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AFRIFF 2018: Mildred Okwo, Others Grace Accelerate Filmmaker Project

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some notable names in the Nigerian movie industry on Monday, November 12, 2018 attended the second edition of the Accelerate Filmmaker Project.

The programme was made possible as a result of the partnership between Access Bank and Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

Present at the event were Nollywood veterans like Mildred Okwo, Niyi Akinmolayan, Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Gloria Young and a host of others.

During the Accelerate Filmmaker Project, six short films created by seven finalists from the competition in conjunction with AFRIFF were premiered at the Genesis Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos State.

The finalists got the chance with industry elites in an interactive question and answer session during the screening, bringing about the depths to which the films were shot.

Finalists, whose films made it to the big screen include Chidinma Igbokweuche, who directed MMACHI; Ozioma Ogbaji, who produced STUCK; Samuel Olanrewaju – THE WALL; Bola Akanbi – THORN; Charles Obi Emere – WRONG CON and WALLFLOWER co-produced by Joel Adegboye and Seun Richards. The winner, who will be awarded an AFRIFF film-making scholarship to France, would be announced at the AFRIFF award ceremony on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

Speaking at the event, Head of Accelerate TV, Colette Otusheso, appreciated everyone who graced the event including mentors and the Accelerate team, whose collaborative efforts led to the celebration of a huge success.

On the short films, she said “These films are testimonies to the potential achievement metrics when a pool of people with a common goal come together to achieve greatness. The underlying foundation is the power of collaboration – a gift that is necessary to guarantee success in film-making”.

Project Manager of Accelerate Filmmaker Project, Bolanle Olosunde-Jenrola, who also anchored the event, talked about the experience so far and the growing challenges in paving the way forward for the next generation of filmmakers in the industry.

She also facilitated the interactive session between the young filmmakers and the audience after the screening of each film.

The Accelerate Filmmaker Project is a mechanism of Accelerate TV to give young people the chance to achieve their film-making dreams.

Over 700 applications came in when the project kick started back in March 2018 with the call for short films centred on the theme ‘Friendship’. From the entries, 50 candidates were longlisted, while 20 made the final cut and were engaged in a week long intense film-making training and mentorship programme under the tutelage of professionals in the Nigerian filmmaking industry, including Joke Silva, Seyi Babatope, Mildred Okwo, Lala Akindoju, Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Lawrence Adejumo, Daniel Oriahi, Niyi Akinmolayan, Bibi Shasore, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, Bose Oshin, Uduak Oguamanam, Kunle Adejuyigbe, Bobo Omotayo, Feyisayo Ogundipe and Tolu Ajayi.

Eventually, all twenty pitched their film ideas to a panel of judges and seven finalists emerged to make their short films with Accelerate TV. All finalists were in charge of the directing and the production of their short films with the Accelerate crew and their films premiered on the Accelerate Day at AFRIFF 2017.

The films will be aired in a series called ‘The Social Experiment Series’ on the Accelerate TV platform and Youtube channel later this month.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Davis Offor ‘Clarus’ of New Masquerade Comedy Sitcom Dies

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Davis offor clarus

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A veteran Nigerian actor, Mr Davis Offor, who dazzled many viewers with his role as Clarus in the famous New Masquerade, is dead.

The death of the 83-year-old actor was confirmed on Tuesday by Mr Tony Akposheri, who acted as Zaki in the now-rested comedy sitcom.

“Davis Offor, fondly known as Davis Offor, our own Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone.

“We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead. We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.

“Life, as always, had its own plans.

“You were more than a familiar face on screen. You were a friend, a brother, a man with warmth, humour, and a presence that could light up any space. Knowing you personally was a gift I will always be grateful for.

“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.

“Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten,” Mr Akposheri wrote on his Facebook page.

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The Yard, The Low Priest, Mother of the Brides Score AMVCA 12 Nominations

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AMVCA 12 Nominee List

If you’ve been sleeping on Africa Magic Originals, consider this your wake-up call. Shows like The Yard, The Low Priest, and Mother of the Brides are racking up nominations at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. From gripping social drama to supernatural chaos and family madness, these homegrown productions are proof that Africa Magic has some of the continent’s most compelling storytelling.

With the awards set to take place on May 9 in Lagos, now is the perfect time to catch up on these standout series. Whether you’re watching for the first time or catching up, Africa Magic Originals are proving why they’re leading the charge in bold, diverse, and unforgettable storytelling.

The Yard

If you love a story where the hero slowly becomes the villain, The Yard was made for you. The series delves into the brutal world of the Ajako bus park, ruled by the ruthless Chief Odafe. It follows Tega, a struggling bus driver, and Odafe Junior, the chairman’s privileged son, who form an unlikely alliance to challenge the system, only to realise that power comes at a dangerous cost.

At AMVCA 12, The Yard is nominated for Best Scripted M-Net Original, Best Series Scripted, and Simileoluwa Hassan is up for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the series.

Our Husband

Our Husband tells the story of Zara Nnamani, whose seemingly perfect life unravels when she discovers her husband’s infidelity. His sudden fatal heart attack leaves her with a devastating secret, forcing an unlikely alliance with his mistress, Ololade, bound together by a truth that could destroy them both.

The writing is just as sharp as the drama, as the series earned a Best Scripted M-Net Original and Best Writing TV Series nomination for this series, proving that the storytelling is as compelling as the plot itself.

Mother of the Bride

Imagine finding out that your entire inheritance depends on marrying off one of your daughters in 45 days. That’s the premise of Mother of the Brides, and it is as chaotic and delightful as it sounds.

The series is a family drama about a Lagos matriarch who, after her husband’s death, discovers she has 45 days to marry off one of her four daughters or lose her inheritance to tradition. Every episode is basically a masterclass in family pressure, wedding drama, and the very specific madness of Nigerian matchmaking culture.

Gloria Anozie-Young is nominated for Best Lead Actress, alongside a Best Scripted M-Net Original nod for the show itself.

The Low Priest

This one is for everyone who loves their drama laced with supernatural twists. The Low Priest follows two rivals who trespass into a sacred shrine, triggering a fate where one is chosen by the gods and the other is cursed. Directed by Femi Ogunsanwo, the series spans 130 episodes packed with ancient forces, mortal grudges, and moral dilemmas that keep you hooked.

The Low Priest is nominated for Best Scripted M-net Movie.

Cast Your Votes and Catch Up

Public voting is underway and closes on April 26, 2026. Head to africamagic.tv/amvca to cast your votes.

You can also catch these shows on the DStv / GOtv Stream app.

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The Best AI Music Sites for Testing Creative Direction

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A great deal of creative work fails before it ever becomes visible. The lyric stays in a notes app. The campaign concept remains a vague mood board. The video edit waits for a soundtrack that never arrives. The product teaser feels almost finished but emotionally incomplete. In many of these cases, the problem is not lack of imagination. It is the difficulty of testing direction quickly enough. People can often describe what they want more easily than they can produce it. That is why an AI Music Generator has become valuable far beyond entertainment. It helps creators test whether an idea actually works in sound.

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This is a better way to understand the rise of music AI. The category is not only about replacing production. It is about accelerating evaluation. A creator with a vague concept can now ask for several musical directions and compare how each one changes the feel of the project. A lyric writer can hear whether a phrase holds up melodically. A marketer can judge whether a launch video should sound cinematic, calm, urgent, or playful. A small team can move from mood assumptions to audible evidence much faster than before.

When music AI is treated as a tool for testing direction, ToMusic deserves the first position in a top-ten ranking. The platform is not simply about output. It is about interpretability. It gives users a visible path from prompt or lyrics to song creation, offers multiple model choices, supports an instrumental option, and keeps the process close to how people naturally think about ideas. That combination matters because it lowers the friction of creative testing. In that sense, Text to Music is not only a feature category. It is a decision-making tool for modern creators.

Why Creative Direction Matters More Than Pure Output

Many AI music discussions focus too heavily on the final sound. That misses the earlier stage where most value appears.

Creative work begins with uncertainty

At the start of a project, people often do not know exactly what they want. They know the feeling they are aiming for, but not yet the best execution.

Hearing options clarifies ideas faster than imagining them

It is easier to compare two concrete musical versions than to compare two abstract mental possibilities. AI makes those comparisons cheaper and faster.

Direction testing is useful even when the track is not final

A generated result can still be highly valuable if it tells the user what to change next. Not every output needs to be the finished piece in order to be useful.

The best platforms reduce the cost of exploration

The more easily a tool helps users test another direction, the more practical it becomes in everyday work.

The Ten Best Music AI Platforms for Direction Testing

This ranking focuses on which platforms help users hear, compare, and refine creative directions most effectively.

Rank Platform Best Direction Testing Strength Best Use Case Main Limitation
1 ToMusic Clear movement from prompt or lyrics to testable output Broad creator use, from songs to instrumentals Still depends on the quality of the brief
2 Suno Fast comparison of complete song ideas Immediate full-song testing Sometimes broad rather than precisely targeted
3 Udio Strong feel for alternate musical interpretations Creative exploration and stylistic testing Often rewards more patient steering
4 SOUNDRAW Quick testing of background music tone Creator content and media scoring Less central for lyric-driven songs
5 Beatoven Mood comparison for visual projects Video and podcast emotional framing Narrower than song-first platforms
6 Mubert Rapid utility-based soundtrack trials Social and commercial content More functional than emotionally nuanced
7 AIVA Structured compositional direction testing Soundtrack and arrangement-minded users Less instantly approachable
8 Loudly Creator workflow experimentation Broader creator ecosystem use Can feel less focused at first touch
9 Boomy Easy first tests for non-musicians Beginner experimentation Lower ceiling for deep control
10 Musicfy Vocal style and voice direction testing Voice-centered projects More specialized than all-purpose

Why ToMusic Is the Strongest First Recommendation

ToMusic ranks first because it does more than generate music. It helps users organize uncertain ideas into a workable creative process.

It accepts multiple kinds of intent

Some people want to test a lyrical idea. Some want to test mood. Some want to know whether an instrumental version will serve the project better than a vocal one. ToMusic supports all of these without forcing users into a single rigid input style.

It makes the creative choices legible

A product becomes easier to trust when the user can see what it is asking for. ToMusic’s visible modes, model choices, and input paths reduce confusion and make experimentation more deliberate.

It turns early ambiguity into audible comparison

This is perhaps its most practical strength. A user can start with a basic direction, hear the result, identify what feels off, and then refine from there. That is how real creative work usually develops.

Its balance gives it broader relevance

A specialist platform can be excellent in one narrow task. ToMusic’s advantage is that it handles several adjacent tasks well enough to remain useful across different kinds of projects.

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How the Other Platforms Fit This Same Goal

A top ranking is more credible when the alternatives are understood accurately.

Suno is extremely useful when speed is the main need

If a user wants a complete sounding draft quickly, Suno remains one of the most accessible choices. It is especially useful when the purpose is to judge direction rather than to finalize detail immediately.

Udio is strong for users who enjoy refinement

Some creators want more than a quick answer. They want a platform that invites comparison and iterative musical shaping. Udio often attracts those users.

SOUNDRAW and Beatoven work best when music supports something else

These tools become especially valuable when the music is serving a video, podcast, or commercial asset. In those cases, the question is often not “Is this a great song?” but “Does this create the right atmosphere?”

Mubert is practical when turnaround matters most

For creators who need speed across many assets, a utility-first platform can be a better fit than a tool centered on songwriting or emotional nuance.

The lower-ranked tools still matter in specific scenarios

AIVA, Loudly, Boomy, and Musicfy each remain relevant when their narrower strengths match the task. The ranking is not about dismissal. It is about general usefulness across a broad set of creative tests.

The Official ToMusic Workflow as a Direction Testing Loop

One reason ToMusic ranks first is that its official flow is already aligned with the way people test ideas.

Step 1. Choose the creation route

Users begin by selecting a simpler or more custom path and then choose the model that suits the kind of result they want.

Step 2. Enter the idea in words or lyrics

The user can provide a description, style direction, title, or full lyrics. If vocals are not needed, instrumental mode is available.

Step 3. Generate the track and listen critically

The first output answers a simple question: is this direction promising enough to continue?

Step 4. Revise the brief if the direction is not right

If the result misses the emotional mark, the user changes the brief and tests another version. That cycle is the core of the product’s practical value.

How Different Types of Creators Use Music AI to Test Direction

The same platform category can serve very different creative situations.

Songwriters use it to hear possibility

A lyric on a page often feels unfinished until it meets melody and arrangement. AI tools help writers find out whether a phrase carries emotional weight in performance.

Video creators use it to test emotional framing

The same footage can feel dramatic, intimate, playful, or premium depending on the soundtrack. Music AI makes those comparisons much faster.

Brands and marketers use it to reduce concept risk

Before investing in custom audio production, teams can test different emotional routes and decide which one aligns best with the campaign.

Independent creators use it to extend creative reach

People without formal production training can now hear musical options that would previously have remained theoretical.

Professionals use it as an early-stage filter

Even experienced creatives can benefit because the tools help them reject weak directions earlier and preserve time for stronger ones.

The Credible Limits of This Category

A realistic ranking should also explain where direction testing still has limits.

A platform cannot fully rescue a weak brief

If the creative input is too vague, the output may also feel vague. Clear intent still matters.

More options do not always create better choices

There is a point where too many variations can become distracting. Good users still need taste and selection discipline.

A draft is not the same as a finished piece

This sounds obvious, but it is important. The value of AI often appears before final production, not only at the point of release.

Testing direction still requires judgment

The tool can present possibilities, but the human still decides which direction truly serves the project.

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Why ToMusic Leads This Top Ten List

ToMusic earns first place because it turns uncertain ideas into testable audio with unusual clarity. It supports both descriptive prompting and lyric-driven input. It offers multiple model paths instead of forcing every task through one system. It includes an instrumental route, which expands its usefulness well beyond full vocal songs. And most importantly, it makes the workflow easy to understand at the moment when users are still deciding whether their idea is worth pursuing.

That does not mean every competitor is weak. Suno remains a powerful recommendation for users who want immediate full-song outputs. Udio is attractive for people who enjoy deeper exploration of musical feel. SOUNDRAW, Beatoven, and Mubert are all very sensible choices when the assignment is media-first rather than song-first. AIVA, Loudly, Boomy, and Musicfy each make sense when their specialty aligns with the task.

But when the question is which platform best helps a broad range of creators test direction quickly, clearly, and repeatedly, ToMusic stands above the others. It meets users at the earliest stage of creation, where uncertainty is highest and decision value is greatest. In that stage, speed alone is not enough. Clarity matters. Flexibility matters. Interpretability matters. That is why ToMusic deserves the first position here.

The broader lesson is that music AI is becoming most valuable not where it imitates finished production most perfectly, but where it helps creators think in sound sooner. Once that happens, ideas stop waiting in silence. They become something a person can hear, compare, reject, improve, or move forward with. That shift is larger than novelty. It is a new way of making creative judgment practical.

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