The Lagos State Government plans to teach approximately 600 creative practitioners in the state in collaboration with Africa Film Academy (AFA), a premier organization that trains and fosters creativity across Africa.
Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, revealed this at a joint press conference with Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (MFR), the Founder and CEO of Africa Film Academy (AFA), in Lagos.
She explained that the training was created as a skill set program for the Creative Industry, with 600 practitioners being trained as part of the Lagos State Creative Industry (LACI) initiative of the Ministry.
LACI, according to Akinbile-Yussuf, was established to further reposition the Lagos State creative sector to grow tourism, arts, and culture for maximum impact, as well as to showcase Lagos State to the world while addressing skills shortages in the creative business.
She said: “We are using the Creative Sector to expand the very concept of tourism as a whole, driving a shift from conventional models of heritage-based cultural tourism to new models of creative tourism centred on contemporary creativity, innovation and intangible content”
LACI’s aim, according to the Commissioner, is to promote tourism as a viable economic sector that will enhance, promote, and protect the richness, quality, and unique aspects of Lagos by leveraging the state’s abundant natural resources, diverse culture, and legacy.
“We are also leveraging on the potentials in the creative sector to stimulate economic growth and job creation, support innovation and entrepreneurship, aid urban and rural regeneration, and stimulate exports”, she added.Maintaining that the capacity building initiative will further increase opportunities in both the tourism and creative industries, Akinbile-Yussuf affirmed that Lagos still remains the Creative Capital for Entertainment, Culture and Tourism in Africa.
She promised that the Sanwo-Olu administration will use its relationship with Africa Film Academy, a renowned movie award organiser in Africa with a 17-year track record of success in cinema, to help the state’s Creative Industry bridge the talent gap.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe stated in her remarks that Africa Film Academy (AFA) will use its years of experience to train the trainees and prepare them for employment.
She went on to say that participants will be taught through a hands-on, in-service training method so that they can gain the knowledge they need to succeed in the field.
In her words: “This training programme is in line with our organisation’s flagship project ‘100 Film Project’, which is aimed at training, supporting and providing jobs for young creative individuals across Africa”.
“Therefore, as an organisation, we will leverage our previous experience, which has seen us train over 10,000 participants across different cities in Africa in over two decades. Thus, participants will have the opportunity to learn from our faculties, who are industry experts and professionals, throughout their training period”, she stated.
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In Alimosho, Badagry, and Epe, representing the three senatorial districts of Lagos State, the Africa Film Academy will give a six-week free intensive instruction on acting, art direction, light and lighting, sound production, and post production.
A minimum of an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and a Higher National Diploma (HND) are necessary for participation in the Directing class.
Interested Alimosho residents with a passion for creativity and a valid LASSRA number are encouraged to register online between June 2 and June 10, 2022, as the flag-off is slated for June 8, 2022, and sessions will begin on June 10, 2022, for the first round of intakes.
However, applicants in Badagry and Epe will be able to register online between June 10 and June 30, 2022.
To register, applicants are to visit https://www.africafilmacademy.com/film-in-a-box-lagos.