Africa First - FilmInFocus

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Africa First 2010 Winners

Africa First 2009 Winners

What is Africa First?

The Africa First short film program is sponsored by Focus Features, and will award five (5) emerging African filmmakers $10,000.00 (ten thousand U.S. dollars) each towards pre-production, production, or post-production of their short film.

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Africa First News

THIRD-YEAR WINNERS OF FOCUS FEATURES’
AFRICA FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCED;
$10,000 FOR SHORT FILMS AWARDED TO CHIKA ANADU, LEV DAVID, JACQUELINE KALIMUNDA, EBELE OKOYE, JULIUS ONAH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, October 12^th, 2010 – Focus Features’ Africa First Program for short films, the worldwide film company’s initiative earmarked exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, has for a third consecutive year awarded five filmmakers $10,000 apiece. The five selected were announced today by Focus Features CEO James Schamus.

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Arts and Culture

Durban, South Africa Sets the Stage for “Otelo Burning”, Premiering in NYC Tomorrow
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Otelo Burning is a beautiful, coming-of-age drama by award-winning filmmaker Sara Blecher. The South African feature film presents a gripping story of township kids as they discover surfing - a newfound freedom through water.

The Top 5 African Games
Friday, October 19, 2012
These days, “child’s play” seems to be about online gaming, from Playstations to Nintendos. But many might recall the days when children congregated outdoors, playing their favourite games in the street.

Strengthening Burundi Through Partnership and Good Governance
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Burundi is quickly becoming one of East Africa’s development success stories.

Exclusive Extras! M.I. On His Wish For Nigeria
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Want more after watching Africa Straight Up? Check out the first in our series of exclusive footage from our interview with Nigerian rapper M.I. who is featured in Africa.com\'s Africa Straight Up

Exclusive Extras! LIRA On What Africa Has To Offer
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Want more after watching Africa Straight Up? Africa.com is offering Lira fans the chance to check out more clips from our exclusive interview with her.

Common History, Common Future
Monday, October 01, 2012
If there is one thing to learn from Africa’s history, it is the fact that whatever happens in one part of the continent ultimately has significant repercussions for the others.

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At-A-Glance

The Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program supports films that aspire to artistic excellence and accomplished storytelling, and substantially contribute to the development of local film industries. Award recipients of the 2010 Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program can use award money received from Africa First to complete initial production and to pay for post-production costs such as laboratory fees, sound mixing, and editing.

Filmmakers selected as award recipients of the 2010 Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program will have the unique opportunity to participate in a three-day workshop in New York City hosted by the Focus Features Africa First Advisory Board. During the summit, the filmmakers will receive firsthand exposure to the inner workings of studio development, finance, marketing, and distribution; and participate in one-on-one sessions with the Focus Features Advisory Board members aimed at providing practical assistance to filmmakers as they produce their films. The summit weekend may also include activities such as screenings, networking receptions, a personalized guided tour of New York City, and a trip to a Broadway show.

Africa First Summit Weekend 2010 will be held from November 4 through November 8.