Following the face behind Pearls On The Scene, the most busy week this year, 2024, was had. But the one that stood out was WIFFEN. So, the biennial event of WIFFEN was a 4 day creative engagement that aimed to connect global key players in the film production scene. WIFFEN is an acronym for Women International Film Festival Nigeria. It is an event that promotes and celebrates women in the film industry from major roles to minor roles. This year’s call for film submissions received over 4500 submissions from about 140 countries, and female filmmakers in 17 award categories were awarded at the awards ceremony.

DAY ONE OUTFIT:

The first day, I went with a color palette of brown and mustard. Wearing a floral long silk top and fitted hipster mustard pants. Paired with braided woolen bag for a complete look and a beige open heel shoe. I like the outfit because it was simple and comfortable for a panel discussion session and some backstage interview.

At the event, I had the opportunity to speak with Caroline Seaman, the Festival Director of WIFFEN. We had a chat, and she mentions that the goal of WIFFEN is to be a platform to encourage women in the film industry.

“It is a platform to connect, network, explore collaborations access industry actors and influencers as well as to explore opportunities and to create change within the film making landscape in Nigeria. WIFFEN celebrate female filmmakers around the world because women film makers have to work twice as hard sometimes 10 times as hard and rarely get recognized. So, creating a platform that focuses on women not only closes the gap but creates level of inspiration and mentorship”.

WIFFEN event involves film screening from Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and Oceania, workshops, interactive sessions, and networking. Some films screened were movies like award winning Sara, Pink Glasses, My Mama Na Ashawo, The Bride, Las Olas and more. The criteria for choosing films are unapologetically biased to women as Caroline mentioned. She further mentioned the criteria of nominating movies;

“film has to be directed, written or produced by a woman. And we except nothing less than 60% of your film crew and cast being women. The goal is to inspire more women in those technical aspects of film making”.

My personal favorite was Tinted glasses from Mexico and The Bride, produced by Hawa Gafousog from Mali. The Bride was nominated for Best Short Story. It looked at a bride on her wedding day, whose husband was impotent, but alas, his mother and brother had some scheming up their sleeves. I liked the turn of events and that it showed a resilience of the Bride to show them who is boss. I wish the film was longer. I see why it was nominated for short story. Congratulations Hawa 🎊

DAY 3 ENSEMBLE

I have had this outfit for more than 5 years, but it feels like I just picked it up 2 weeks ago from a fashion house. This is what happens when you don’t follow a trend and keep to your style which P.O.T.S is all about. This is a 2 piece is from Viandi Vogue fashion house and was sewn by her personally at different times with me designing the outer robe with a touch of lace. It was the perfect outfit for the multiple events i had covered that day (the week was filled with events). It is an outfit classified under the triple C; Chic, Comfortable, and Classy.

The Wiffen event was a memorable international event with attendance from A-listers, streaming giants, production companies, marketers and film distributors, diplomats, actors, and film enthusiasts. Speaking with the Mexican ambassador to Nigeria H.E Alfredo Miranda Ortiz, in attendance, he sweetly mentions being receptive to help promote women in media through collaborations.

“I have had the opportunity to watch 3 different productions. I congratulate Wiffen to do this kind of event. It’s important not just for Nigerian women but for Mexican women to know their problems have been seen in other countries”

As to how the Mexican embassy can help in promoting women in film in Nigeria, H.E Alfredo says,

“Mexican embassy in Nigeria is open to evaluate to talk about any kind of initiative in order to see how we can reinforce what Nigerian government is doing. How we can go together in a process though a long process, we are ready to talk. We are more than glad to see those producers that requires support and see what we can do together”

DAY 2 OUTFIT.

On this day, I attended 4 events. It coincided with a world poetry day event PUSHIN PEE. Along other events. I had a jacket on this gown earlier in the day to distinguish professionalism and my pleasurable hours.

The awards night was very Oscarisque. Like caroline said, it was inspired by the oscars. Some of the awards won from different counties were, Short best documentary titled A stone crushers song from Nigerian, The night express with Best costume design from Ukrain, First Move with Best sound design from Slovenia, Black magic for best short film from Spain, and more.
Ambassador to Spain Mr Juan Ignacio on stage congratulated Caroline Seaman.
“Congratulations Caroline and Wiffen, we were here two years ago and we are very much pleased to be back again and to show gratitude in all that you do to showcase all that talent in female film making in Nigeria and beyond. Mucha Gracias“.

AWARD CULTURAL DAY.

This outfit was inspired by the west African popular getzner. A shiny material with a bit of stiffness. Paired with a shiny green Amina Muaddi high mules and simple accessory of vintage earrings from pearls on tha scene off IG. I was quite mistaken a couple of times for a Rwandan and a Sierra Leonen but uts okay because Africa is Africa.

It was wrapped with a vote of thanks by Pamela Lar from the film institute Jos and Bhinwan Gazuwa a film maker.

More about Wiffen visit http://www.wiffen.global

Cheers to the good life🥂