Russian and African filmmakers sign a Cooperation Memorandum

On Sunday 15 May, the first international filmmaker's session ended in the Republic of Senegal. Renowned Russian filmmakers passed on their experience to young filmmakers of the African continent. The participants spent five intense days in Dakar.

The session concluded with the signing of an agreement memorandum for partnership and cooperation between the The S.A. Gerasimov All-Russian Institute of Cinematography and National School of Arts of the Republic of Senegal.

The memorandum is valid for two years. During this time, the parties will promote student exchange programmes, and subsequently faculty exchanges too, conduct joint research and symposiums.

The session included screenings of short films by young directors from Russia and African countries. Audiences saw award-winning works from the VGIK International Student Festival, including films that won the Grand Prix. For example, Viktor Salimyanov's "The Killer" was screened by the Russian party and Nigerian director's Olive Nwosu's "Troublemaker" was screened by the African party.

Young filmmakers from South Africa, Nigeria and Sudan also took part in the session.

"Masters of VGIK with their films and the films by young Russian authors are here because audiences in African countries today are not familiar with Russian cinematography. Our task is to make the introduction happen and make it more successful, thoughtful and lasting," said Fyodor Popov, General Director of the "VGIK-Debut" Production Centre, director, producer and one of the organisers of the session.

Teachers at Russia's main film school, the S.A. Gerasimov All-Russian Institute of Cinematography, presented their films and held master classes:

– Director of photography Denis Alarkon: “The role of the cameraman in the stylistic decision of the film on the example of the film “Jumpman”;

- Art director Sergey Ivanov: "The magical world of cinema. The artist as creator", using the film "Tsar" as an example;

 - Producer, director, screenwriter Fyodor Popov: "Peculiarities of making a military-historical film. Creative aspects of a producer's work, production aspects of a director's work" on the example of the film "Convoy 48";

- Director Fyodor Popov and artist Sergey Ivanov on the example of the film "It's OK, Mum!" (joint masterclass).

The first international film session was organised by "Innopraktika" non-governmental development institute and the "VGIK-Debut" Production Centre. The session was held within the framework of the "Global Values" international project by the "Innopraktika" company.