The Anambra State Government has begun a four-month film production training for 1,000 youths to enable them to harness opportunities in the creative industry.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Don Onyenji, said that the training would produce talents in the film industry.

He said, “We intended to use the creative industry to improve the economic and social behaviours of the citizens. The programme is also aimed at making the young people to become self-reliant, job creators and talent managers.’’

Mr Onyenji said that the Anambra Film Village was established with the aim of narrowing the unemployment gap in the state through youth participation in the film industry.

He said that the initiative was designed to meet Governor Charles Soludo’s vision of creating a robust economy for the people of the state.

Earlier, the Managing Director, Anambra Film Village, Chinyere Ozo-Okomma, said that the initiative would be used to tell the true story of the state, Igbo culture, and its people.

Ms Ozo-Okomma said that the programme would take the participants through courses in cinematography, editing, sound design, continuity, costumes and welfare among others.

She said that the participants would be equipped with the core objectives of filmmaking, and would be given the opportunity to earn money through content creation.

“At the end of this training, the participants will be equipped to earn a living from the industry. We want to bring home our talents that are away, they have to return home to build our own film industry. The creative industry has a lot of impacts to make in the development of the state. We need to tap into it,” she said.

One of the participants, Chukwuamaka Nwaejena, described the training as a huge opportunity for self-improvement.

“I am happy to be a part of this training. I need the skills to enrich my knowledge. No skill is a waste. I thank the organisers for this initiative,” she said.

Another participant, Eke Obiora, described the programme as a lifetime opportunity to acquire enduring skills.

He said, “Before me is an opportunity to learn skills in the creative industry. This is well-intended, I thank the organisers.’’

(NAN)