Freetown Film Labs is a British Council programme aimed at supporting young and emerging filmmakers to development their skills in producing short, high quality films. The long term purpose of the programme is the creation of jobs opportunities and prosperity in Sierra Leone. The program is being delivered by Freetown Media Centre (Sierra Leone) and Nova Studios (UK). Due to the COVID 19 travel restrictions, the labs were all partial online delivery with Nova Studios, who delivered all their sessions successfully via zoom.
LAB 1
The Scriptwriting and Storytelling Lab is the first in the series of five Freetown Film Labs. This lab focuses solely on scriptwriting and storytelling for short form documentary and commercial film production only. The lab trains 25 young filmmakers ages 18 -35 through an open call application process
Lab 2
The Audio-Visual and Storytelling Lab is the second of the series of five Freetown Film Labs. This lab focuses solely on developing audio-visual and storytelling skills for short form documentary and commercial film production only.
Lab 3
The Film Directing Lab is the third in the series of five, which focuses on directing short–form documentary and commercial films. Participants work in groups, pitch and refine their ideas, learn and discuss their methods, before shooting and editing a complete 3-minutes, all within the space of five days. Participants learn about developing ideas and pitching, pre-production planning, working as part of a crew, interview techniques, visual storytelling, working with sound, editing, structuring their production company, building client or commissioner relationships and more.
Lab 4 (All Female Film lab)
The all female Audio-Visual and Storytelling Lab is the fourth lab, the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. This lab was designed for emerging female filmmakers (1-3 years’ experience) with a strong interest in documentary and commercial film production. The film industry is a predominantly male dominated space. The All Female Lab was a strategic initiative to help female film-makers find their footing. This lab attracted women within Freetown ages 18 – 50, targeting physically challenged women.
Lab 5
The Film Editing Lab is the fifth of the five Freetown Film Labs and focuses on editing short-form documentary and commercial films. Participants work in groups, pitch and refine their ideas, learn and discuss their methods before shooting and editing a complete 3-minutes,all within the space of five days. Participants learnt about developing ideas and pitching, pre-production planning, working as part of a crew, interview techniques, visual storytelling, working with sound, editing, structuring a production company, building client or commissioner relationships and more.
