CALLWOOD STUDIOS PREMIERES MOVIE BY KINGSLEY AGIM

Callywood Studios, an initiative of Governor Ben Ayade, has premiered its first production, “The Father”, yesterday, amid pomp and flurry. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. (Mrs.) RoseMary Effiom Archibong, who spoke on behalf of the Governor, described Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade’s Callywood initiative as visionary and hailed the experience and efforts of the Director-General of Callywood, Egor Efiok, for “putting in everything to ensure that Callywood stays alive”. Mrs. Archibong expressed delight in the “honest criticiques of the movie by veterans, adding that all objective comments and critiques will be used to improve on subsequent productions. According to her, “the Governor is extremely pleased not just to see these very distinguished personalities from Nollywood in Calabar, but also that you responded to the invitation to help us grow this industry, because we depend on your inputs to ensure that Callywood becomes one of the internationally acclaimed studios”. The Information boss, who labeled the Callywood efforts as “a beautiful first time experience”, also appreciated the lead actor, Michael Okon and other casts in the movie, asserting that Callywood will utilize the wealth of talents that abound in Cross River State. Mrs. Archibong further enjoined guests to leave with the memories of the hospitable, peaceful and serene nature of Cross River State and also used the event to invite everybody to come and witness the panache and mirthfulness that encapsulate the Calabar Carnival, come December. Articulating her views, the Director-General of Callywood, Egor Efiok, expressed joy in the critiques received, stating that such important remarks underscored her invitation of veterans for the movie premiere. The Director-General further harped on the State’s tourism propensity, revealing that Callywood will aid market the State’s tourism drive in a global scale. In his remarks, the President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Mr. Ralph Uwadike commended the effort of the production team for the beautiful job, in spite of the fact that most of the talents used in the movie were new entrants in the movie industry, noting that Callywood has started on a good footing. Describing the work as a beautiful movie, the AMPN President lauded the techniques of calmness and suspense employed in the film, adding that the movie can go to festivals anywhere in the world. According to Mr. Uwadike, the issues of technicality evident in the film are not different from what the other big movie firms go through. He assured that those issues will definitely be cleaned up. The star-studded event had in attendance notable veterans like Charles Novia, Patrick Doyle, Keppy Ekpenyong, Shan George, among others. Also in attendance was the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. (Mrs.) RoseMary Effiom Archibong; Commissioner for ICT Development, Chief Aya Offu Ebirigor; Commissioner for New Cities Development, Barr. George Ekpungu, Commissioner for Gas Resources, Barr. Chris Njar; Commissioner for Climate Change, Dr. Alice Olom Eku. Others were Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. George O’Ben Etchi; Commissioner for Health, Inyang Asibong; Commissioner for Social Housing, Mr. Effiom Okokon Edem, Special Advisers and other political appointees. Highpoints of the event featured preview of the movie “The Father”, musical rendition by Design of Alterplate Records and other indigenous acts.