10 Nigerian students to be sponsored for filmmaking training in US

In a statement made to Premium Times, CEO of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, said the 10 students would be taken to a prestigious university in the USA for further training in various aspects of filmmaking. She explained that through this initiative and several others, the festival plans to change the economic horizon of the African film industry.

"We believe we can use this model for a social revolution that will change the economic horizon of the African film industry, by providing technical knowledge and skill to enhance the abundant talents in our film community," she said.

The beneficiaries of the training will be expected to shoot a short film after their course abroad, in fulfilment of their training. The films will be entered into the festival's students' short category for the subsequent AFRIFF in 2015.

According to the festival guidelines, registration for the workshops which opened at the new AFRIFF website, www.afriff.com on 15 September, will close on 17 October, while general registration will end on 31 October.

AFRIFF 2014 is scheduled to take place at Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State from 9-16 November 2014.

According to the festival organisers there will be hands-on training and workshop on scriptwriting, cinematography, acting and directing for aspiring filmmakers in Africa.