By Joseph Joy

In a remarkable show of talent and creativity, 45 students from the Mass Communication department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) participated in the 4th East Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC).

The conference, initiated in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, unfolded with an engaging series of events beginning on November 21. ESUT students actively joined on November 22, marking an enriching experience for all attendees.

Insights from key Speakers:

Chige Alice (Mrs) commenced the day by delving into the four elemental aspects of acting: water, air, fire and earth. She emphasized the significance of enrolling in programme classes, observing performances on social media or television, practising speech, choosing comfortable attire, and understanding the purpose behind acting.

The celebration of Chige Alice’s birthday added a festive touch to the proceedings, courtesy of ENIFF.

Mr. Agozie Ugwu took the stage to discuss character development, highlighting the process of creating complex, believable and dynamic characters that evolve throughout a story. He distinguished between flat characters lacking depth, and round characters, possessing dimension.

On Her part, the founder of ENIFF, Mrs. Ujuaku Nwakalor Akukwe explored the theme of creating social impact through art, culture and storytelling. She underscored the role of filmmaking in communication building, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional connection. During her session, a thought-provoking short movie showcased a social media influencer’s journey from living a fake life to promoting authenticity.

Engaging Activities:

Participants actively engaged in group discussions on mental health, generating stories that promoted awareness and action related to the crucial topic. The day concluded with the much-anticipated ‘item 7,’ leaving everyone in high spirits.

The presence of notable Nollywood actors and actresses added star power to the conference, making it an unforgettable day. Interviews with participants provided additional insights into the impactful programs offered at ENIFF.

ESUT’s strong representation and active participation underscored the university’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a dynamic learning environment.

As the 2023 ENIFF Festival climaxes on Saturday, it is hoped that apart from studying to become professionals in journalism, the EAST attendees could also feature in not-so-a-distance movie as the organisers expressed optimism on the potentials exhibited by the students stressing that if properly guide, some of the students could become super actors/actresses, directors, cinematographers, among others.  

Jonathan Naomi Somtochukwu, a 400 level student from Mass Communication, ESUT was the cynosure of all eyes as she produced a two-minute-forty-two second video report of the festival on Thursday.