Chioma Ude Leads Effort to Empower African Screenwriters
The Africa International Film festival (AFRIFF) led by its founder, Ms Chioma Ude, on July 10th, 2023 in Lagos, announced its SCRIPT TO SCREEN Project, a groundbreaking initiative to empower filmmakers and build better creative capacity on the continent, particularly in screen writing. In partnership with the University of creative Arts, United Kingdom, the AFRIFF SCRIPT TO SCREEN PROJECT is a year-long incubator, capacity development and content creation acceleration programme, focused on African filmmakers/producers and writers who are interested in improving their ability to create and deliver quality screen content.
In line with its priorities, AFRIFF and the University of Creative Arts UK (UCA), have developed a unique curriculum and learning modules both virtual and in person to deliver the SCRIPT TO SCREEN project. These modules will provide participants with the training and industry access to support the development of quality and marketable content on the continent. The programme will include writing and development residencies, and workshops on financial management, business skills, entertainment law and IP, and distribution strategies. Local and international experts will share best practice from both a business and production perspective, enabling participants to leave with concrete expertise to create and compete in this highly lucrative and competitive space.
The AFRIFF SCRIPT TO SCREEN PROJECT will be delivered in four parts over a period of 12 months: with each stage reflecting the specifics of different formats and genres. The initial stage will focus on calling for 20 participants on two levels, seasoned writers with in-depth knowledge and appreciation of writing for screen; television series and feature length films, putting them together with younger talented writers committed to a career in writing.
The creative stage will focus on developing original storytelling through workshops and labs in script development and analysis, character development, structure, the protagonist’s journey, etc. This stage focuses primarily on creative development and dramaturgy.
The technical stage will see the writing teams paired with mentors both writers and producers who will work with them over the third quarter to review their scripted projects and prepare them for the next stage.
Finally, the financial and distribution stages will provide participants with an understanding of various requirements for projects to be ready for pitching and commissioning. This stage will focus on providing the participants with in-depth knowledge and appreciation of all the distribution channels available, the networks, streaming and VOD platforms, Television channels and Studios, when and how to pitch these developed projects. The programme will be delivered a faculty entirely resourced by UCA but will also invite experts from the industry to share their knowledge and experiences through special guest lectures and inspiring masterclasses.
Ms Chioma Ude, founder and festival director of AFRIFF, expressing her excitement to be working with the University of creative Arts “This collaboration with the UCA is a major milestone for us at the AFRIFF especially in strengthening our AFRIFF Talent development programme ; the AFRIFF ACADEMY, we believe THE SCRIPT TO SCREEN Project will be the first of many collaborations with UCA in our quest to enables more structured investment to building capacity for the African creative industry”
About Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) by Chioma Ude
The Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, was conceived by Ms Chioma Ude as a world class showcase that celebrates Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering Africa’s most vibrant film festival experience.
Over its past ten editions AFRIFF has truly attained a strategic importance in the film business community in the region. Its contacts and key relationships across Africa, has catalyzed the demand from local and international film business interests for AFRIFF to stand in the infrastructure deficiency gap that exists within the region. It is deliberate in its commitment to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships that deliver value, build capacity and create wealth.
AFRIFF’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of African creatives necessitates proactive collaboration and strategic relationships that leverage every opportunity to invest in promoting greater voice and expression for content makers on the continent. our core goals are to build capacity locally and create a “Skills” revolution that will immensely impact the economic fortunes of African creators. In the last decade, AFRIFF has imparted positively to the huge success of films and film practitioners in Africa while consistently training new talents towards consistent growth for the near future.