Africa Creative Market 2024: US Consulate to fly, train more Nigerians on filming
By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
Global creatives have assembled to innovate a path in the creative market at the Africa Creative Market 2024. This comes as the United States Consulate General in Lagos calls for more Nigerians to be flown to the US in order to bagg professional trainings on filming.
Details of this was conveyed at the 5day Africa Creative Market 2024, held in Lagos from Tuesday to Friday last week. According to the Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General Lagos, Julie McKay, while expressing immense excitement at the level of discussions and activities emerging from the Africa Creative Market 2024. She noted that as a sponsor to the event for three years, US has continued to see a lasting relationship with the Nigeria market. “For 50 years, Lagos and Atlanta have been sister cities.” she said.
Julie disclosed that her remark was based on three points, stating, “The US government supports women and widows, we want to see women succeed because we know that industries are stronger when women succeed. We also know the creative economy drives economic development so we are here supporting them.”
Also, she expressed that US have some special opportunities for public private partnerships in capacity building. “I believe the film industry contributes vastly to the Nigerian economy. Year 2009 was the very first time a woman won an Award as the best Director in the filming industry.” McKay siad, emphasizing on the structured conversation of the day and value achieved, she stressed her optimism for the filming industry in Africa.
Meanwhile, Julie indicated that there are 7 programs the Consulate embarks on, amongst which are partnerships and capacity building. She enumerated, “So there are three things that have happened recently; internship in international visitors leadership program in creative industry, we also started the Africa Creative television Program, and for young aspiring students who want to get into the filming industry, we have a program through which we take students to the college for a year to learn more about script screen process.” She disclosed that the training is free with tickets and flying expenses to US covered.
However, representing the Television Industry, Founder and Trainer at Strictly Speaking Ltd, Bimbo Oloyede expressed her address which is based on “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. In a bid to expantiate on this, Oloyede made reference to a quote by Magaret Hamilton,. “Looking back, we were the luckiest people in the world, there was no choice than to be pioneers, no time to be beginners”.
She therefore explained that, picking from yesterday she had to note women who pioneered the television industry in Nigeria. For the records, she listed; Mrs Agbaje Williams, first woman on tv as a presenter and newsreader; Chief Julie Coker; Mrs Stella Awani; Mrs Bukky Ajayi; Chief Mrs Ibidun Allyson; and her humble self, Bimbo Oloyede being the ninth on the list.
Noting that the women whose names were listed held prime positions in the television industry. This, she said, “Brings us to tomorrow”, with a quote by Oprah Winfred, Mrs Bimbo spelt out her CHARGE as; Collaboration, Harness, Action, Resolute, Ginger and Excellence. She stated that there are enormous advantages of independent professional collaboration, enumerating that it enhances productivity and helps in knowledge sharing amongst other benefits. “A drop doesn’t make an ocean”, she said, pointing the relevance of collaboration in harnessing technology and getting the best from the film industry in today’s age.
Furthermore, the first pannel session of the Market was anchored on the topic; ‘Structure, Technology, and Infrastructure- Where are we and what do we need? Which had Chisom Mbonu, Jade Osiberu, Mildred Okwo, Mansurah Isah and Belinda Yanga as Panelists channelling inquantiable intelligence and value to the audience.
Speaking in respect to challenges encountered by people when applying for grants or funds for filming, the Managing Director, The Audrey Silver Company, Mildred Okwo advised that such applicants must study the criteria setted by the establishment, to know the kind of story or message such organization are pressing to let out. “Prepare a pitch and make research on the kind of producers you will be working with, tell a bit about yourself and why you want to tell the story. Also, inform the organization on what they can get as returns on the investment.
However, Picking a problem in networking, Actor and Film maker, Belinda Yanga advised that such applicants must also master how to network and how to introduce and pass a consized message within a short time frame. She elucidated, “You can also create a check- it -out on your phone because people like visuals, hence it could help you connect.” She added.
Finally, In her closing remark, the President, Forum for Women in Film and Tv Nigeria, Joke Silva, revealed how the sessions have been very impactful, noting the turn out of the event being glamorous and impressive, hence, she lauded all team members who made the program a success and urged all participants to be reminded of the take home from the Market, advising all to utilize and leverage the new ideas and things learnt as a platform to forge ahead in their filming career.
Founded by Dr. Inya Lawal, an alumna of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership program, the Africa Creative Market brings together stakeholders from African and international creative industries to exchange ideas and explore innovations to accelerate the growth of Africa’s creative economy.
