Ugandan Scriptwriters Undergo Intensive Workshop from Africa Monologue Challenge Team

6th Sep 2024 | Source: GCCP

Group picture of participants

Following a successful scriptwriting contest aimed at promoting Uganda through storytelling, the top ten shortlisted writers underwent a comprehensive workshop facilitated by the Africa Monologue Challenge (AMC) team from Ghana. The workshop, held at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) premises, was led by Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, Executive Director of the African Chamber of Content Producers, and a Pan-African media consultant. The event was proudly sponsored by the Africa Monologue Challenge, Uganda Communications Commission, and Net Studios Africa.

The two-sessions workshop focused on the art of storytelling, emphasizing the creation of captivating narratives that positively showcase Africa while engaging audiences. Participants were guided through techniques for weaving compelling stories, ensuring they resonate with global audiences.

Nana Dwomoh-Doyen highlighted the workshop's objective, stating, "After this training, we aim to have all twenty participants collaborate to develop a single, powerful story that will effectively market Uganda to the world."

The workshop featured insights from industry experts, including the CEO of MK Casting – Mawuko Kuadzi, a key organizer of the AMC, who shared his views on African storytelling. Ghanaian actor Peter Ritchie, an organizer of the AMC also shared his experiences and the impact of storytelling on brands. Rachael Nduhukire, the AMC 2023 winner, offered valuable perspectives on crafting captivating narratives. Jesca Ahimbisibwe, CEO of Cinema UG, and a partner of AMC, provided insights into Uganda's storytelling landscape.

In the second session of the workshop, participants visited Net Studios Africa, where they met with the studio's Operations Manager, Agaba Mutabazi, to discuss the production of the short film that would emerge from the workshop.

Agaba, after engaging with the writers and their unique backgrounds, expressed excitement about the initiative's objectives. He emphasized Net Studios' preparedness to collaborate with some of the writers even after the conclusion of the short film.

“Net Studios is proud to be one of the sponsors for the Africa Monologue Challenge and its associated programs,” he stated. “'We are privileged to be part of the assemblage of changemakers working to project a positive image of Uganda and, ultimately, Africa as a whole.'"

The second session continued at the Studios of the Net Studios Africa where discussions continued on African storytelling. A highlight of the workshop was the collaboration between the ten Ugandan writers and the ten finalists of the AMC to develop a single story that would showcase Uganda's unique attributes. Through a series of brainstorming sessions and discussions, the participants successfully created a compelling storyline that captures the essence of Uganda's culture, landscapes, and people.

Subsequently, the writers were placed in a virtual writers' room where they are collaborating to produce the comprehensive script for the short film which will feature the AMC Season 2 finalists. The project aims to showcase Uganda's tourism potential to a global audience while promoting African creativity and collaboration.

Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin emphasized the importance of uniting African creatives to tell authentic African stories to rebrand the image of the continent. "By working together, we can project a positive image of the continent and inspire future generations of storytellers," he stated.

Mawuko Kuadzi, highlighted the initiative's commitment to partnering with African countries to develop compelling narratives that celebrate African culture and heritage.

“The Pan African writer’s workshop marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration among African creatives and showcasing the continent's rich storytelling traditions. The resulting short film is expected to be a powerful tool for promoting Uganda and Africa as a whole”, he stated

The Ugandan writers expressed their excitement at being a part of this amazing journey to change the negative narratives around their country. They felt the importance of being a part of history by using positive storytelling to turn the fortunes of Uganda around and present a positive image of the country to the outside world. They thanked the organizers of the workshop for bringing a group of total strangers together to use their crafts to market their country positively. The Africa Monologue Challenge Season 2 was under the auspices of the Office of the president of Uganda, Pan African Women’s Organization (PAWO), and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). AMC Season 2 was sponsored by Lyca Mobile and Net Studios Africa.