In September 2015, First Bank of Nigeria Limited launched FirstStars – a premier filmmaking competitive reality TV show where Nigerian youths were given the opportunity to project their creative skills in directing, producing, art directing, script writing and acting – in partnership with Ebony Life TV, Africa’s first Global Black entertainment and lifestyle network. FirstStars was designed to recognise and support the discovery and management of talented Nigerian youth in the film industry. This journey of filmmaking began with the electrifying process of selecting the most outstanding talents through several auditions which identified the brightest talents for the reality show.
Hosted by award winning media personalities, the contestants were taken through the rigorous journey of filmmaking under the tutelage and mentorship of a panel of judges comprising of prestigious director Walt Banger, producer – Tolu Ajayi, writer – Tosin Otudeko, art director – Theo Lawson and Nigerian Actors – Iretiola Doyle and Deyemi Okanlawon, among others. Through a series of exciting creative challenges as well as a string of tense and teary eliminations, two teams have emerged to compete for the final prize. With the requisite mentorship by notable professionals in the creative industry and in line with the mandate of the reality TV show, the teams have produced two movies ‘Sisterly’ and ‘It takes Five’ The movies will premiere on December 14 at the Film House, Lekki Phase one, hosted by FirstBank and EbonyLife TV.
FirstBank is passionate about the arts and the creative economy as a major step in economic diversification. The Bank’s partnership with EbonyLife TV to produce FirstStars comes under the auspice of the First@arts initiative. FirstBank is committed to promoting the Creative Arts industry, and to promoting home-grown human capacity development across several art platforms. Through this strategic initiative, the Bank will foster the development of the arts sector and preserve the nation’s cultural heritage.