NDU graduate Filmmaker, Priye Diri, emerges overall winner at Africa international film festival (AFRIFF) 2017.

Priye Diri, a graduate of Niger Delta university, who is among the five young people who emerged as winners of The Accelerate Filmmaker Project earlier this year, now known as ‘The Accelerate Five’, has emerged overall winner of the accelerated filmmaker project at the just concluded Africa international film festival (AFRIFF) 2017.

Priye Diri, who wrote, directed and produced the short film, XOXO Leo, won the competition.

Priye Diri will be joining other winners from the AFRIFF trainings, on a scholarship to study filmmaking in one of the leading film schools in France.

Other films shot and produced under the Accelerate Filmmaker Project include Tanwa by Adenike Adebayo, GOODWILL by Mannie Oiseomaye,  PENANCE by Micheal Akinrogunde and BLACK by Joshua Olanrewaju.

The Accelerate Day of the AFRIFF event, held at the Genesis Cinemas at The Palms in Lekki, and was witnessed by over 200 guests.

Joke Silva, Ade Laoye, Seyi Babatope, Ego Boyo, John Njamah, Mildred Okwo, among other professionals in the industry witnessed, as well as family, friends and well-wishers of the finalists.

Project Manager of the Accelerate Filmmaker Project, Lala Akindoju who was the compere at the event, allowed for comments from the guests about each film as they were shown.

Head, Accelerate, Colette Otusheso, who was excited about the success of the event, revealed that the Accelerate Filmmaker Project will hold its second season next year.

She appreciated everyone who partook in the project and thanked all of the Accelerate team members for their immeasurable efforts for the execution of the project especially Accelerate Producer, Bolanle Olosunde.

Responding, Bolanle said “though the execution of the project was tasking, it was highly rewarding.”

Speaking about the project, Nollywood producer, director and actor, John Njamah, said: “I am very proud of what Accelerate is doing; and cannot wait to be a part of subsequent projects, because I am always happy to see young minds do great stuff since I also started very young and it is really amazing.”

Viewers enjoyed the short films and pointed out the brilliance and creativity in each one.