In a bid to get some money, an arranged marriage is set up by her father, and the bride would be one of her sisters, Chioma. Ifeoma as the eldest tries to take the place of her sister and succeeds but then flees with her sisters to Lagos after the suitor tries to rape her.

Her hustling soon pays off and she sets up her restaurant “Eastern Delight”. In comes Chuma Obi, the rich guy and the romantic journey begins interwound with twists and turns and tear-jerking scenes that makes it a good read…

Brenda Jackson (Karen Simpson) has a dream of becoming a star and marries a powerful man, Steve Reeds (Martin Lindquist) who promises to introduce her to people in the music biz. However, he abuses her even though he runs a foundation that protects abused women. Surprisingly, he asks her to sing at a fundraiser for his new foundation.

She meets Bayo Franklyn, (Nosa Obaseki) a Nigerian Immigrant who is a music producer there, and receives his card. When Brenda stumbles into Reeds having an affair with Amanda Brook (Cai Gallant)she escapes. She starts a new life and reconnects with Bayo who gets her a record deal. Brenda’s song becomes a hit. The elated couple begins to make wedding plans…but Reeds has one more secret in his arsenal that he wants to launch to shatter their happiness…

The Cast includes Nosa Obaseki who’s based in Canada, Karen Simpson, and Martin Lindquist among others.

Saving Dreams will be released in cinemas across Nigeria on 20th of January 2017.

The short film says it all…

Femi Adisa’s epic movie “King Invincible” has been slated to premiere on January 6th 2017. The movie stars Gabriel Afolayan, Tope Tedela, Omowunmi Dada, Mike Adbul, Toyin Alausa, Bimbo Manuel and Segun Dada.

It tells the story of a handsome warlord, who is fast transitioning into a wolf due to the curse of the dogs placed on him.

Oh…can’t wait to see the special make up effects where he transitioned into a dog…hmm…

Three finalists were shortlisted for the prestigious prize; Elnathan John (author of Born On A Tuesday); Chika Unigwe, (author of Night Dancer), and Mr. Ibrahim. They survived the cut from the long list of 173 authors who entered for the competition.

Past winners of the prize include;
Gabriel Okara’s – The Dreamer, His Vision (co-winner of the 2005 prize, awarded in poetry)

Ezenwa Ohaeto – (co-winner in 2005 for poetry)- Chants of a Minstrel

Ahmed Yerima (2006, drama) for Hard Ground

Mabel Segun (co-winner in 2007, awarded for children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre

Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner in 2007, children’s literature) – My Cousin Sammy

Kaine Agary (in 2008, prose) – Yellow Yellow

Esiaba Irobi (2010, for drama), won the prize posthumously – Cemetery Road

Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with The Missing Clock

Chika Unigwe (2012, prose) – On Black Sisters’ Street

Tade Ipadeola (2013, for poetry) – The Sahara Testaments

Sam Ukala (2014, drama) – Iredi War

Next year’s prize would be awarded for the poetry genre…so if you’re a poet…get cracking and have it published this year…

ANA PROSE FICTION PRIZE

Avenger of Blood By Franklin Finecountry

On the Bank of the River By Ifeoluwapo Adeniyi

Prodigals in Paradise By Henry Akubuiro

Odufa: A Lovers’ Tale By Othuke Ominiabohs

ANA DRAMA PRIZE

Kosoko King of Eko By Fela Omoyele

Sacking the Porter By Olatunde Bolaji

Fated Rift By R.C. Ofodile

ANA POETRY PRIZE

Thunder Protocol By Obari Gomba

Kontradiction By Saddiq Dzukogi

The Birth of Illusion By Jumoke Verissimo

ANA/ ABUBAKAR GIMBA PRIZE FOR SHORT STORIES

River People and Other Stories By Peter Ukwa

Midnight Cry By Paul Ugah

From Sin to Splendour By R. C. Ofodile

The ANA / Ngozi Chuma Udeh Prize for Children’s Literature

The Quest for the Gem of Arubia By Augusta Mmakamba Okon

Sunny and the Arodan By Ozimede Sunny Ekhaalume

Water-Carrier Millionaire By Philip Begho.

ANA/ MAZARRIYA TEEN AUTHOR POETRY PRIZE

Not Awarded(reasons to be given later)

ANA/NECO TEEN AUTHOR PROSE PRIZE

Not Awarded(reasons to be given later)

ANA/MARIA AJIMA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM

“The Film Script, Nollywood and Cultural Diplomacy: Criticism of Artist’s Knowledge of the Film Story.” by Nwagbo Pat Obi (for Honorable Mention only)

ANA PANEL OF JUDGES

1. Prof Nelson Fashina-University of Ibadan

2. Mallam Salihu Mohammed Bappa- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

3. Ismaila Bala Garba- Bayero University,Kano

4. Dr Owojecho Omoha- University of Abuja

5. Mrs Joan Oji- Educational Resource Centre, Abuja

Winners of the various prizes will be announced at the Awards dinner of the 35th Anniversary International Convention of the Association holding on Saturday the 29th of October,2016 in Abuja.

In reality, Uju is in a relationship with an Internet con-man Osazie, who ploughs his trade in online romantic scams where he cons women for money. Who will Uju go with in this crazy love triangle…she must make a choice or have her heart torn in pieces…

The movie was directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka and stars Kenneth Okonkwo, Lilian Esoro, Alexx Ekubo, Lilian Esoro, Bobby Michaels, Anthony Monjaro and ace comedian Bovi Ugboma.

Whao! It certainly is worth watching. 4-1-love is showing in cinemas across Nigeria. What are you awaiting for?… head out and watch it. Be ready to laugh and laugh…. a refreshing movie for your soul.

O.C Ukeje, Adesua Etomi and Beverly Naya star in the new flick ‘The Arbitration’ slated to hit cinemas on August 12th 2016. Written by Chinaza Onuzo (The Department, Out of luck) the film tells the story of Gbenga (O.C Ukeje) who has an affair with his employee Dara (Adesua Etomi). Fast forward – post affair, Dara leaves the company and sues her ex-lover on the count of rape. An Arbitration panel is constituted to unveil the truth. It was directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.

Out of 155 submissions, thirteen novels made the cut selected by a panel of five judges;
“The school days of Jesus by two time Man Booker prize winner – JM Coetzee
“Hot Milk” – Deborah Levy
“The Sellout” – Paul Beatty
“Serious Sweet” – A.L. Kennedy
“My Name is Lucy Barton” – Elizabeth Strout (novel has become a New York Times bestseller)

There are also four debut novels:
“The Many” – Wyl Menmuir,
“Eileen- Ottessa Moshfegh,
“Work Like Any Other”- Virginia Reeves
“Hystopia – David Means”

Other authors are Graeme Macrae Burnet, Ian McGuire, David Szalay and Madeline Thien.

Surprisingly, previous winners and nominees who were picked as potential candidates to be long listed did not make the cut. Eleven of the thirteen writers have never been on the list before. The shortlist will be announced on 13th September, and the winner declared on October 25th 2016.

Hmm… who do you think will win?

Kunle’s films have always done well at the box office and it is expected that his latest work will make the top three highest grossing box office films in 2016…what do you think?