By Ogova Ondego
Published December 12, 2010

A film made by children at the third annual Lola Kenya Screen audiovisual media festival, skill-development mentorship programme and market for children and youth in eastern Africa, has been selected for screening in Bogota, Colombia, in December 2010.

MANANI OGRES screens on December 13 and 16, 2010 in the “Path`s on earth I” programme of the 3rd International Art Film Festival (III Festival Internacional De CineArte Para Ninas Y Ninos) in Bogota.

The director of the festival, Stephanie Rueckoldt, says they work with international Short films produced by and for children and also with films made for children by adults.

“We screen to colombian, mostly poor children, without any entrance fee, films that talk about a peaceful way to be happy with oneself, the people, animals and plants around us, about ancient stories and dreams of children that can change the world in a positive way,” she stresses.

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“Our Festival takes place from the 12th to the 19th of December 2010 in the Museum of Modern Art in Bogota and will reach about 1500 boys and girls.”

One of three-film and three-song compilation dubbed AFRICAN FOLK TALES ANIMATED, MANANI OGRES was made in 2007 by Joseph Hongo, Marcus Joseph,Norick Joseph,and Samuel Musembi under the guidance of Maikki Kantola of Finland. The message of the five-minute animation film is that vigilance is important. But where it fails, drumming, music and dance have to be employed. The film demonstrates the power music has on every living thing, including human-eating ogres.

The other films on the compilation are THE WISE BRIDE (made by Alexandria Ngini, Aysha Satchu, Layla Satchu and Flora Wanjiru) and LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS (made by Samora Michelle Oundo, Adede Hawi NyOdero and Karama K Ogova). While the former is about who carries the day when more than one suitor competes for the favour of a beautiful girl, the latter exposes the dangers posed to any one who pretends to be a smart aleck.

Meanwhile, Lola Kenya Screen is is calling for films and Skill-development mentorship programme participants for her sixth annual event that runs August 08-13, 2011.

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Lola Kenya Screen ‘a charity based in Nairobi, Kenya’ accepts films made by children, youth, amateurs, students, and professionals that focus on children, youth and family.

Experimental films, television series, video games and even creatively packaged music videos tackling issues related to children, youth and family and that provide strong role models to children and youth while speaking positively to children of diverse backgrounds are accepted.

Selected films are showcased under various categories with those starring children between ages of 6-13 competing for the prestigious Lola Kenya Screen Golden Mboni award for the best children’s film and those featuring children above 14 years competing for the Lola Kenya Screen 14-Plus Prize for the best youth film.

While the Golden Mboni has been awarded since 2006, the 14-Plus award was inaugurated in 2009.

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All entries submitted must be suitable for children ages 13 and under, youth aged 14-25 years, or family (25+).

Films are received till April 15, 2011.

Downloadable film entry details ‘submission form and regulation in PDF format’ are online at lolakenyascreen.org

Skill-Development
Lola Kenya Screen is also calling upon children and youth who are interested in filmmaking, creative journalism, critical appreciation of film, and organisation and presentation of cultural events to apply for participation in her skill-development mentorship programmes during the 6th Lola Kenya Screen.

Selected candidates will serve on the Film Selection Committee, Film Jury, Festival Press, Programme Planning and Presentation (MCs), and Film Production Workshop.

Ideal applicants must be aged 6-16 years old (9-18 years for production workshop), both knowledgeable and interested in audio-visual media works and must have the ability to understand, speak and write in English besides thinking, typing and submitting between 500 and 1200-word articles on the activities at the festival daily (for film press). Additionally, candidates must be ready to work under strict deadlines and should be supported by their parents/guardians.

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Interested children and youth must ‘themselves’ write an application letter, including the following:
– Intention
– Expectations
– School
– Age
– Email address
– Telephone, preferably cell/mobile, contact
– Physical address
– Letter of permission from parent/guardian

Successful applicants will be guided through the skills of appreciating and judging films, reporting on events, and planning and presenting of creative and cultural events, and in the making of film by international experts.

Applications are to be sent to:
The Director
Lola Kenya Screen
Philadelphia House, 4th Floor
Tom Mboya Street/Hakati Road
P O Box 20775-00100 GPO
Nairobi, Kenya (EA)
Tel 254 20 315258/2213318
Cel 254 733 703374 and 254 722 486531
Email: director@lolakenyascreen.org

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Parents and guardians are requested to assist their children in applying for this opportunity that seeks to explore, identify and nurture their creative talent and potential and gives them international exposure. An equal opportunity organisation, Lola Kenya Screen offers ‘as in the previous four editions’ are made on the ‘first-come-first-served’ basis.
The deadline for application is April 15, 2011 at 5.00 PM EAT (14.00 hours GMT/UTC).