Ghana’s movie industry is set to host the first short/animation film festival for development.

The first of its kind in Ghana, the festival is an initiative of the Festival of Films Africa (F.O.FA) in collaboration with Ghana Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) and Women in Performing Arts (W.I.P.A).

It seeks to create a platform for young filmmakers to showcase creative talents in short and animation films that are focused on development.

It will be a three-day event which will commence May 29 to 31.

There will also be a two-day workshop on May 29 and 30, followed by an awards night on May 31.

Entries are open from March 2, 2015 with the thematic areas of submission on health, education, local governance/environment, gender, culture/social development, and children/youth empowerment. Entry closes on April 30, 2015.

This initiative will promote artistic creativity, encourage young filmmakers and give them opportunities to interact with international filmmakers in workshops and get rewarded in the final contest to be held on May 31, 2015.

Films collected will enjoy periodic screening on national TV and will be discussed by a panel of professional filmmakers in the country.

Films selected are to address issues of national development and they will be submitted to appropriate quarters for tackling issues concerned.

The event is proudly supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the US Embassy in Accra and Sikkim Manipal University, Ghana.