Coal City Film Festival celebrates the originality of African and world cinematic expressions in the city that arguably gave birth to the Nigeria Film Industry otherwise known as Nollywood. Enugu State Nigeria has played integral role in hosting early filmmakers and provided locations in the beginning days of the largest film industry in Africa and has continued to do so; what other way to pay the state back, than assembling filmmakers from all over the world annually to this tourist city with so much historical and archaeological significance to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
The Festival founded by African Avant-garde filmmaker, Uche Agbo, is an Okike Media initiative with the goal of serving as the gateway to the heart of tourist potentials of South East Nigeria.
CCFF as the festival is fondly called is proud to provide activities that foster an appreciation of the art of film as well as educate International, local and regional filmmakers, students of film, the broader arts community, and the general public. It’s an opportunity for independent filmmakers and the art community at large to celebrate the beauty of the art of cinema.
The maiden edition was billed to take place in March 2020 before the terrible COVID-19 pandemic that broke out across the world. It has then been moved to a later date in the year 2020
The festival has two categories - competitive and non-competitive. The jury will decide which category all submitted films fall into. Some awards will have prizes while some will have special mentions. These are the categories:
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Short Film
Best Student/Experimental Film
Best Nigerian Film
Best Director
Best Screenwriter
Best Leading Actor (Male & Female)
Best sub-Leading category (male and female)
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Lighting Design
Best Sound Design
Best Art Direction