Monrovia – Entertainment Company – Knock Knock Liberia, organizer of the KD International Film Festival (KDIFF) has announced the second edition of the competition will take place this November with several awards up for grasp.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
KD International Film Festival, formerly KD Short Film Festival is a red carpet event that celebrates professionals of the visual arts, films and photography industries; affording them the opportunity for professional interactions with a view to building stronger, more professional creative expressions, relationships and collaborations in Liberia.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia on Thursday, June 13, the CEO of Knock Knock Liberia, international award winning actress, Korto Davis disclosed that only films produced in the last two years from Liberia’s film makers at home and abroad will be accepted.
Submission of entries for the 2019 prestigious event, she said, starts on June 20 and ends September 30; while the festival will take place in November 2019.
Unlike the three categories featured in 2018, this year’s festival focuses on film, television, fine arts and photography with fifteen ‘distinctive’ award categories.
In addition, she noted that the event will showcase a wide range of talents and make it a broader spectrum with 15 award categories including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay for a feature, Best Sound for a feature, Actress of the Year and Actor of the Year.
Other award categories will include Director of the Year (Film), Best Performing Musician, Best Performing Group, Best make up, Best picture, Best cinematography, Best Costume and KDIFF achiever award. There will also be several honorary awards for outstanding individuals with exceptional performance and support.
“The KD International Film Festival is about creative Liberia and the future – with emphasis on young people and the stories they have to tell the world – through film, TV, pictures, writing and art,” the Family Reunion star averred.
“This is not only positive for the festival, its incredible news for our audience. Now we can branch out and focus on gathering all types of movie lovers.”
The festival was held in 2018 for the first time in Liberia at the Monrovia City Hall with the first winner taking home a cash price of US$1,500, runners up, US$700 while the third winner walked away with US$500.
However, with 15 awards up for grasp, the Knock Knock Liberia’s boss said this year’s event is expected to be a huge success as compare to 2018; adding that the name KD International Film Festival was adopted to allow participants from other African countries send in entries in the future.
Winners of this year’s competition, she noted, will be presented with a plaque to be accompanied by cash prizes.
“The KD International Film Festival is going to be bigger and better this year. Thankfully, the National Port Authority is the only proud sponsor for now but we are open and available for more sponsorship and partnership from the business communities, corporate entities, public Corporations and Private institutions who believe in advancing Liberian talents,” she intoned.