The Ezekiel Gomos Short Film Fund an initiative by Mr. Dimbo Atiya has honored two winners of a filmmaker’s entry competition with N1 million soft funding in honor of the CEO of Jos Business School, Nde Ezekiel Gomos.
Winners of the one-page pitch and synopsis competition Rubiya Sadig and Twamsen Danaan were granted N500,000 each at a press briefing on Thursday 16 February at the Jos Business School Miri Drive Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
Winners of the one-page pitch and synopsis competition Rubiya Sadig and Twamsen Danaan were granted N500,000 each at a press briefing on Thursday 16 February at the Jos Business School Miri Drive Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
Mr. Dimbo Atiya stated that the film fund is to give back to society and to encourage young filmmakers who are very talented but lack the funds to get their dreams started.
“Years ago as a young dreamer, Mr. Eziekel Gomos funded my small business venture which I am grateful for. Recently I was honored by the Jos Business School headed by Mr. Gomos. His wealth of knowledge has also made me a better person in society.
“As a way of giving back to the society I have tried to extend opportunities to poeple in Plateau. For the last four years 70% of the crew members in the films I produced are from plateau.
According to Mr. Dimbo, film production is one of the most challenging industries to be when it comes to funding.
“Nolltwood has not have the priviledge of working into a bank to request a loan to make a movie or meet investors, it takes some kind of grace to get investors especially considering how expensive film making can be.
“It is in light of this an entry submission of a one-page pitch and synopsis with the theme: “Zero to Hundred” was open to short filmmakers within Jos.“
“The two winners will be granted N500,000 each and mentored through the process of scripting, budgeting, production and marketing of 15 minutes short film starting with thire entry project.”
“Our target is to have plateau film makers at film festivals and other international stages”
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of Jos Business School and former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Nde Ezekiel Gomos staved that the honor given to the two winners will stand as a legacy that will open doors for others which means more to him than an award.
“For a single movie produced in Nigeria today, it employs a minimum of 100 people and up to 500 people. The Film Industry is something that we in Jos Business School (JBS) think is important to pay attention to hence this initiative”
“As Dimbo rightly said its not just about funding a project but mentoring the winners in every process of film making to inable them to become independent and be able to help others and provide more jobs in the long run”
To further support the program Mr. Nde promised to fund three persons from any area of film production in the internship program founded by Mr. Dimbo.
Dimbo Atiya is a Plateau-Born Graduate of the prestigious New York Film Academy USA, the Founder of the “Justified Movement”, an award-winning Film/Television Director and Producer with highly rated production credits like: Sons of the Caliphate, Halita, the Rishantes, Nawa Nawa, Drawing Strength and Still Falling.
The engagement had in attendance Nde Ezekiel Gomos, Mr. Dimbo Atiya, the winners of the competition and their families, Members of the press, and the Ezekiel Gomos Short Film Fund team.
