As part of its developmental agenda for Africa’s film industry, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is planning to take ten (10) students to the United States for practical training in various aspects of filmmaking.

Founder/CEO of the festival, Ms Chioma Ude, revealed that the top ten (10) students who show the most aptitude during 2014 AFRIFF training workshops will be eligible for the sponsorship.

She said the training in America was planned as a reward scheme for these meritorious film students. According to her, the scholarship will be to attend a short film course at a prestigious American university, and is a collaborative effort with a key AFRIFF partner.

The aspects of filmmaking to be taught at this year’s workshops include; acting, scriptwriting; directing and cinematography. This year’s edition of the festival will hold from November 9 to November 16, 2014 at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State.

Organisers say interested candidates for this year’s workshops should register at the new AFRIFF website, www.afriff.com, as only registered candidates will be eligible for short listing for the workshops. Registration for participation in all aspects at the festival begins from Monday, September 14, 2014. According to Ude, this skill acquisition and youth development initiative was conceived using filmmaking as a veritable vehicle for youth empowerment.

Dubbed AFRIFF Talent Development Workshops, the initiative provides beginners and intermediate courses for young people. AFRIFF also organizes master classes for more established filmmakers and professionals in the industry.

Ude noted that the planned US training was in line with the vision of providing growth opportunities for graduates of the festival’s training program.

“AFRIFF has since its first edition in 2010, provided free training and talent development opportunities for young people and aspiring filmmakers. We have provided ground-breaking education in Sound for Film, Cinematography and Screen Writing for over 500 students.

“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 sets to the abundant talents in our film community.”