ICAPA Trust hosts advanced Scriptwriting Workshop in Harare

ICAPA Trust’s Equal Voices Workshop in Harare combines expert-led script development training with practical film industry engagement, providing African filmmakers with the tools and experience to elevate their craft.

The International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF), courtesy of ICAPA Trust, has this week commenced the much anticipated Equal Voices Story and Script Development Workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Equal Voices Story and Script Development Workshop which runs from 12 to 31 August in Harare is the third edition of ICAPA Trust's script development workshops, with the two previous events having been held in Dakar and Lagos. Facilitated by Germany-based Austrian and Swiss film analysts and dramaturgs, Gabriele C. Sindler & Donat F. Keusch, the workshop focuses on the craft of story development as a prelude to scriptwriting before delving into the process of adapting the written story to the screen. With participants from across the African continent and from Europe, the workshop offers a unique opportunity for aspiring African women filmmakers to sharpen their story and script development skills.

Beginning with the viewing and analysis of selected films, including cinematic classics such as PARASITE (South Korea 2019) and CHINATOWN (USA, 1974), the workshop engages with a range of other topics such as understanding the difference between story and plot, and the different forces that act in a film through the characters depicted. Finally, this knowledge is applied to the participants' own projects, which comprise six Zimbabwean short films and eight long fiction films. Ms Sindler noted that the most common mistake among filmmakers is neglecting script development, which is the key component of a good film. She highlighted the workshop’s role in addressing these gaps through a collaborative learning model saying, “It is very important to not only learn from the facilitators but from each other.”

Local filmmaker, Shem Zemura, emphasized the need for more local filmmakers to have access to workshops of this kind saying, “We are hoping ICAPA does more of these workshops.” While stating that the sector lacks adequate formal education in filmmaking, hence local filmmakers only scratch the surface when writing their stories, Mr Zemura encouraged local filmmakers to strive to cross the borders with their stories.

Another local filmmaker, Naishe Nyamubaya, shared his enthusiasm about the workshop, stating that he had attended more than six workshops of this kind but had always had to leave the country to do so. He praised this initiative from ICAPA Trust as a great development, and was proud to announce that in February next year, he will be shooting the film that got him into this workshop.

Algerian film director, Amel Blidi, alluded to the workshop as a platform enabling her to get proffessional assistance as she is working on her own feature film. She said “Although I read a lot, I find it helpful to gain hands on experience from professionals, so I have great expectations about this workshop and its contribution to the success of my film.”

The workshop also incorporates practical exercises and group discussions, allowing participants to apply these principles to their own projects. Kenyan film practitioner, Elisha Otieno, whose background is in theatre, expressed his eagerness to utilize the benefits of the workshop for his upcoming projects. He said, “I have already learnt, from this workshop, the distinct difference between film scripts and theater scripts."

In its third week, the Equal Voices Script and Film Analysis Workshop incorporates a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with the film industry at the International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF). This hands-on experience allows filmmakers to apply their newly acquired skills by evaluating films shown at the festival.

Founded in 2003 and held annually in Harare, Zimbabwe, IIFF serves as a crucial platform for showcasing films that foster audience engagement and dialogue. By giving the workshop participants the opportunity to attend a IIFF 2024, ICAPA Trust not only enriches the learning experience for the participants, but also strengthens the connection between education and industry practice, providing participants with valuable insights and practical experience that will benefit their future projects.

ICAPA Trust is grateful to the Hawthornden Foundation for sponsoring this workshop.