LAGOS – The inaugural edition of The Film Gala®, hosted by Osas Ighodaro-Ajibade, 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant winner and acclaimed actress, and by Toni Tones, singer, songwriter and actress, at the Wings Tower, Victoria Island, and presented by Filmhouse Cinemas, in partnership with Moët & Chandon, was held on the 26th of January, 2019. Filmhouse Cinemas, the premiere movie/film platform in Nigeria and Moët & Chandon, the official champagne of the Golden Globes, collaborated to bring to the forefront of the Nigerian film industry bodies of work that are breaking the norm in contemporary Nigerian cinema and inspiring really creative pieces of art. And as such, it was no surprise that the theme of the night was “Married To The Arts.”
Gracing the purple carpet of The Film Gala was the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry. The likes of Ngozi Nwosu, Chinedu Ikedieze, Shaffy Bello, Dakore Egbuson, Alex Ekubo, Kemi Adetiba, Iretiola Doyle, Oyeka Udoka, Waje, Omawumi, Abimbola Craig and Timini Egbuson were among the celebrities in attendance. Many more A-list industry stars, music luminaries and the upper echelon of Lagos society made their way to the gala in the most elegant fashion.
The Film Gala was curated to celebrate and honor the works of our game changers and groundbreaking members of our ever-blooming film industry. The gala featured the best of Nollywood and various initiatives that left strong imprints in the industry, and society as a whole. Most importantly, it was an event that reflected the continuity of support, promotion of opportunity and growth that the community has given to Nigeria’s growing film industry. In that same vein, the Film Gala awarded Michael Akinkunle Akinrogunde, an AFP Alumnus and filmmaker with Accelerate TV, with a One Million Naira cash prize from VISA and Filmhouse Cinemas, a distribution deal on his first feature-length film, and with The Lady®, its official statuette, for his short film, “Penance.” The young filmmaker was voted ‘best short film director’ and his film voted ‘best short film’ by the audience via live visual audience votes after his film and other incredibly outstanding shorts, carefully selected and nominated, were viewed.
Seyi Tinubu, CEO of Loatsad Promomedia, presented the award to Michael Akinrogunde, while the representatives of Filmhouse Cinemas, Lolu Desalu and of Moët & Chandon, Elizabeth Oputa, addressed the audience on this groundbreaking artistic partnership that will ultimately redefine award season in the industry and the film industry as a whole. Moët & Chandon has a long-standing affair with cinema and this innovative partnership with the foremost cinematic platform in the Nigerian industry, Filmhouse Cinemas, is sure to make luminous the magic in all the budding talent and art within the industry.
The team behind the gala, Filmhouse Cinemas, and Moët & Chandon, definitely brought the theme of the event to life with the decor and ambiance that depicted classical art and opulence. They also presented fine dining to their guests through the exquisite and sumptuous dishes of chef extraordinaire, Chef Eros. Guests were served a four-course meal consisting of Lobster Bisque, Duck Salad, Poached Chicken and an assortment of desserts. All the meals were paired with the finest selections of champagnes within the Moët & Chandon’s range.
The post-gala after party followed immediately after this exclusive event, which was held by the waterside of the Wings Tower, a specially extended section outside the main auditorium the gala event was held in. It began with an explosion of fireworks as guests danced and mingled, popping Moët and Chandon champagne and Hennessy bottles, reveling in the magic and grandeur of the lit night sky. And what a beautiful night it was!
About Moët &Chandon
Recognized for its quality and prestige, Moët & Chandon is the champagne of choice for celebration in both big and small moments. The venerable house has captured the attention of the brightest stars since the birth of the film industry. Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon contributed to introduce champagne to the world by offering a range of unique wines for every occasion. Moët & Chandon celebrates the thrill of living. With a bottle of its champagne opened every second around the globe, Moët & Chandon knows that every second is an experience, and every experience is a #Moetmoment to live now.
About Filmhouse
Filmhouse Cinemas Limited is a dynamic film exhibition company with a vision to be the no. 1 cinema brand in Nigeria.
The company management team has over 100 years combined cinema operation and development experience gained in England, Italy, USA, Spain and Nigeria. Filmhouse has a clear and well-understood organisational structure and strives to appoint employees with requisite skills, knowledge and experience for the roles they undertake.
The Cinema designs and operation style largely incorporates complimentary multifarious features including games arcade, ice cream café, food concession, toys shop, digital cinema, 3D cinema and kid’s club. Filmhouse success is driven primarily by a strong experienced management team, innovative marketing activities and impressive guest service standards.
The Company’s mission is to continue to create magical experiences through content that entertains and inspires.
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True to form, the 2018 edition of the Lagos Cocktail Week (LCW2018) showcased some of the best of Nigeria’s cocktail industry, with the gathering of leading voices in the sector at Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The 3-day event ran from 16th – 18th October 2018 and provided a platform for several homegrown and international drinks brands to showcase, while a cross section of professionals in cocktails and events space received training and networking opportunities.
The Lagos Cocktail Week kicked off with a fun and spirited Bar Crawl on the 4th of Oct, with influencers and celebrities on a ride through 5 bars in Lagos sampling various drinks and cocktails. On the ride was Ini Dima Okojie, Mimi Onalaja, Toni Tones, Idia Aisien, Nonso Bassey, Bollylomo, Ehiz, Chiamaka Ntia, Simi Drey, Demilade Roberts, Uriel Oputa, Onyinye Azode competing for the title of “Last Man Standing”. The bars visited were Signature Lounge, Brass and Copper, Backyard Bar and Grill, South Eatery and Buzz Bar.
The bar crawl was the road map to the main event which kicked off with a conference on the 16th for food, beverage and cocktail industry enthusiasts. Several speakers and panelists spoke around the theme, “Changing the African Cocktail Narrative Through Collaboration and Creativity.” On the panel of speakers where international speakers such as Alexis Brown of Causing a Stir, US and Mihails Minckovskis. Other speakers include Shina Peller, Ronke Bamisedun, Uzo Orimalade, Elizabeth Oputa and a host of others.
The 3-day event rounded off with a high octane and well-attended Bar Battle and Cocktail Industry Awards on October 18. Hosted by comedian TeeA, the event was attended by a host of celebrities and influencers, including Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Onobello, Elizabeth Isiorho, Taofeek Okoya, Chef Fregz, Scarlet Gomez, Steve Chuks, Nonso Bassey, Asa’ah Samuel, Sharon Ooja, Bollylomo, Denola Grey, Sharon Ojong, Kayla Oniwo, Lydia Lawrence and more.
After a night of battles between mixologists from several of the leading bars and clubs in Lagos, Philip Essang of Nok by Alara came out winner of the Lagos Cocktail Week 2018 “Bar Battle”, winning a cash prize of N200,000.
Winners of the Cocktail Industry Awards and their category Include:
Best Cocktail Bar – R S V P
Best Indigenous Spirit Brand with Global Focus – Grand Oak – Seaman’s Schnapps
Best Hotel Bar – Sky Lounge – Eko Hotel
Mobile Cocktail Bar of the Year – Cocktails In and Out
Best Drink/ Spirit Marketing Campaign – Campari – Make It Red
Speaking on the outstanding success of LCW2018, founder Lara Rawa said, “the 5th edition of the Lagos Cocktail Week is a proof that the Nigerian Cocktail Industry has grown beyond Nigeria and Africa, and is raising industry experts that infuse both indigenous and international knowledge to grow their individual brand as well as the industry as a whole”. She also thanked sponsors, partners and delegates who helped to make the event successful “The official soft drinks sponsor Fayrous, Veleta, Belvedere Vodka, Balmoral, Glenmorangie, WONTRA, Skyy Vodka, American Honey, FilmHouse Cinemas, Monin, Cinematics, Insigna Media and Zapphaire Events for coordinating the event”
