Enjoy film screenings, masterclasses, conversations with filmmakers, and artist talks as we highlight the art of Nollywood, engage with African creativity and expression, and engage the global African diaspora. Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions Iké Udé: Portraits of Nollywood and Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio.
Highlight of the week
A historic Last Look at the museum’s Benin bronzes that will be on display through October 11 at which time they will be officially returned to their original, rightful home in Nigeria.
September 28, 2022
Living in Bondage
12–1 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Okey Ogunjiofor (producer/writer), and Muhyi Ali (moderator) discuss Living in Bondage (1992) and how it sparked the beginnings of Nollywood. Excerpts of the film will be used as points of reference. We encourage you to watch the full film Living in Bondage on YouTube before joining the conversation.
Seeing Ourselves: African Beauty, Identity, and Representation
6–7 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Join visionary leaders transforming the imagery of African art, photography, and film as they explore the nuances of representation. This robust conversation considers the importance of representing African identity through art.
Panelists (L – R)
- Ngaire Blankenberg (moderator), director, National Museum of African Art
- Iké Udé, multimedia artist
- Yolanda Okereke, costume designer and stylist
- Mimi Bartels, executive producer, Obara’m and head of production, Filmone
Obara’m Opening Night Film Screening
8–10:30 p.m.
Skylight Gallery
After her estranged father’s death, Oluchi—an up-and-coming musician—is forced to confront her true self and her past mistakes. She reconnects with her daughter, who she abandoned at a young age, through their love of music. However, echoes from the past, greed, and bad decisions spring from every corner, threatening to bring them down. Kayode Kasum, director; Mimi Bartels, executive producer
Mimi Bartels
September 29, 2022
Short Film Screening + Conversation
1–3 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Join emerging filmmakers Akinola Davies, Boma Iluma, Orire Nwani, and The Critics in conversation after viewing four short films. Moderated by Muhyi Ali.
Akinola Davies
Boma Iluma
Orire Nwani
The Critics Company
Post-screening conversation
Naked Woman
A single mother’s mistrust and projection of her life mistakes on her daughter culminate in a powerful confrontation that could create an irreparable rift between them. Directed by Orire Nwani.
Ogun Óla: War Is Coming
Óla, a brash teenager who discovers he is the reincarnation of a demigod, spirals into destiny unprepared for the events that come as a result of this discovery. Directed by The Critics Company.
Comfort
After an ICE raid, a Nigerian immigrant father must tell his son why his mother is not coming home. Directed by Boma Iluma.
Lizard
An 8-year-old girl with an ability to sense danger gets ejected from Sunday school service. She unwittingly witnesses the underbelly in and around a Mega Church in Lagos. Directed by Akinola Davies.
Taiwo Ajai-Lycett
Masterclass with Nollywood Actress Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Lecture Hall, sublevel 2
Actress Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett leads a masterclass that examines the techniques and art form of performance, the power of imagination, unity of mind and body, and provides guidance on how to be a conduit to the audience. Ajai-Lycett uses examples from her work as a basis for discussing best practices in acting as attendees practice technique and gain insight from an expert in the field.
Here Love Lies Film Screening + Conversation
7–9:30 p.m.
Sublevel 1
A romantic psychological thriller, Here Love Lies follows single parent and travel blogger Amanda in the pursuit of “love and forever.” Her journey from Lagos to New York to meet Michael, her American cyber beau, for the first time opens up more doors than anticipated. Join actress and director Tope Oshin in conversation after the screening.
Tope Oshin
September 30, 2022
Yolanda Okereke
Masterclass with Costume Designer and Stylist Yolanda Okereke
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lecture Hall, sublevel 2
Costume designer and stylist Yolanda Okereke shares her vast knowledge of techniques vital to costume designing for film, styling, and fashion designing. Masterclass attendees will learn about interfacing costume design with production design and the process of turning actors into characters.
Black Mail Film Screening + Conversation
12:30–3 p.m.
Skylight Gallery
Based on real life events and as a poignant allegory for the present, Black Mail centers on an actor and family man whose internet history is used against him by Russian criminals in a game of cyber cat and mouse that takes everyone to the edge of destruction. Screening followed by a conversation with director Obi Emelonye and actor O.C. Ukeje; moderated by Torell Shavone.
Obi Emelonye
O.C. Ukeje
Global Africa & Nollywood Conversation
4–5 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Join trailblazing women revolutionizing the industry for a compelling conversation about the global impact of Nigerian film industry on art and stories of Nollywood.
Panelists (L – R)
- Tope Oshin, director of Here Love Lies
- Chioma Ude, entrepreneur and executive director of AFRIFF
- Ngaire Blankenberg, director, National Museum of African Art
- Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, renowned Nollywood actress
Nollywood in Focus Film Screening + Conversation
5:30–7 p.m.
Lecture Hall, sublevel 2
Nollywood in Focus is an intriguing portrait of Nigeria’s burgeoning film industry, which has emerged into prominence as the second largest producer of film content globally. Directed by renowned photographer and artist Iké Udé, over 40 Nollywood personalities—from established actors and directors to emerging stars—share their views on the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian film industry. The film is a celebration of an industry that has, against all odds. gained global recognition as an independent, self-sustaining film industry run by Africans for Africans. Followed by a conversation with the filmmakers, Iké Udé and Osahon Akpata.
October 1, 2022
Community Day
Curator’s tour
Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Skylight Gallery (sublevel 1)
Curator’s tour
Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio
4–5 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Family Photo Portrait Shoot
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sublevel 1
Sessions with Tunji Studios DC
Channel your inner diva. Bring your best outfits, some props and pull it all together with the help of our on-site stylists ready to capture your best poses in a designed set.
Opening reception
Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio
12–1:30 p.m.
Join us for the opening reception for our new exhibition Before Nollywood: The Ideal Portrait Studio featuring the studio portraits (1950s–60s) of Solomon Osagie Alonge, Benin City. Dance performance sponsored by Edo Association of DC.
Solomon Osagie Alonge
Curator’s tour
Last Look: Royal Arts of the Kingdom of Benin
3–4 p.m.
Exhibition Gallery, sublevel 2
Eme & Heteru & The Cavemen
+234 Connect Concert
7–11 p.m.
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Come enjoy the lively beats of the African diaspora and dance the night away! Eme & Heteru & The Cavemen playing contemporary African hits. Food trucks will be present on Independence Ave for the entirety of the concert.
Featuring
- Eme & Heteru
- The Caveman
- Afrochique dance team
- Julius Agwu
Food trucks! Gele Headwrapping workshops!
October 2, 2022
Invasion 1897 Film Screening
2–4 p.m.
Skylight Gallery
Igie Ehanire is a research student who becomes more perturbed as he learns about the injustice of the British invasion of Benin. The film re-enacts the historical events that culminated in the February 1897 invasion, destruction, and looting of the ancient West African kingdom of Benin, and the deposition and exile of its once powerful king. Directed by Lancelot Imasuen.
Lancelot Imasuen
Restitution and the Benin Bronzes Conversation
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Skylight Gallery
Join thought leaders as they discuss the evolution of restitution and the Benin bronzes.
Panelists (L – R)
- Ngaire Blankenberg, director, National Museum of African Art
- Abba Isa Tijani, director general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments
- Lancelot Imasuen, director of Invasion 1897
- Victor Ehikhamenor, multimedia artist, photographer and writer
