ION in Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009 

Hollywood Celebrities head to Nigeria for the 6th Annual ION International Film Festival

Grammy Award winning rapper, actor, film producer, and member of the hip hop trio The Fugees, considered one of the most influential groups in 90’s for their album ‘The Score': PRAS, dazzling actress Daryl Hannah, and distinguished star of numerous Spike Lee Movies, TV and Broadway Giancarlo Esposito, joined by Bollywood Stars Masumeh Makhija and Adnan Siddiiqui are all bound for Port Harcourt, Nigeria to attend the 6th Annual ION International Film Festival.

Each year, ION is held in a different international location in an effort to promote global awareness and unity. ION moved from Hollywood in 2007, to Dubai, UAE in 2008, will be hosted in Nigeria for its sixth edition. The ION International Film Festival has chosen Port Harcourt, Nigeria for its diversity, rich culture and talented filmmakers. The Film Festival hopes to provide not only Nigerian filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their talents to a wide array of people but also independent filmmakers from across the globe. ION international Film Festival is a touring festival dedicated to promoting independent film, documentary, animation, original screenplays and music videos. It honours and promotes individuals for their outstanding achievements, while encouraging new artists to emerge.

Caterina Bortolussi, - creative director of Omcomm Ltd and local producer of IONIFF Port Harcourt09 - said in interview with CNN, “People in Port Harcourt have an energy that I have never experienced before and for too long it has been showcased like a place of conflict and extremely insecure. The time has come to shift the focus from the bad news to the good news, to the light of the Niger Delta.... the positive initiatives that are taking place in this corner of the world.”

Pras in 2006, produced "Skid Row," a documentary account of his nine-day experience as a homeless person living in downtown Los Angeles. Using a hidden camera, Pras captured the reality of homelessness. Skid Row was released in 24 August 2007,produced by Teryn Fogel and it will be screened in Port Harcourt during the 4 days festival. The Actor/rapper, poised to perform at the closing gala that will be broadcast live nationally and internationally on AIT, said: “It's such an honor for me to attend and be a part of the Ion Film festival in Port Harcourt this year. Being a part of this is like the prodigal son returning home. Going to Nigeria gives me a chance to reconnect and rejuvenate my soul.”

Daryl Hannah stated : “The ION Film Festival makes a serious commitment to supporting thoughtful, innovative, provocative, funny, intuitive and out of the box projects and stands out in the world of film festivals.” Giancarlo Esposito will Chair the Actor’s Lab on the 12th of December in Port Harcourt, has been enthralled with the prospect of this visit to Port Harcourt, that will be hosting the African Premier of " Gospel Hills" movie produced and co-written by Giancarlo himself and co-starred with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles and Samuel L. Jackson. ION International Film Festival will also be the stage of the World Premier of Darfur, feature film in competition cowritten and produced by Chris Roland.