A conniving Mother-in-law, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a best man missing in action; just a small sample of some of the hilarious characters over 1400 attendees met at the sold out world premiere of Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party yesterday evening.
Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.
Peppered with Nigerian jokes and classic double entendres that had the audience in stiches, The Elfike Film Collective’s ‘The Wedding Party’ opened the Spotlight City to City programme at the Toronto International Film Festival with a star-studded, sold out premiere that brought Africa’s best known names including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W, and Adesua Etomi. Other special guests included Selma’s David Oyeowo and Toronto Raptors President, Masai Urjiri.
“The popularity of Nigerian film has been on a steady incline over the last few years,” comments Executive Producer, Mo Abudu. “More and more global audiences are recognizing the quality of film that comes from the third largest film industry in the world. It was a true honour to have Nigerian film spotlighted in the festival programme and I am truly thrilled to hear such positive feedback from the TIFF global audience.”
And positive feedback from the TIFF global audience it was. The over 1400 guests of the premiere laughed, sang and applauded the film during its air. Cast members were greeted with thunderous applause during the credits.
Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts. Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.
“This will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an International Film Festival of great repute”, adds Abudu. “TIFF’s selection of ‘The Wedding Party’ is a true honour.” I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival.”
‘‘The Wedding Party’ will continue to screen at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 18 at 9:45 a.m. A press/industry screening will also take place on Friday, September 9 at 11:15 a.m. for all festival accredited media.
The movie will subsequently get its World Nigerian premiere in Lagos at The Landmark Centre, Lekki, Lagos, on the 20th of November, 2016.
For more information about The Wedding Party, visit www.theweddingpartymovies.com and be part of the Twitter conversation, follow us @TWPMovie and/ or Instagram @weddingpartymovie. Official hashtag is #TheWeddingPartyMovie.
