Organizers of the Pitcher Festival of Creativity have unveiled international award-winning and higly acclaimed storyteller, filmmaker and content producer, Femi Odugbemi, as president of “2024 Pitcher Awards Entertainment Jury”. The awards ceremony will feature as part of the Pitcher Festival of Creativity, holding May 16-18.

With the appointment as head of such a prestigious award project, Odugbemi is recognised for his “outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and his unwavering commitment to fostering creativity,” the organizers stated in a statement announcing the appointment. The statement describes him as “a multifaceted creative force, renowned for his work as a writer, filmmaker, and television producer.”

Chairman of Pitcher Festival, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, congratulating Odugbemi on the appointment, said: “Femi Odugbemi’s vision and expertise are highly remarkable. His creative insights and industry acumen set him apart as a true luminary in the world of entertainment and media. His leadership will undoubtedly elevate the judging process and inspire creativity within the region and beyond. We look forward to an exceptional year under his guidance.”

The announcement reads further, “As the Founder and CEO of Zuri24 Media, a content production company based in Lagos, Odugbemi has consistently pushed boundaries and elevated storytelling in the African media landscape.

“His impressive credentials include being a voting member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys). Odugbemi’s unique distinction lies in his election to both the Film and TV international academies — a testament to his exceptional talent and influence.

“Odugbemi has brought to life some of sub-Saharan Africa’s most successful television drama series, TINSEL. Notably, he was the founding content producer of TINSEL, Nigeria’s groundbreaking studio multi-camera daily series. With over 3,500 episodes and counting, TINSEL remains one of the longest-running soap operas in the country. His portfolio extends to other acclaimed drama series, feature films and documentaries.

Speaking about his appointment, Femi Odugbemi stated: “I am thrilled to return as the Entertainment Jury President for the 2024 Pitcher Festival of Creativity Awards. It is a privilege to witness the incredible talent and innovation showcased by creators in the entertainment industry. I eagerly anticipate experiencing the diverse and inspiring works submitted this year and celebrating the creativity and ingenuity of our industry.”

Now in its 7th edition, the Pitcher Awards is described as “one of Africa’s most valuable and internationally respected accolades. Every year the jury, made up of experts from across the region, come together to review and benchmark creativity expressed across Africa through various media including print, film, audio, outdoor, PR, Entertainment, and Digital, as well as creativity that has been specifically deployed for the good of mankind. Entries into Pitcher Awards are open to all work created, released or implemented anywhere on the African continent. This means that even projects created outside of Africa but designed specifically for implementation or release in Africa are eligible to enter.”

With the theme, ”Creativity for a Connected Africa”, the 2024 Pitcher Awards, says the organisers, “promise to be a celebration of brilliance, innovation, and the power of creativity.”