International Trade Centre, European Union Join Forces to Boost the Film Industry
The International Trade Centre and European Union have announced a business acceleration project for young entrepreneurs in the Ugandan film industry.
The project dubbed ‘Opportunities are Here’ (OAH), will focus on boosting the Ugandan film industry to provide young talents in Uganda with specialized mentoring, networking opportunities and media exposure that will promote growth, job creation, entrepreneurship and innovation within the film industry.
During the unveil of the project, ITC spoke to the vast potential within the realm of filmmaking and highlighted the growth of streaming platforms, increased accessibility to affordable digital equipment, as well as the high potential for youth employment among the factors influencing the EU and ITC’s strategic decision to support the industry’s growth.
Opportunities are Here will aim at invigorating and professionalizing the Ugandan film sector through delivering expert skills development, capacity building for creative businesses, and developing regional and international market access.
The approach involves the nurturing of skills among content creators and equipping young creatives with the skills to produce and market high-quality original Ugandan content. The project will forge connections with creative ecosystems and aim to enhance access to global markets, ultimately fostering a more robust and internationally competitive film industry.
ITC highlighted that through this project, filmmakers will get exposure to tactics aimed at enhancing financial opportunities for the industry, addressing one of the most pertinent issues that several Ugandan filmmakers encounter.
Speaking at the launch of the project the European Union Ambassador to Uganda H.E Jan Sadek said;
“Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world and we see every day, the vibrancy, energy and creativity of young artists and entrepreneurs. With this new initiative, the European Union is keen on channeling this creative energy into supporting the film industry and creating jobs for Uganda’s young people.”
Registrations for OAH will open on October 30, and all young creatives interested in seizing this opportunity are encouraged to apply. For more information and to register, visit the official social media pages below:
The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organizations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy. The European Union’s cooperation with Uganda aims to respond to the country’s most pressing needs by supporting sustainable development through sound economic policies and good governance. In its partnership with Uganda, the EU makes use of both an effective political dialogue, with the Government but also with non-State actors, and a targeted cooperation agenda articulated around three broad policy areas: (i) Green and Climate Transition, (ii) Sustainable Growth and Jobs, and (iii) Democratic Governance and Social Inclusion.