Aspiring filmmakers benefited from the Freetown Film Lab training on directing

Freetown | 20th December 2020 | Vertex Media

A week long ‘Directing’ training at the Freetown Film Lab on short films and documentary production has brought together 25 participants, mainly drawn from the film sector, seldom for the few, who hail from other sectors. The training ran from the 7th to 11th December, 2020. The just concluded lab training is the 3rd Freetown Film Lab training workshop put forth by the Freetown Media Centre with supports from the British Council and Nova Studios which aimed at enhancing participants’ skills in documentary and short film directing and other related skills. The previous two labs focused on script writing and photography respectively, which were also successful.

In a country with no or limited opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to excel in their crafts, the introduction of the Freetown Film Lab training was timely and highly needed to develop the skills capacities of filmmakers. Prior to this period, there were no training programs for filmmakers in Sierra Leone. The synergy between the Freetown Media Centre, the British Council and other partners is paying good dividends for the unsupported and unregulated film sector in the country. Through this partnership, Sierra Leonean and UK films and documentaries have benefited from annual film festivals between the two countries and beyond.

At the directing film lab, series of training sessions and practical works were introduced to help the participants have a better grasp of the concepts. The trainers also ensured the training was interactive and participatory. Most of the teachings were done virtually – through Zoom, by savvy filmmakers from Nova Studios, UK. Locally, the training was facilitated by the two indefatigable filmmakers from Freetown Media Centre, Bammy Boy Mansaray and Arthur Pratt.

Noticeably, the training attracted prominent entertainers from filmmaking music and other fileds. Key among them wer. Her passion and drive towards documentary ae Fantacee Wiz Kamara, one of Africa’s leading female folk singers and activists, prominent filmmakers and actresses Martha Macauley, Sia Comfort Nyukeh, entertainment journalist and blogger – Ibrahim Sorious Samura and a host of other prominent participants.

Fantacee expressed joy over participating on the training, which she says will boost her trade in her music and filmmaking careers. Likewise the 2nd Film Lab on photograph, her passion and drive towards filmmaking making is groundbreaking. This multi talented and multi award winning singer has beaten all the odds to be a tower figure in the fields she finds herself.

Sia Comfort Nyukeh also lamented on the importance of the to young filmmakers, especially those who lack the opportunity to acquire similar trainings. She noted that these are the types of trainings needed to support young talents out there in the streets. She appeals for more trainings and technical support from the British Council and other development partners .

Another prominent TV personality J.J Tucker was part of the lab training as a participant. He also lavished praises on Freetown Media Centre, the British Council and Nova Studios for empowering filmmakers with the requisite skills.

Other participants like Martha Macauley, Ibrahim Sorious Samura, Jamieu Bakarr, Joseph Amara and others were appreciative of the training opportunity given to them, and promised to utilize those skills very well.

The pioneers and facilitators at Freetown Media Centre – Arthur Pratt and Bammy Boy Mansaray were also satisfied with the participation from enthusiastic and determined filmmakers, promising the continuation of other labs in the next coming months.

Presentation of films created by groups during the training, and the presentation of certificates to all 25 participants climaxed the training workshop. As many returned home with quality skills on documentary and short film directing.