Nomination of movie “Ifediche” by AMVCA has vindicated me- Actor Ene
The Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Enugu State Chapter, Brown Ene says nomination of the movie “Ifediche” for 2023 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) has vindicated him from embezzlement allegations.
Ene said he was wrongly accused of embezzling the money given to the organisation to produce the movie aimed at marketing Enugu State to the globe.
He said this in an interview with the newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu.
“Sometime in November 2022, there were a lot of petitions by aggrieved members of the AGN claiming I have squandered the money meant for “Ifediche”.
“Upon receiving the petitions, the national body set up a five-man panel to investigate the matter and I was suspended pending the resolution of the panel.
“When the panel realised the truth, I was recalled back to office as Enugu AGN chairman.
“The movie generated a lot of issues; I am happy that the same film they accused me of stealing the money was nominated by AMVCA as the best Indigenous Movie (Igbo) award.
“The award has vindicated me,” Ene said.
He said that the outcome had proved that they were not embezzlers but passionate about the work.
The AGN chairman called on aggrieved members to support him to move the union forward rather than seeking their personal interest.
Ene commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for making the fund available for the project, adding that they still needed more funds to premier the movie.
“We are appealing to Enugu State government to help us showcase this movie to the world and this can only happen when we do world premier and send the film to cinemas for theatrical releases.
“What we have done is equal to the contents in either Netflix or Amazon and we are confident of releasing “Ifediche” in them,” he said.
According to Ene, going to cinemas requires about N7million to N15 million as a lot of publication and promotion are involved.
“We cannot afford it as an organization.
“We are finding it difficult to release the movie because releasing a very beautiful movie in a local market won’t complement what we have done for Enugu people.
“We are therefore calling on Enugu government, members of the public and corporate organisations to support us in making our effort and dream come through,” he said.
