First Stars is a competitive reality show where young Nigerian filmmakers battle it out, under the mentorship of Nollywood’s best, to see who gets the converted opportunity to produce their very own feature film! The 6 part series is made possible by FirstBankNigeria who is committed to promoting the creative arts industry. First Stars will premier on EbonyLife TV DStv165, Africa’s premiem entertinament channel, on Wednesday the 20th of July at 21:00 Central African Time.
It should be everyone’s responsibility to leave a legacy whereby a country’s youth is uplifted, and it is this that strikes a chord in the hearts of FirstBank and EbonyLife TV. Under FBN’s First@arts strategic initiative, First@arts fosters arts and preserves cultural heritage, and in partnership with EbonyLife TV will produce ‘FirstStars’, a reality TV show and a feature length movie. ‘FirstStars’, is designed to recognize and support the discovery and management of talented Nigerian youth in the film industry.
The highly engaging series is hosted by Zainab Balogun and Tosin Odunfa and features EbonyLife TV CEO Mo Abudu, Award winning director Walt Banger, FBN executives, Producers Tolu Ajayi and Tosin Otudeko, renowned architect Theo Lawson and Nigerian Actors Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Iretiola Doyle and Deyemi Okanlawon who will guide and mentor the participants through a series of exciting creative challenges as well as a string of tense and teary eliminations. Ultimately the show will identify the brightest talent in five categories: Director, Producer, Art Director, Script Writer and Actor.
The winners will receive a cash prize and funding to produce their very own feature film, which will be screened at theatres across Nigeria. And who knows… for the lucky few that crack the judges nod, perhaps this could be their first stepping stone to being Africa’s future Oscar winners.