UNESCO and Mediavision Academy kick off online training in filmmaking fundamentals for culture

 

 

Kampala, 9 August 2023 – Mediavision Academy in partnership with Uganda National Commission for UNESCO kicked off a 12-week online training in filmmaking fundamentals for culture.  The training that aims at promoting and protecting cultural Diversity particularly the development of Film and Audio-Visual sector, brings together 200 participants from all parts of Uganda.

Robert Nkambo, director at Mediavision Academy and one of the facilitators of the training, expresses his satisfaction at the end of the orientation session: “Empowering young people with knowledge and skills in filmmaking and content creation/development will help them become better stewards of our culture.”

UNESCO's support for this training project comes at a very crucial moment as the debate on the creation of multimedia content, its dissemination and sharing is now the framework for the Uganda Communications Commission, which is the government regulatory body of the communications sector in Uganda.  Daniel Kaweesi, programme officer at the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, is of the view that the promotion and transmission of the cultural heritage through film remains one of the best ways to protect and safeguard the Uganda’s cultural heritage.

The 12-week course will result in empowering participants with critical thinking and professional skills, and the attitude to deliver a range of film projects with a bias of culture and heritage to their intended audiences.  Annet Aloyo, director of studies and tutor at Mediavision Academy, challenges participants to change the game, think strategically about how best to promote “our own culture” in order to preserve it for the benefit of future generation.

Participants will be exposed to a variety of topics related to cinema studies, screen writing, cinematography, video editing and cultural heritage.  A combination of training methods including but not limited to instructor-led online lectures via zoom, demonstrations, hands-on sessions, role plays and discussions will be used to ensure full participation of learners.

“On behalf of Bugwere Kingdom, I wish to appreciate the management of filmmaking fundamentals for considering us for this opportunity,” wrote Sam Laaki on an ad hoc participant WhatsApp group bringing together all participants, instructors and administrators as a central communication platform where communications concerning the courses are being exchanged.   

This training project, funded by UNESCO, is fully in line with the overall mandate of this specialized United Nations agency that seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

 

“That is going to be our job, it is Mediavision Academy’s job to implement this amazing opportunity UNESCO has handed over on a silver plate to Ugandans, most specifically to filmmakers to use our stories to promote and preserve our very old culture” said Annet Aloyo, who is one of the facilitators of the training.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in education with Arts from Makerere University, and Diploma in Mass communication from UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication – Kampala.