Taitu Woman Film Festival

Taitu Women’s Film Festival

The first assignment of the business is anticipated to be to conduct the first ever women’s film festival in Ethiopia, and perhaps in Africa. This is found below.


Draft outline for Concept note for the First Ethiopian Women’s Film Festival
Background
·         Background info about the situation of women in Ethiopia
·         Overview of media and women
·         Films and women
Rationale
·         Why women’s film festival?
o   Media as powerful tool shapes public opinion, behavior and action
o   Films- a growing industry in Ethiopia
o   Many films misrepresentation of women/ stereotypical portrayal of women
o   Implication-vast and far reaching
o   Set agenda, start the dialogue
o   Acknowledge gender responsive, socially responsible filmmaking
o   Acknowledge female producers, directors and fimmakers
o   Have a national panel discussion on the issues-to be broadcasted on national TV/EBS and possibly other foreign media
·         Establish support mechanisms to promote socially responsible and gender transformative filmmaking
o   Training on socially responsibleand gender transformative film making
o   Grants and seed funds for female filmmakers
o   Experience sharing on such with international festivals
·         Advocate for accountability and regulations in film making
Objectives
o   Set agenda to discuss and reflect on the misrepresentation of women/ stereotypical portrayal of women
o   Acknowledge and support socially responsibleand gender transformative film making
o   Establish support mechanisms to promote socially responsible and gender transformative filmmaking
o   Advocate for accountability and regulations in film making

Scope of the Festival
The film festival will have three broad categories.
1.      Feature films
Ethiopian, African and international feature films will be shown. The African and international films will usually be either produced/directed by female filmmakers or have strong gender equality themes. Films produced by female producers and directors will also be shown in the festival.

2.      Documentary Films
Ethiopian, African and international feature films will be shown. The documentary films will be those done on gender or women and girls issues.

3.      Panel discussion
The festival will also hold a panel discussion where seasoned women activists and influential women and men will be invited to discuss on selected films in Ethiopia from a gender perspective. Papers done on the matter will also be presented and discussed on the panel. The panel discussion will be broadcasted on the national television and possibly other channels to take the message out to many more.

Opening and Closing-with awards and way forward
The opening ceremony of the festival will be made through showcasing selected films, speeches by honorary guests (MOWA Minister or other influential figure). The opening and closing ceremony is anticipated to be conducted either at the National Theater or Edna Mall Cinema. Finally, the festival will be adjourned by a closing ceremony where socially responsible and gender responsive film makers as well as gender responsive female directors and producers will be acknowledged.
Selection of films
The film festival will use both traditional and social media to reach out to film makers and other stakeholders. The festival will also have its own website to promote the cause. Several filmmakers associations and avenues will also be contacted. Furthermore, a press conference will be made for the media to engage.
The festival will have a board and jury to closely monitor selection and use of the films. Furthermore, experiences of other similar film festivals will be explored and adapted to the local context.
Financing the Festival
·         Sponsors
·         Ticket sell
·         Selling branded stuff-bags, caps, mags…
Partners
The anticipated partners include, but not limited to:_
·         MoWCYA
·         Gender Directorates in different ministries
·         Ethiopian filmmakers
·         Ethiopian Film Initiative
·         Alatinos Filmmakers Association
·         Other Filmmakers Associations
·         UNEFIM, UNWOMEN, UNESCO, UNFPA
·         NEWA, EMWA
·         NGOs- CARE, OXFAM, SC…
·         Cinemas
·         African Female Filmmakers
·         International Female Film Festivals
·         AAU-IGS
·         ACWS-Ewha Women’s University
·         FEMNET
·         Media-TV, Print and Social Media
Governance
The following people are anticipated to play the role of Board and Jury
·         Ambassador Tadelech
·         W/o MeazaAshenafi
·         W/o Meaza (Sheger Radio)
·         EMWA-Chair
·         W/o Maria

·         W/o Latifa

No comments:

Post a Comment