[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ccelerate Filmmaker Project is an initiative of Accelerate TV, powered by Access Bank, created to train, empower and give a platform to young enthusiastic filmmakers between the ages of 18 -29 to actualize their filmmaking dreams.

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The 2023 edition of the AFP training week incorporates a host of well-known industry professionals and heavyweights who work both in front and behind the scenes, including Judith Audu, Joke Silva, Theo Ukpaa, Kenneth Gyang, Chris Odeh, Xavier Oghorodje, Tolu Ajayi, Tunji Afolanya, Steve Sodiya, Dianne Russet, and more to ensure the trainees get a well-rounded understanding of the filmmaking ecosystem.

Ukpaa had an incisive two hours session at the Accelerate TV conference classes in Victoria Island, his teachings to the young filmmakers was focused on how you can apply creative and intelligence means to making an excellent film designed to sweep awards in film festivals all over the world.

“I haven’t met a filmmaker yet who doesn’t want to make a festival worthy film. But the process of finding and selecting an appropriate film festival is time-consuming and expensive. Getting your film accepted by an international film festival can be fun – and can really help with the distribution of your film. Acceptance to the right kind of festival can stamp ‘quality independent film’ all over your film and your independent film career” Theo emphasized.

The AFRIFF COO also went on to narrate that a film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors. Films may be of recent date and, depending upon the festival’s focus, can include international and domestic releases.

The first Film Festival was in Venice in 1938. Today there are over 500 major international film festivals, and thousands of local, niche, and intermittent ones.

Commenting on the return of the Accelerate Film Maker Project, Head of Accelerate, Colette Otusheso commented: “We are excited to be bringing back the instalment of our award-winning capacity building and mentoring project, The Accelerate Filmmaker Project in partnership with Access Bank and AFRIFF. This year we will be training and empowering more young people and throwing in some big surprises along the way. The AFP is all about training and empowering young people while giving them the skills, tools, access and a stepping stone to realise their dreams and bring their stories to life.”

Ukpaa has just returned from the Cannes International film festival in far away France, in time for the Accelerate classes. When asked about plans for AFRIFF this year, he mentioned that Africa is yet to experience the greatest film gathering yet at this year’s festival. “So many interesting programs lined up and so many new international partners are coming on board but we are not ready to let the cat out of the bag yet; announcements will be made soon” … Theo says.
The Africa International Film Festival – AFRIFF is Africa’s most vibrant film festival experience. AFRIFF consistently delivers an energetic and exciting hub of reel people making reel connections and has gradually built a reputation for delivering real value. The festival this year will hold from 5-11 November 2023. Ukpaa closed announcing that some of the best students from the Accelerate Filmmaker project AFP will have their films screen at AFRIFF this year. A great achievement for the budding students and the project.

Theo Ukpaa has been consistent with mentoring young entrepreneurs from all walks of life with the purpose of raising the next generation of young leaders who will shape a better African continent.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.