16 Cowries: Future Film-Makers for Africa
16 Cowries is a Non-Profit Organization that trains youth in film and video production.
16 Cowries is a non-profit organization focused on developing young film-makerswith skills in motion picture photography, writing, directing, and production. We were founded under the principle that the future of Africa rests on its ability to conjure positive images which will reinforce development -- social, cultural, economic, and spiritual. This development can be guided by youth from Africa and countries where its Diaspora is present.
Young people from all ethnic backgrounds attend our workshops in schools and in our own project based workshops; however, they are also taught sound principles related to African philosophy in addition to film and video production. We beliefe that guiding an artist also means re-inforcing his or her sense of ethics. In Yoruba belief system, 16 cowry shells are used to tell the future. we hope to endow our young people with principles and knowledge of how to use cinema to tell their own stories. It is our hope that they will bring these skills and gifts back to the African continent that inspired our organization's mission.
Fundraising Update:
Our goal this year is to raise funds to sponsor an Apprentice to work with Image Quilt Productions for up to three years. This apprentice will be trained in photo processing, printing, videography, and 16mm/35mm motion picture lighting.
Our fundraising efforts will be concentrated on benefit film screenings presented throughout the summer at the Albany Independent Film Forum.
We would also like to hold a free 6 week, Beginning Filmmaking Workshop, for young women and men in the Arbor Hill and West Hill neighborhoods in 2008.
Please contact us for sponsorship information.
16 Cowries is associated with Image Quilt, a film production company based in Albany, NY.
View a clip from an afterschool video workshop taught be 16 Cowries founder, Omonike Akinyemi, at Giffen Elementary School in Albany's South End. Over 6 weeks, the students were taught video making skills and wrote and shot their own short film titled, "New Country, New School".
Giffen Students, Cassia Gravesande and Anmol Sharma collaborated in the writing of the script and the entire class which included 8 girls and 8 boys filmed 4 segments includina a documentary on the local Fire Station, a school concert, and the "Giffen Gator News" show.
Making a Donation of time, monetary resources, goods, or space:
This is Our Wish List: 1,500 square foot office space for cinema lighting workshops
20 volunteers for sage set-up
PC's (4) with Windows XP or 2000 or more
Video Cameras (mini-DV, 8mm, and 3/4 inch umatic)
4 video monitors
4 tables
Mechanical Assistance for Van
4 Still Cameras (must allow for manual focus)
Please contact us if you would liek to donate your time and/or resources.
Behind the Scenes of the Giffen Film Workshop... Coming Soon
For more information on how to participate in a film-making workshop or bring a film-making workshop to your community, contact 16 Cowries at 518-478-2208 or email: script@imagequilt.com
