Nollywood diva, Rita Dominic and
Hollywood Actress, Lynn Whitfield have been announced as the Goodwill
ambassadors for the Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, holding in
Tinapa, Calabar between the 10th and 16th of November.
Announcing the appointment during
the week, the Executive Director and Founder of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude
said, “Rita Dominic is a consummate actress and indeed an African screen icon,
having won several awards and nominations throughout her career, most recently
she became Africa’s Best Actress by winning The 2012 Africa Movies Academy
Award (AMAA) for her role in the Kenyan film Shattered. She also has won The
Nollywood Movies Award, The Nigeria Entertainment Award and City People’s Face
of Nollywood Award. With over one hundred films to her credit, she has played a
pivotal role in showcasing Nigerian cinema popularly known as Nollywood.”
*Rita
She further disclosed that it was
not a difficult decision to make considering Rita’s accomplishments in the
industry and the fact that she has been a regular face at, and contributor to
the AFRIFF dream from its inaugural edition.
As for the Emmy Award winning
Hollywood actress, Lynn Whitfield, Chioma said, “Lynn is a natural choice as
AFRIFF Goodwill Ambassador not just for her accomplishments in Hollywood, but
also because of her passionate support for the AFRIFF project since its
inception.” Whitfield began her acting career in television and theatre, before
progressing to supporting roles in film.
In her response Rita said, “I love
that AFRIFF’s focus is youth empowerment and opening doors for the development
of the African film industry which is my primary constituency. I am delighted
to have been appointed an AFRIFF Goodwill Ambassador. It’s an organization that
I cherish and respect and I look forward to working with stakeholders in the
industry, the government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations
and social enterprises to see how we can ensure that this fantastic festival
achieves its objectives and full potential.”
