Nollywood legend and multiple award winning filmmaker, Ambassador Lancelot Oduwarene Imasuen, who is popularly known as D’Guvnor of Nollywood, will on the 20th of June, 2021, clock 50.
In celebration of this epoch accomplishment, a month long string of tremendous and pivotal events have been lined to take place in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, his place of birth and in Abuja, the Federal Capital City, as part of this peculiar celebration.
Now armed with other notable icons, colleagues, friends, families and those he has groomed, the event planning has been in top gear with numerous activities lined up.
These activities include;
A Filmmakers’ challenge, tagged; ”THE STATE OF THE NATION”, of which submissions have already begun and would end on the 20th of May, 2021. The winners of this competition, would be announced and awarded on Tuesday, the 1st of June, 2021, during The Film Directing Masterclass at Kada Cinema And Entertainment Centre, Sapele road, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. This event is sponsored by THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY.
Following suit is a Free Film directing masterclass which was birthed from the collaboration between THE DIRECTORS’ GUILD OF NIGERIA (EDO STATE CHAPTER) and THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY. It would be taking place on Tuesday, the 1st of June, 2021, by 10am, at The Kada Cinema And Entertainment Centre, Sapele road, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.
Subsequently, there would be a One week festival of Lancelot’s films, courtesy of THE MANAGEMENT OF KADA CINEMA AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. The festival would kick off on Friday, the 4th of June, 2021, and carry-on till Friday, the 11th of June, 2021, by 12pm – 2pm and 4pm – 6pm daily, at Kada Cinema And Entertainment Centre, Sapele road, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.
Afterwards, there would be a Comedy night, themed; “LAUGHING WITH LANCELOT”, courtesy of Mc Casino and Mc Edopikin. The event would hold at Rehab bar on Friday, the 4th of June, 2021, by 6pm. This event is proudly sponsored by THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY in conjunction with REHAB BAR.
Next off, is the World premiere of the movie; “WEDE”, which would be taking place on Sunday, the 6th of June, 2021, at Citadel cinema, Uromi, Edo state, Nigeria, by 4pm . This event is proudly sponsored by THE MANAGEMENT OF CITADEL CINEMA and THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY.
Then, there would be a visit to the orphanage(s) in Benin city, Edo state on Wednesday, the 9th of June, 2021.
Coming next, is a poetic performance, also known as the Season of words, which has been badged; “JAKPA?”, which would take place on Friday, the 11th of June, 2021, at The National Orientation Agency Hall, along Boundary road, GRA, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria, by 1pm. This event is powered by THE BENIN POETRY KLUB in conjunction with THE BENIN WRITERS’ SOCIETY.
There would also be a Novelty match; “Actors and film-makers” versus “musicians and comedians”, which would take place on Saturday, the 12th of June, 2021, at Vuvuzuela stadium, along airport road, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.
Afterwards, the World premiere of the Edo indigenous movie; “E’FENDRAL MAN”, would be taking place on Sunday, the 13th of June, 2021, at The National Orientation Agency Hall, along Boundary road, GRA, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria, by 4pm. This event is supported by THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY.
Next is a Cultural night, which would take place on Wednesday, the 16th of June, 2021, at Surprise pub and café, 4A, Federal Avenue off Boundary road, GRA, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria, by 6pm. This event is powered by SURPRISE PUB AND CAFÉ in conjunction with THE BENIN FILM ACADEMY.
Following suit is a Colloquium, which would take place on Thursday, the 17th of June, 2021 at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, Nigeria, by 10am. This event is powered by THE MANAGEMENT OF IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY, OKADA.
D’Guv’s birthday thanksgiving and reception with family and friends would take place on Sunday, the 20th of June, 2021, at his resident city, Abuja, Nigeria. This is powered by D’Guv’s wife, Mrs Aimuamwonsa Lancelot Imasuen.
Amb. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen says that these events, especially, The Film Directing Masterclass and The Orphanage visit are the most endeared to him as he states; “I wouldn’t have gotten to the level at which I am presently, if it weren’t for my Almighty creator and the society at large which has continually supported my art and craft for over 25 years and undoubtedly stood up for me… Therefore, this is my own little way of giving back to the society”.
Preparations for these activities have been on the apogee and one can already tell that D’GUV’s 50th birthday commemoration would be one that would leave a mark on the sands of time.
