Film-makers learn new tricks at ‘Nollywood Workshop

Seasoned film-makers that include Bond Emeruwa, Tunde Kelani, Mahmoud Alli-Balogun and Bassey Ekpeyoung, gathered in Lagos early this week to review practices within the industry while also exploring new ways of moving it forward.

It was at the Nollywood Workshop where a film producer, new media strategist and digital educator from Harvard University, Aimee Corrigan, led a team of experts.

Tagged Nollywood Upgrade Training and Workshops, the project was sponsored by the Lagos State government, which received commendations from various participants.

It is the brainchild of Nollywood Workshops, an NGO that empowers independent film-making through consistent professional training and production. According to the organisers, it was conceived to move the Nigerian film industry and its practitioners to the next level.

Apart from Emeruwa – a prolific film-maker and former national president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria and current Chairman, Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations – other resource persons at the event held in Magodo area of Lagos are Robert Caputo, a renowned National Geographic photographer and filmmaker with multiple feature films, and Fracco Sacchi, who directs, produces and edits award winning films with focus on economic development.

The workshops covered core areas in cinematography, screenwriting, post-production, directing, sound, acting and film distribution.

Emeruwa notes that the organisers, participants were selected through a competitive and transparent application process that considered their experience, skills and willingness to train others in the industry.

He says, on the phases of the workshop, “The first is building capacity through training and community cinema development. The second is cultivating opportunities for innovation in film financing and distribution, while the third and final phase is serving to legitimise the Nollywood industry as a space for investment, sponsorship and collaboration. The training also presented an opportunity for Nigerian film-makers to collaborate with their peers from Hollywood and other film industries.”

He added that the training, which also featured Kunle Afolayan, and Lee Zlotoff, was designed in partnership with CONGA.

Lagos State Deputy Chief of Staff, Moji Rhodes, was also present.