BIU Film Festival: Faculty of Social and Management Science Students, Others, Clinch Top Prizes
By Emeke Precious Nwaoboli
Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City has concluded its inaugural Leadership 300-hour Film Festival, organized in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.
This festival honors the legacy of Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, a prominent figure in African Pentecostalism.
The event commenced on March 12, 2025, with participants divided into sixteen groups, each tasked with producing a film with a duration not exceeding seven minutes.
Over 14 films were produced and screened on Saturday, culminating in the recognition of four outstanding entries. The film "Beyond Bruises" received the Viewers' Choice Award, granting the team a dinner with the festival crew. "Another Chance" was awarded second runner-up, receiving a cash prize of 200,000 naira. "Breaking Free" was named first runner-up and received a cash gift of 300,000 naira, while "Man in Chains" was awarded the grand prize of 500,000 naira.
In addition, films such as "Enemy Within," "Shattered Dreams," "First Daughter Syndrome," and "In Enemy" received honorary mentions for their contributions.
The chief host and convener of the festival, Bishop Feb Idahosa expressed satisfaction with the event's success. He announced plans for a larger and more comprehensive festival scheduled for September 2025. Idahosa emphasized that the festival not only commemorates Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa’s legacy but also aims to enhance students' understanding of film production through theoretical and practical knowledge.
Dr. Ngozi Okeibunor, representing the Head of the Mass Communication Department, Prof. Chamberlain Egbulefu, expressed her appreciation for witnessing the first film festival at the university. She disclosed plans for an in-house film festival by the Mass Communication Department to complement the BIU festival. Okeibunor encouraged all students, particularly those in the Mass Communication Department, to take advantage of opportunities such as the film festival. She stated, “The success of the Film Festival reflects the hard work and vision of this university and the Mass Communication Department. BIU provides significant opportunities for personal and professional development.”
Pereware Igbadiwei, director of the winning film "Man in Chains," commented on her experience at the festival. She expressed happiness upon receiving the award for her film and highlighted her newfound interest in filmmaking. Igbadiwei noted the importance of collaboration with a skilled team of editors and storytellers, which created a conducive environment for film development.
Igbadiwei attributed the success of her team in securing the grand prize to the support of her team lead, Eminator Dominion, a 200-level Nursing Science student, and other team members: Obialor Great Chinedu, a 300-level Accounting student; Osifo Japheth Lawrence, a 200-level Economics Education student; Ayenomoh Winner Alukhei, a 200-level Mass Communication student; Uwandu Glory Benedict, a 200-level Mass Communication student; Paul Olayemi, a 200-level Business Education student; and Peter Takefe, a 300-level Medical Laboratory Science student, all from Benson Idahosa University.
“I am very grateful to all my lecturers in the Department of Mass Communication, especially Miss Francess Nwabufoe, for all the teachings that helped my team emerge as grand winners. I am very happy to be a student of Mass Communication in the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, and I promise to represent the department and faculty in bigger opportunities,” she said.
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