The Film Lab Africa program kicked off this year with over 600 applications from emerging filmmakers in the UK and Nigeria applying to be part of this film producers training lab in creative entrepreneurship, backed by British Council office in Nigeria.
British Council’s Creative Economy Lead, Sub Saharan Africa and Head of Arts Nigeria, Brenda Fashugba, said the Film Lab Africa programme is “meticulously designed to offer comprehensive support, empowering young, dynamic Film/TV producers in the country with the necessary skill set and knowledge to navigate the intricate landscape of the Film and TV industry as successful creative entrepreneurs.
60 emerging filmmakers were successfully selected to be part of this inaugural training from the UK and Nigeria, with a 50/50 gender split ensuring female producers are equally represented. The program entails in class training, production of short and micro films, industry engagement events like creative talks, film club and podcast and afinal showcase of funded films to industry stakeholders and film enthusiast.
Yemi Daramola of Darimedia, a film distribution expert and UK delivery partner for the film Lab Africa program said, “The goal is to ensure the60 selected participants are fully equipped with the skills and training to compete effectively with filmmakers internationally showcasing the best in Africa storytelling”
The in-class training will be online for five-weeks, marking the first stage of the Film Lab Africa project, followed by a competitive film pitch session for the chance to win a slot inthe short film/ micro film funding category for 10 filmmakers to get a grant of £5000 each for short films and an additional 10 filmmakers to get a grant of £500 each for mobile phone films.
Don Omopeof Pictograph, a script/story specialist and former studio film executive is technical consultant to the Film Lab Africa initiative and added that the in-class learning experience will offer a dual perspective on creative entrepreneurship that blends global best standards with specialist local nuances. The production season will feature various short/micro films that take this dual perspective approach to storytelling that expresses a local approach that resonates globally.
The Nigerian Principal Partner, Afro WrenProductions Limited led by Olasunkanmi Adebayo, in his remarks, also stressed the need for more opportunities for emerging filmmakers in the Nigerian Film industry to allow them to compete fairly on the international stage and we are working tirelessly with our partners to ensure we deliver on this initiative”
The production season which kicks off the second stage of the British council funded Film Lab Africa initiative which is slated to start in May/June 2024.
