Accra, Sept 3, GNA - Mr. Bruno Pischiutta, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Pictures, Canada, on Saturday called for the establishment of cinematic education and career development institutions in West Africa for the promotion of the industry to international standard.
"For the regions artistes especially Ghanaian actors and actress to have a real presence in international cinema, there must be an institution that supports professional cinematic education and career development," he stated in an interview with Ghana News Agency, in Accra.
Mr. Pischiutta, an internationally acclaimed film producer and director was in Ghana to produce his latest film, "Punctured Hope," which sought to raise global awareness regarding the religious and cultural practice of Trokosi, the enslavement of virgin girls to shrines to atone for the "sins" of their relatives.
Punctured Hope does not only reveal the startling age-old tribal cultural practice that promoted the continued enslavement, mutilation and sexual abuse of West African young girls and women, but does so with an all-African cast, whose lead actress was a survivor of the culturally imbedded religious belief, which had affected millions of African women over the past 300 years.
Mr. Pischiutta explained that the objective of the Film Academy is to provide an extensive training in film script writing, acting, directing and production to young and promising Ghanaian talents. "Although we are still in the fledgling stages of the Academy's development," Pischiutta noted, "we are positioned to help aspiring actors, writers, directors, producers and other film professionals achieve their goals in a globally competitive environment." The CEO of the Toronto Pictures emphasized that cinematic artists would represents the Continent in general, however associates of the Academy would have the opportunity to create a nucleus of great talent who can ultimately define the image of Africa for the world to know and better understand the continent.
He said the Academy's artistic mission was to elevate awareness and influence political and cultural consciousness globally, regarding issues of the moment, not only in Africa, but also to human rights internationally.
Based on a strong ethical modus operandi, Toronto Pictures' goal is to take advantage of the film facilities used without any exploitation whatsoever.
"Instead of just going to a place like Romania and Ghana to save money on filming, we aim to also empower those countries culturally and financially," Mr. Pischiutta noted
Toronto Pictures founded in 1996 is an internationally recognised production company committed to developing and marketing films that are financially viable without violence.
Targeting a global audience, Toronto Pictures address broad-based topical issues in a dramatic format often combined with documentary genre influences.
Now in partnership with International Film Properties, Inc., the Company is seeking to expand its operations by acquiring equity in selected entertainment industry-based agencies in Eastern Europe. The Ghana Film Academy was established through the collaborative efforts of Pastor Kingsley Sam Obed Obed, Director of the Institute.
