This workshop was initiated in 2007. It was so successful that we made it an integral component of the festival. So far, twelve short films have been produced giving unique insights into how young people perceive Ghana’s environmental challenges. Support for this component of the festival this year, has come from the Danish Centre for Culture and Development, Denmark and the Australian High Commission in Ghana.

While presenting a fabulous selection of films on environmental and social issues, the festival has increasingly identified the role of young people making videos about their own environmental concerns, in public outreach.

This year, EFFA’s Young Film Makers workshop has once again produced some exciting video shorts looking at the environment through the eyes of young people. It is also the occassion for a unique collaboration with Buster Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth and Ananseman Playhouse. Projects taking place in both Ghana and Denmark include creative workshops and exchange of films and personnel.

Sixteen young students from schools across the capital gathered at the Creative Storm Studios and over three weeks of intense immersion in story telling, acting and film craft learned how to bring their stories about the environment to life.

The workshop participants have come from the following schools in Accra; Association International Community  School, He Reigns International School, Dansoman A & B Community Basic School, Presec Basic Staff School, St. Mary’s Girls Basic School.

The films produced during this year workshop include:

The Rap: Three friends rap about life, misunderstanding and dishonesty.

Issa Burns Tyres : Issa burns car tyres for the copper wires in them.
An old man advises him that the work is bad.

The News at 6pm: From EFFA studios, the town of Asem Beba has polluted it’s only drinking water; the river Nframa and there is an outbreak of cholera.

Kojo the Miner and the forest called Gon: A hapless farmer finds gold whilst weeding his farm!

Dede and the Mosquito: A dance drama about how a successful kenkey seller neglects to keep her surrounding clean.