African student film and television festival ends

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 July '99

African filmmakers, have been called upon to improve the quality and content of their products.

Mr Martin Loh, Director of the National Film and Television Institute

(NAFTI), at the end of the fourth African Student Film and Television Festival dubbed, "ANIWA 99', in Accra on Friday, noted that African films these days exhibit too much "juju" and called on filmmakers to try and do away with superstition.

He told journalists that after the two-week festival and workshop, the participants are expected to produce films, which have a sense of direction and portray the positive side of the continent.

Forty participants attended the workshop from 10 African countries, United States and Germany.

It was organised by NAFTI and sponsored by Deutsche Welle (DW) Television Training Centre in Berlin, on the theme "Liberating the mind".

Participants were taken through documentary production, screening and drama among other topics.

Rev Dr Chris Hesse, an expert in film production, said films should liberate Minds, saying, "most people are still illiterates and are living in the fear of the unknown" and films should help in removing these fears instead of "putting more fear into the people".

Rev Hesse asked the participants to play their part in rehabilitating the "destroyed and perverted cultural values of the African continent by colonial cinema".

A four-member jury, chaired by Mr Billy Muta, from South Africa, which examined the films recommended that as part of the training of students, they should be taught how to use the camera.

The assessment of films should also include make-up, costume and music.

Entries should be in English or have English subtitles or voice over-lays and and participating countries should be furnished with the different categories of entries such as documentaries, TV Drama, Feature, Animation and state the rules and regulations regarding entries.

Participants received awards for excelling at the festival with Ghana receiving twelve out of the 22.

The country won the best documentary, titled "Spice And The Savannah" while "The Saga", topped in the features category with "Tear Down the Walls", taking the best in Music video.

Other countries, which received awards, included South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, The Gambia and Cameroon.

Dr Dietrich Berwanger, Director DW Television Training Centre, asked the participants to put more into the industry because it has a lot of opportunities.

GRi../