Yinka Olatunbosun
Unassuming, Precious Odumor could easily keep the conversation minimal but that was not allowed. After exchanging pleasantries briefly in the virtual room, his initiative, International Arts Film Festival (IAFF) became the centre of the chat.
Odumor is an award-winning festival director based in the UK with five years’ experience curating, organising, and managing film festivals. His knack for promoting independent cinema, nurturing emerging talents, and creating engaging cinematic experiences for diverse audiences put in a good stead for creating a platform to showcase films.
Skilled in selecting films, building industry connections, and managing events to create seamless and memorable festivals, have a career in showbiz started with organising events such as the Spectacular Award Show, and working as coordinator of the “Chill with a Star” talent show which held in Abraka, Delta State. In late 2017, he launched a media outfit known as PhreshMedia which became a well-known name across various parts of Nigeria. Through Phreshmedia, he provided media services, facilitated equipment rentals, provided event coverage and offered studio space for film making and media productions.
In 2019, he pursued his passion in filmmaking and set out to share untold African stories, which led to the creation of the “International Art Film Festival (IAFF),” which is held annually in the United Kingdom. Till date, the International Arts Film festival (IAFF) has featured over 500+ films. His talent for blending storytelling with global cinematic trends has made him a key player in the international film scene. He has mentored emerging filmmakers and continues to create programmes that promote artistic excellence. While reflecting on the rationale for establishing IAFF, he said: “It is my love for storytelling, basically, and trying to help filmmakers, because most of them don’t have the platform to really put out their films.”
A prolific film curator, he has successfully curated award-winning films from film makers in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, United States, Cameroon, China, Canada, South Africa including 15 other countries.
He has also worked with renowned international film makers, actors, producers and directors who play a key role in the festival ensuring its success and ultimately making sure that awarded nominees are true and deserving. Some of his associates include Bridget John who is an award-winning Scottish Nigerian actress residing in Atlanta, Georgia who had worked in the African and American film industry for many years. She had played lead and supporting roles in several films, television and theatre productions. Other members of his team over the years include Jessica Hahner, a filmmaker and coach for people in the industry, Will Kim, a Los Angeles-based artist and filmmaker.
The International Arts Film Festival was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic but it has since evolved from being an online event only to on-site screenings in London.
“We have now transitioned to both online and physical events. We’re trying to gather people from different parts of the world. That’s why we still have those online screenings, because we are trying to give the opportunity for a larger audience. And then we have the physical events where some people, some filmmakers in the UK and neighboring countries are able to make it there. We have experimental films, which are new and many people have not still accepted till today, but we are showcasing those.”
A good number of filmmakers have submitted their entries to the festival. One of them is Enna Johnscott, the maker of The Fisherman’s Diary. which screened at the festival and much later on Netflix.
“We believe that our festival is making a good influence on filmmakers, because we’re giving them the confidence that they need to go even bigger to other platforms. We have seen other films that have come in through our platform. For instance, ‘Primordial’ which has won other awards just recently and then earned another screening in New York.”
The festival which is traditionally held in December each year will be held in February next year to allow for more time for preparation and curation.
“Over the years, we have had different judges from all over the world,” he continued. Our curation process is very meticulous. We focus on artistic integrity. We focus on things that have to do with social injustice as well as cultural significance.”
IAFF currently accepts submissions through some of the world’s leading festival hosts including Filmfreeway and Festhome which are used globally by filmmakers. The team also has ongoing plans to make this festival more accessible to the Asian community via the TouJiang platform
The festival has given voice to the underrepresented filmmakers and brings coherence to the avant-gardist worldviews behind the unconditional storytelling.
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