Catherine Ruelle, World Cinema Expert graces IONIFF Port Harcourt 09

One of the world's most celebrated Cinema expert based in Paris, France Catherine Ruelle is scheduled to be part of IONIFF Port Harcourt 09 as Artistic Director.

Catherine, producer of “Golden Camera” program on Cannes Festival TV, portraits and interviews of young filmmakers from all over the world, is billed to bring her wealth of experience to IONIFF Port Harcourt 09 scheduled to hold in the Rivers State capital between 9^th and 12^th December 2009.

Since 1979, Catherine has been working in various capacities as President, Organizer or Committee Member of International Film Festivals in Paris, Cannes, Milan, and Geneva.

In 1980, she co-organized the first ever festival in Europe to celebrate Independent Black American Filmmakers and in 1984 founded the Association Racines which produced its first edition of Racines International Film Festival at Centre Georges Pompidou, the most prestigious cultural centre in the French capital.

As a result of her interest in black filmmaking, she became a part of the organization of Noir, Black, Negra, an artistic composition of film screenings, tales, music events and creation of an African village at Cannes Festival.

In line with her black cinema knowledge, she created a special category called Raices Negras/ Black Roots at the French cinema festival in Cuba in 1999 and 2000.

Catherine, according to the organizers of IONIFF Port Harcourt 09 is coming to Nigeria with her wealth of experience at the international level to share with participants particularly Nollywood while at the same time learning from Nollywood on how best to tell the Nigerian story.

Catherine also co-founded in partnership with the renowned Senegalese director Mahama Traore the special Djibril Diop Mambety price at Cannes Festival.

In 2008, she was appointed Artistic Director of a Midsummer’s Night Dream Digital Film Festival in Paris till date.

This lady of creativity has also coauthored some great works such as UNSECO report about African cinema, a book about Brazilian Cinema, Cuban Cinema and the list continues…

About IONIFF

ION International Film Festival was established in 2004 by Chris David of Shout Studio and in 2007 it was acquired by the Farmani Group. The Farmani Group is the founder of several charities and art-related business and organization, including the award –winning VUE magazine, The Lucie Award [the Oscars of photography] Design Awards, Green Dot Awards, Hospitality Awards, International Photography Awards, Px3-PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS, London Creative Competition [LICC], Art For New York, Farmani Gallery, aNet Communication, Focus on AIDS, and FYI design
ION International Film Festival is a touring festival that is dedicated to promoting independent films, documentaries, animation, music videos and student films.
Each year ION is held in a different location in an effort to promote global awareness and unity. IONIFF 2007 was hosted in Hollywood; in 2008 it was celebrated in Dubai. This year Port Harcourt will host IONIFF and from there the festival will move to Istanbul in 2010.
ION International Film Festival invites ardent industry professionals, film lovers and audience to experience the art and passion of some of the world’s most talented film makers in one of the world’s most vibrant locations, Port Harcourt. Submissions close on 30th September. For information visit www.omcomm.org