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3rd BFM International Film Festival Shows Ghana Films
Ghanaians in London will have the opportunity to see films made
by talented Ghanaian screenwriters and filmmakers at the 3rd BFM
International Films Festival.
The films were described by Scriptnet special advisor William
Boyd the Ghanaian author, screen writer and director "as
worlds we have not seen on screen before".
Scriptnet is a charity, which was set up in 1999 to address the
need for TV and Film training in Ghana. It started with a six-month
screenwriting, as at present there is no sustained screenwriting
tuition in Ghana. Scriptnet also held a national competition offering
free tuition for all entries. Prominent British screenwriters
then taught the workshops. With the training taking place in fours
centres around Ghana of over 150 writers.
After training five winning scripts where selected and rewarded
with advise from industry professionals in the UK, which included
British Screen, BFI, Channel Four and the BBC, William Boyd oversaw
this.
The five scripts where then used to form the core for a further
training programme of producers, directors and actors. Working
with mentors and established professionals in Ghana the five following
films were made,
Singh - a love story of revenge and jealousy.
The Next Meal - A young boy falls into the wrong hands, exploring
gangland Ghana.
Members Only - A sex comedy set in university residence.
Deeds - A thriller through the eyes of a traumatized girl who
witnesses a brutal murder.
Lareba - Follows physical and psychological journey of a young
woman who runs away from an arranged marriage.
Hence, allowing Ghana to showcase the work of the talented newly
trained writers, directors, and producers. This has been a landmark
project for all the participants both in Ghana and here in the
UK.
The shorts premiered in Ghana in January and also have been broadcast
on Ghanaian TV.
The BFM film festival encourages the work of black filmmakers
worldwide and will be screening films from West Africa but the
UK, the USA, Europe and the Caribbean.
For further info please contact the bfm IFF office on 0208 531
9199/ bfm
Festival Info Line 0901 557 0001.
www.bfmfilmfestival.com
Joy Coker
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