention of audiences and critics alike.

The festival, which began on November 27 with a cultural display, concluded on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the GrēnHauz Cinema, Spar Mall, Enugu. Awards were presented to recognise excellence in various categories of filmmaking.

The Man Died portrays Soyinka’s 22 months of imprisonment during the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War under General Yakubu Gowon’s regime. Accused of supporting Biafran rebels, Soyinka endured solitary confinement, an experience brought to life in the film. The cast includes celebrated actors such as Wale Ojo, Sam Dede, Nobert Young, Segilola Ogidan, and Simileoluwa Hassan. Scripted by Bode Asiyanbi, the film is set for an official premiere in July 2025, coinciding with Soyinka’s 90th birthday.

Other major awards included Best Short Film, won by Uchenna Ugwu’s “I Too, Crave Death,” and Best Film Shot in the Southeast, awarded to Chinyere Eneh’s documentary “Women of Salt”. Winners in these categories received cash prizes sponsored by Blecca Foundation. The Best Feature Film prize went to Makula, a Ugandan movie by Nisha Kalema.

This year’s ENIFF featured a special partnership with the European Union to promote short films and documentaries. The curator of the Short Film Competition and Impact Lab for the EU, Bright Wonder Obasi (If I am President) noted that about 60 submissions were received for the short story competition but many failed to meet competition rules. Finalists competed for top prizes, with the EU Short Film Competition winner receiving ₦1,000,000, and the first and second runners-up earning ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively. The Documentary Grant winner also received ₦1,000,000 after pitching their documentary ideas at the festival on November 29.

ENIFF 2024 highlighted diverse voices in African cinema, celebrating storytelling across multiple genres and regions.

Read More:

• Violent Clashes and Stampede at Guinea Football Match Kill Dozens
• KnowDemWell Declares Tinubu Regime a Totalitarian Democracy

About The Author

Chinalurumogu Eze

author

See author's posts