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Ghana street children learn film skills

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:54

MARTIN CHEMHERE writes…A Ghanaian initiative is bringing hope to previously disadvantaged youths through a film training programme that takes place each summer.

In September the Akosia Street Academy showcased two short films from a list of shorts made in Accra this year.   

Each year the organisation takes in over 40 underprivileged youths for a six week stint in filmmaking skills.

Since 2008 six short films have been completed, including Making the Show which screened at the Africa in Motion Film festival in Edinburgh in 2010. The film tells the story of two children trying to make it to the biggest dance show of the year in which they are dancing as part of a troupe. 

Maria Schofeld of Akosia states that her organisation gives underprivileged street children in Accra the chance to learn how to make a film - something that the majority of these children have not had the chance to do before.   

“We teach the children the basics of filmmaking and they then use these skills to direct, write, act in, shoot and edit their own films,” she explains.

Over 200 children have gone through the program since it started.



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