Ten Nigerian students would be sponsored on an all-expense paid trip to the United States of America by the Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, disclosed this Tuesday in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES.

She said the 10 students would be taken to a prestigious university in the USA for further training in various aspects of filmmaking.

She explained that through this initiative and several others, the festival plans to change the economic horizon of the African film industry.

“We believe we can use this model for a social revolution that will change the economic horizon of the African film industry, by providing technical knowledge and skill to enhance the abundant talents in our film community,” she said.

The beneficiaries of the training will be expected to shoot a short film after their course abroad, in fulfilment of their training. The films will be entered into the festival’s students’ short category for the subsequent AFRIFF in 2015.

According to the festival guidelines, registration for the workshops which opened at the new AFRIFF website, www.afriff.com on September 15, will close on October 17, while general registration will end on October 31.

AFRIFF 2014 is scheduled to take place at Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State from November 9 to 16.

The festival organisers said there would be hands-on training and workshop on scriptwriting, cinematography, acting and directing for aspiring filmmakers in Africa.