JACMEL, Haiti – Nigerian film industry veteran Tunde Kelani, traveled to Haiti last week to teach aspiring young Haitian filmmakers the fundamentals of successful low budget film production. Since 2008, Mr. Kelani has been actively engaged in advising the Caribbean nation on how to build a sustainable local video film industry modeled after the successes of Nigeria’s own booming industry.
During the course of his two week stay in Haiti, his second voyage there in the past year, Kelani held multiple screenings and discussions, taught a six day intensive training workshop for young producers, led strategic planning sessions and chaired a multi day public comparative forum and development seminar around Nigerian and Haitian production models. Hosted by Ciné Institute of Jacmel, Haiti’s only film school, the visit was widely considered a great success, drawing enthusiastic response from participants.
“Tunde’s unparalleled experience and talent has been influential since our inception, teaching and inspiring us all – students and program administrators alike,” said David Belle, Founder of Haiti’s Ciné Institute. “We are extremely grateful to have his ongoing guidance and support in our quest to create both jobs and entertainment through much needed growth a local industry here.”
Mr Kelani’s involvement with the Haitian film industry first began in early 2008 just as Belle was in the process of forming the Institute. The two men were introduced by Cameron Bailey, Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, and Belle soon called Kelani seeking guidance in shaping teaching curriculum’s and development strategies. Mr Kelani immediately agreed and was soon on his first trip to Haiti to consult with Institute administrators and to teach the first ever Producers workshop here.
“There is so much talent, goodwill and cultural wealth in Haiti,” says Mr Kelani. “I see very real opportunity to use film as a vehicle for economic improvement in the lives of Haitian youth. And, unlike so much of the Nigerian Industry, these young filmmakers are actually receiving a strong film education and training foundation. They will be well prepared to bring this dream to life.”
Ciné Institute’s training program is a two-year intensive curriculum open to 50 students. Admissions are highly competitive. Qualifying graduates are offered co-production possibilities with the Institute, which provides the necessary equipment, production studios and a percentage of financing to produce the best films. The first feature films to be released mid 2010 will be made for less than $10,000 USD and distributed domestically in Haiti and then ultimately to the diaspora and West Africa.
A co-production of a feature film between the Ciné Institute and Mr Kelani and Nigeria associates is currently in development.
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rommel
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... Nice one, Haitians have ancestral links with Yorubas and I bet there will also be some links reestablished along that line too. Kelani should be wise enough to learn about Zoe Pound politics in Haiti before stepping on Haitian soil again (lol)...Rip Zoe! |
Elmango Meat
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... Nigeria and Nigerians have what it takes to succeed. Kelani is a good example, despite all the adversities in present day Nigeria. Nigerian industry has created a new paradigm for the industry. If only Nigerian leadership can match the aspirations,inspirations and hardwork ethos of the common man by providing the necessary infrastructure and secure environment, Nigeria would have been out there, in the forefront amongst the comity of Nations. PDP AND ITS POLITICIANS DO NOT AND CAN'T GET IT! |
IDE MUDIAN
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... THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA HAVE ALWAYS EXCELLED...PROF. SOYINKA, ACHEBE, GANI, FELA et all. THE PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN WITH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC ANGLE.....THOSE WHO RIGGED ELECTIONS AND HAVE HELD THE NATION HOSTAGE. WE KNOW THEM! NOLLYWOOD'S SUCCESS IS COS ITS FROM THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE......NOT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. 'ONE DAY GO BE ONE DAY'- FELA ANIKULAPO-KUTI |
Adeniyi Fadahunsi
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... CNN,BBC,VOA,OPRAH WINFREY, SONNY, and many other agencies or people or countries will never see the good works a Nigerian is doing now. They only point at the bad ones and label all Nigerians as fraudsters and email scammers. Thumbs up for big brother Tunde Kelani. |
OPC
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... And some idiots from Kenya were running down NOllywood with their shortsightedness about the success of Nigerian film industry. Good work Kelani. We need investment in the industry and government should open up the industry for international investment, it will surprise us what Nigerian can earn from such investment in terms of foreign currency. |
