Lê Ti Beäfrica, an association focused on supporting young people in cinema and culture, has launched a new initiative for emerging filmmakers in the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and the Central African Republic. The initiative, called “Ecrire à Bangui,” which translates to “Writing in Bangui,” aims to provide foundational skills in screenwriting, especially for novice filmmakers, to support the rise of African filmmaking in the region.
According to Pascale Appora Gnekindy, Director and Programme Manager for Lê Ti Beäfrica, the workshop is crucial for anyone looking to enter the film industry, as scriptwriting is the first step in filmmaking.
The rigorous workshop, lasting about a month, is designed for eligible filmmakers over 19 years old who are proficient in French. The requirements for registration and participation include a cover letter, a detailed bio, a film idea of three pages maximum, a certificate of nationality, and photos of the candidate.
The workshop will be held in two phases in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic: a writing phase from July 5 to July 20, followed by a post-production phase from July 29 to August 3. Participants will leave with at least a short film script created in pairs. Lê Ti Beäfrica will offer year-long support to help participants further develop their scripts, providing them with a tangible project that can open career opportunities.
Overall, the “Writing in Bangui” workshop is an excellent opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to gain foundational screenwriting skills, enhancing their ability to enter the film industry and succeed in their careers.