Young artists win laurels at Bɛnpaali Young Filmmakers' Festival

Young, creative artists received various awards of merit at the climax of the maiden BÉ›npaali Young Filmmakers’ Festival.

The artists, ages 15 to 30, had an historic opportunity to exhibit their works to both local and foreign audience members and have their entries judged by a team comprised of youth, artists and academics.

All participants enjoyed film screenings and networking with more seasoned artists.

Bɛnpaali (connoting a new dawn in the Language of the Builsa people) was organized by Firebeads Media in partnership with the Department of Archaeology & Heritage Studies (School of Arts, College of Humanities, University of Ghana), NAFTI and the United States Embassy.

Despite the vagaries of the weather BÉ›npaali managed to fill seats and make a great first impression. On a ‘Graffiti Wall’ posted to capture participants’ feedback, it was observed that one person wrote, “You are a voice to young filmmakers,” and another that BÉ›npaaliis a ‘Great idea that will transform Ghana’s cinema to do better.’

BÉ›npaali opened at the University of Ghana with the screening of selected short films submitted to the Festival under the theme Stories That Matter and including a story of about hiplife and an animated story about okpo (pidgeon) hunting. A vibrant keynote discussion on the Festival’s theme took place between US filmmaker, Loira Limbal and Prof. Kodzo Gavua of the University of Ghana.

Then participants attended highly interactive workshops led by Jim Awindor of NAFTI and Ivan Quashigah, the creator of The Things We Do for Love and Farmhouse Productions.The first day closed with a premiere screening in Ghana of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution , a new film produced by Firelight Media where Ms. Limbal is Vice President.

Day two opened with another premiere screening featuring a film by Ms. Limbal, Estilo Hip Hop , that traces the lives of musicians from Cuba, Chile and Brasil. Esther Armah of The Spin radio show, LaureneAbdallah of NAFTI, Kofi Asamoah ( Kalybos in China ) and Team1000Words led the second round of workshops. Team1000Words did double duty by providing live streaming throughout the Festival and by creating the Bɛnpaali website.

Highlighting the second day were more screenings of youth films. One tackled the dangers of being addicted to texting. Another documented the struggles of a young girl working hard to fulfill her dream to become a doctor so she can bring life and health to her deprived rural community.

The documentary detailed her day-to-day activities and gave viewers a glimpse of the power of light in the midst of darkness: a metaphor encapsulated in a kerosene lantern called Kadi (and the film’s name) which is central to the young lady’s ability to fulfill her aspirations.

Others featured the true story of a shoemaker, an imagined misunderstanding about a meeting between a young woman and her boss, and story about the tension between traditional and modern ways. In all over 20 films were entered into the Festival.

The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) played host to BÉ›npaali Awards that climaxed the Festival. Rather than a competition, awards were presented in recognition of filmmakers’ achievement and potential. To emphasize the BÉ›npaali’s mission to connect heritage and art, awards were given in the name of some of Ghana’s notable leaders and pacesetters.

Francis Yushau Brown won the YaaAsentewaa Award for Blazing New Paths for his animated film about theEwélegend, Agorkokli . The Theodosia Okoh Award for National Unity went to Fiona WorlanyoAnsah for her funny but very real depiction of the lack of indoor plumbing in Dear Valentine . Fofo Gavua’s film, Sophie , an exploration of what it means to be human, won the Kwame Nkrumah award for Visionary Creativity.

BÉ›npaali festival is a novel new event that enjoyed the participation of many enthusiastic young artists and film lovers who described it as inspired, insightful, and educative. One said, “I think it’s a great idea and can’t wait for the next edition.” BÉ›npaali is here to stay.

The awards for the winners were donated by Starlite, Labadi Beach Hotel, Shakes and Flavours and Firelight Media.