Accra, July 21, GNA - A documentary focusing on Former President, Jerry John Rawlings was adjudged the best out of seven presented at the Eighth Pan African Students Film and Television festival dubbed: "ANIWA 2007".
The 26 minute-documentary was described by a five-member jury headed by Mr. Billy Mutta a veteran Documentary Film Producer and Head of Nairobi Film Training Institute as "historical resonance." Other documentaries present by film training institutions at ANIWA 2007 were; Ghana - "Tomorrow's Future," "Change Your Style," "Costume of a Nation," and "Grandma and the Carpenter." Nigeria presented: "Mummy Lagos," and "Faceless."
A fiction film on Dr. Ezanetor Rawlings, first daughter of the former President was also adjudged the best out of 15 other musical fiction films.
Announcing the winners at the end of two-week ANIWA 2007 festival, Mr Mutta said 32 productions entered the competition. They were: Fiction, 15; Documentary, 7; Debut, two; Musical, three; Television Drama, three; and Animation, two.
Mr Mutta ascribed a "member of three conspirators," who conceived the idea of establishing an African Festival, reprimanded film makers for failing woefully in the area of directing, editing, sound management and all other disciplines 14 years after the inception of the festival. He expressed concern about the decline in craftsmanship in film production, especially in story development and script, sound, lighting, directing, editing, innovative use of music, use of archival footages and innovation in set designs.
He said ANIWA 2007 Jury noted with dissatisfaction lack of engagement of students and lecturers in film discussions and general low turn-out of participants, "even participation of students and lecturers from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) main organisers of the festival was not very encouraging."
The Jury, according to Mr Mutta recommended that in order to improve upon ANIWA festivals, participation institutions must demonstrate greater commitment and have specific official to liaise with the secretariat in Accra, Ghana on a constant bases.
The Jury also expressed concern about the poor publicity accorded the festival in the media and challenged the organisers to involve the media in future events.
In spite of the lapses of ANIWA 2007, Ghanaian filmmakers however beat their Nigerian and other counterparts who participated in the festival. Ghana picked a total of eight prizes; Nigeria, six; South Africa, four; and Zimbabwe, one.
Mr. Nat Nunoo Amartefio, former Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Authority who was the guest speaker remind cinema and television professionals to shift emphasis to the production of materials that would enable them to overcome superstition, ethnicity, civil strife, fear, violence and other negative cultural practices that undermined the Continent's search for development.
Mr. Martin Loh, Director of NAFTI explained that the event organised bi-annually was intended to bring together teachers, students and professionals to acquire new knowledge and share experience and skills.
Mr. Loh said ANIWA had gained international recognition as a major student film and TV event in Africa and must be sustained.
Accra, July 21, GNA - A documentary focusing on Former President, Jerry John Rawlings was adjudged the best out of seven presented at the Eighth Pan African Students Film and Television festival dubbed: "ANIWA 2007".
The 26 minute-documentary was described by a five-member jury headed by Mr. Billy Mutta a veteran Documentary Film Producer and Head of Nairobi Film Training Institute as "historical resonance." Other documentaries present by film training institutions at ANIWA 2007 were; Ghana - "Tomorrow's Future," "Change Your Style," "Costume of a Nation," and "Grandma and the Carpenter." Nigeria presented: "Mummy Lagos," and "Faceless."
A fiction film on Dr. Ezanetor Rawlings, first daughter of the former President was also adjudged the best out of 15 other musical fiction films.
Announcing the winners at the end of two-week ANIWA 2007 festival, Mr Mutta said 32 productions entered the competition. They were: Fiction, 15; Documentary, 7; Debut, two; Musical, three; Television Drama, three; and Animation, two.
Mr Mutta ascribed a "member of three conspirators," who conceived the idea of establishing an African Festival, reprimanded film makers for failing woefully in the area of directing, editing, sound management and all other disciplines 14 years after the inception of the festival. He expressed concern about the decline in craftsmanship in film production, especially in story development and script, sound, lighting, directing, editing, innovative use of music, use of archival footages and innovation in set designs.
He said ANIWA 2007 Jury noted with dissatisfaction lack of engagement of students and lecturers in film discussions and general low turn-out of participants, "even participation of students and lecturers from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) main organisers of the festival was not very encouraging."
The Jury, according to Mr Mutta recommended that in order to improve upon ANIWA festivals, participation institutions must demonstrate greater commitment and have specific official to liaise with the secretariat in Accra, Ghana on a constant bases.
The Jury also expressed concern about the poor publicity accorded the festival in the media and challenged the organisers to involve the media in future events.
In spite of the lapses of ANIWA 2007, Ghanaian filmmakers however beat their Nigerian and other counterparts who participated in the festival. Ghana picked a total of eight prizes; Nigeria, six; South Africa, four; and Zimbabwe, one.
Mr. Nat Nunoo Amartefio, former Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Authority who was the guest speaker remind cinema and television professionals to shift emphasis to the production of materials that would enable them to overcome superstition, ethnicity, civil strife, fear, violence and other negative cultural practices that undermined the Continent's search for development.
Mr. Martin Loh, Director of NAFTI explained that the event organised bi-annually was intended to bring together teachers, students and professionals to acquire new knowledge and share experience and skills.
Mr. Loh said ANIWA had gained international recognition as a major student film and TV event in Africa and must be sustained.
