The Wedding Party gathers momentum

A conniving aother-in-law, a jealous ex-girlfriend, and a best man missing in action are just samples of some of the hilarious characters over 1400 attendees met at the soldout world premiere of Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). They took a vow of chastity and are looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.

Peppered with Nigerian jokes and classic double entendres that had the audience in stitches, The Elfike Film Collective’s The Wedding Party opened the Spotlight City to City programme at the Toronto International Film Festival with a star-studded, soldout premiere that brought Africa’s best known names including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W, and Etomi.  Other special guests included Selma’s David Oyeowo and Toronto Raptors President, Masai Urjiri.

“The popularity of Nigerian film has been on a steady incline over the last few years,” comments its executive producer, Mo Abudu.  “More and more global audiences are recognizing the quality of film that comes from the third largest film industry in the world.  It was a true honour to have Nigerian film spotlighted in the festival programme and I am truly thrilled to hear such positive feedback from the TIFF global audience.” 

And positive feedback from the TIFF global audience it was.  The over 1400 guests of the premiere laughed, sang and applauded the film during its air.  Cast members were greeted with thunderous applause during the credits.

Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Adetiba, TWP is an Elfike Film Collective production, a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts. Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses - EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.

“This will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an international film festival of great repute,” adds Abudu.  “TIFF’s selection of The Wedding Party is a true honour. I can’t think of a better place or a better global audience for the film’s festival debut.”

The movie will subsequently get its World Nigerian premiere in Lagos at The Landmark Centre, Lekki, Lagos on the 20th of November, 2016.