BSIFF Set To Build Capacity Of African Creatives
The organisers of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) have announced that this year’s event is geared towards building the capacity of young creatives within the global film and creative space, with focus on Ghanaian and African filmmakers.
According to them, the event will include skill acquisition and capacity-building workshops, film clinics and masterclasses.
There will also be a professional film editing workshop and an intellectual discourse on topics not limited to: The Art of Documentary Filmmaking, Marketing and Branding for Independent Film & Music Artistes, Characterisation in Film, Screenwriting, among others.
The festival will take place from September 21 to 24. Over 45 films from independent filmmakers from 15 countries will screen at the Silverbird Cinema, during the event.
A panel discussion with expert representatives along the film value chain on the theme, “Inspiring the Business of Film in Africa” will also take place.
The panel will delve into the strategies needed to build a formidable creative industry with focus on young and emerging creatives into marketable trademarks.
According to Philippa Bentuma Arthur, Director of the Black Star International Film Festival, “these skill acquisition and capacity building sessions will help filmmakers harness and enhance their talents, encourage collaborative action and help to sustain a long-term commitment of stakeholders in the film industry.”
The seventh edition of BSIFF will begin with a media soiree to create a platform for industry professionals to engage the media, deepen existing relationships and establish new working relationships with key players in the industry.
The BSIFF will close its seventh edition with an awards night to celebrate and recognise the efforts and contributions of independent filmmakers globally.
The festival aims to bring together industry professionals from France, Sudan, Kenya, Ghana, USA, Uganda and 10 other countries, film students, film distributors and media partners – as well as the creative community – to have relevant industry conversation, inspiring and developing strategies for a thriving film business landscape in Africa.
The festival has also launched a BSIFF membership drive where BSIFF members, referred to as “Black Stars”, get to watch all 45 films at the Silverbird Cinema and attend all the scheduled activities for free.