Coming on the heels of the recent attendance of the Ebedi International Writers Residency Programme, Iseyin, Oyo State, by the well-known Ugandan Writer Doreen Baingana, another young Ugandan Writer Barbara Oketta has been slated to participate in the next edition of the Programme.
Oketta is a Teacher and short story writer based in Kampala, Uganda is also an Executive Member of FEMRITE, the Ugandan Women Writers Organisation, and a published short story writer. She is also a freelance Editor with FOUNTAIN, a Ugandan Publishing outfit. She will be coming to Ebedi to complete work on her novel, LEAVING HOME.
Barbara Oketta will be joined by another young and versatile Nigerian female writer Temitayo Olofinlua. Temitayo, a holder of a Master’s degree in English from the Obafemi Awolowo University, an an award-winning essayist, was until recently a regular contributor to the now rested NEXT Newspaper where she contributed articles, reviews and vignettes. She has been published in a short story anthology THE EAGLE SPEAKING FOR THE GENERATION (2009) edited by Duke Okoro. She will going to Ebedi to complete her short story collection.
The writers are expected to be at the Residency from March 10, 2012 for a period of six weeks. Apart from writing, the writers will also be expected to mentor students of selected secondary schools in Iseyin in any creative arts of their choice.
The Ebedi International Writers Residency is a homegrown initiative to support writers to complete their ongoing literary works in a comfortable and serene environment at no cost to the writers. Through the writers, the Programme also intends to mentor young Nigerians in the creative field in an attempt to identify and empower upcoming creative artists.
The Residency is managed by a Board of Directors made up of Maryam Okediran (Chairman), Uche Peter Umez, Alkasim Abdulkadir and Akintayo Abodunrin.
ges of this year's Caine Prize for African Writing were announced today. The panel will be chaired by author and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature Bernardine Evaristo. Joining her are awardwinning cultural journalist Maya Jaggi, Zimbabwean poet, songwriter and writer Chirikure Chirikure, Associate Professor at Georgetown University Samantha Pinto, and the award-winning CNN television correspondent Nima Elbagir.
This year 122 qualifying stories have been submitted to the judges from 14 African countries. The judges will meet in early May to decide on the shortlisted stories, which will be announced shortly thereafter.
The winning story will be announced at a dinner at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday 2 July. Last year the Caine Prize, described as Africa's leading literary award, was won by Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo. Chair of judges Hisham Matar said at the time "The language of 'Hitting Budapest' crackles. This is a story with moral power and weight; it has the artistry to refrain from moral commentary. NoViolet Bulawayo is a writer who takes delight in language."
The BESSIE HEAD HERITAGE TRUST, together with Pentagon Publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 BESSIE HEAD LITERATURE AWARDS.
In the category of NOVEL, the winner is Ms. Tlotlo Pearl Tsamaase for her manuscript Unlettered Skies of the Sublime. The first runner-up is Mr. Service Motsamai Monyamane for Mma-Shirley’s Children, and the second runner-up is Mr Moreetsi Pius Gabang for Cryout. The winner will receive a cash prize of P2, 500.00, the first runner-up will receive P1 200.00, and the third runner up will receive P800.
In the SHORT STORY category, the winner is Mr Boikhutso Robert for a story entitled “The Zambezi Crocodiles”. The first runner-up is Ms. Rebaone Kenanao Motsumi for her story “Incestous Scandal ... saving Grace”; the second runner-up is Ms Jocasta Tshomarelo Bobeng for “The War of Animals and Plants”. The prize for the short story winner is P1, 500.00; for the second runner-up it is P900.00; and for the third runner-up it is P600.00.
The POETRY winner is Mr. John Hutcheson for a set of poems (“The Massacre of Innocents”, “The Man”, and “Curse”). The first runner-up is Ms Lisa Reed for a set of poems (“Buffalo Sunrise”, “Campfire”, and “The Joy of Africa”). The second runner-up is Ms. Bernice Tiny Letlhare also for a set of poems (“Wisdom”, “Allegory of a Strong Being”, “What is Life” and “People in the Street”). The poetry prize for the winner is P1, 200.00; for the first runner-up it is P800. 00 and for the second runner up it is P500.00.
On 24 July 2011, Ms Penelope Moanakwena, President of the Botswana Reading Association, will award the above prizes in the National Museum in Gaborone, in a ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the National Museum in Gaborone. The event will include readings by the winners and runners-up, a launch of the works of the 2010 winners in book form, and an open mike session. Pentagon Publishers will promote the titles of their BESSIE HEAD SERIES of writing in English from Botswana.
We need a news writer to write up news summaries with pizazz and personality. Writer will write two - three posts per day based on top headlines (many will involve African-American news). The posts would be between 375-500 words and pay $10 per post. Writer would need to start at 8am and will work from home. This is a perfect setup for a student or someone with an open schedule.
Compensation: $10 per post
Contact Information:
For inquiries: job-fuy5g-2490047178@craigslist.org
For submissions: job-fuy5g-2490047178@craigslist.org
Sundance Institute recently announced the 14 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah May 30 – June 30, 2011. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Director of the Sundance Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the projects selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Israel, Romania, Mexico, the Philippines and Algeria. Sundance Institute is marking the 30th anniversary of its first Directors Lab, led by Robert Redford and Satter in 1981.
Over the course of the Directors Lab, Fellows work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors, professional actors, and production crews, shooting and editing key scenes from their screenplays. Through this intense, hands-on process, the Fellows workshop text, collaborate with actors, and find a visual storytelling language for their films in an atmosphere where experimentation and risk-taking is encouraged. Fellows also join in the weeklong Screenwriters Lab with six additional projects to participate in individualized story sessions under the guidance of established screenwriters.
The projects and participants selection for the 30th Anniversary of the Sundance Institute June Directors Lab from May 30 – June 23 are:
The American People/Keith Davis (writer/director), U.S.A.
La Raya/Yolanda Cruz (writer/director), Mexico/U.S.A.
Little Accidents/Sara Colangelo (writer/director), U.S.A.
The Storm King/Carlo Mirabella-Davis (writer/director), U.S.A.
Wolf/Bodgan Mustata (writer/director), Romania
Zero Motivation/Talya Lavie (writer/director), Israel
They will be joined at the June Screenwriters Lab from June 25 – 30 by the following projects and participants:
Ajax/Carson Mell (writer/director), U.S.A.
Hurt Village/Katori Hall (writer), U.S.A.
Red Olive Tree/Karim Bensalah (writer/director), Algeria/France
Satra/Sheron Dayoc (writer/director), Philippines
What He Did/Kyle Burns (writer/director), U.S.A.
Ad Inexplorata/Mark Elijah Rosenberg (writer/director), U.S.A.
"On the 30th anniversary of the June Lab, it is thrilling and humbling to commemorate the body of work that's come from the visionary group of independent filmmakers who have been supported by the Feature Film Program. Over the years, these filmmakers have inspired us with their storytelling talent, and helped us to refine a creative process that is rigorous, adventurous, and transformative," said Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Feature Film Program. "Our latest group of artists are telling stories about our current world with boldness, humor and grace; whether their characters are impacted by socio-political conflicts in the world at large, or the smaller, equally treacherous wars fought within ruptured families, they are engaging audiences on the highest level."
Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam added, “All of the Institute’s work to date was born out of the original idea of bringing artists to the mountains, away from commercial pressures, to be nurtured by nature and encouraged by creative leaders in the film world. It is our distinct pleasure to welcome this latest class of fellows who join our amazing, supportive group of alumni around the world.”
Gyula Gazdag returns as Artistic Director of the Directors Lab. This year's Creative Advisors for the Directors and Screenwriters Labs include Robert Redford, Michael Almereyda, John August, Scott Burns, Scott Cooper, Sebastian Cordero, Joan Darling, Suzy Elmiger, Robert Elswit, Sally Field, John Gatins, Michael Goldenberg, William Goldenberg, Deena Goldstone, Keith Gordon, Randa Haines, Catherine Hardwicke, Azazel Jacobs, Jeremy Kagan, Kasi Lemmons, Denis Lenoir, Peter Medak, Walter Mosley, Jessie Nelson, Tim Blake Nelson, Billy Ray, Howard Rodman, Susan Shilliday, Brad Silberling, Dana Stevens, Joan Tewkesbury, Barbara Tulliver, Audrey Wells, and Doug Wright.
About Karim Bensalah
Red Olive Tree/Karim Bensalah (writer/director), Algeria/France: Plagued by divided loyalties following the French-Algerian war, the recently deceased Ahmed miraculously arises to lead his bickering French family to his homeland, where they grapple with the consequences of the choices he made in life and allow him to find peace in death.
Karim Bensalah was born in Algeria. After spending his childhood in Algeria, Brazil, Haiti and Senegal, he went to study social sciences and philosophy in France. Bensalah next attended the London Film School, where he directed the short films Constant Flow and Fatima’s Secret. In 2005, he directed a segment of the feature film Paris La Métisse along with 15 other young directors. He has also directed short films with the group Collectif Tribudom, and created his own installation work. Bensalah recently completed Chibanis, a documentary about Arab workers in France.
About the program
Since 1981, the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program (FFP) has supported more than 450 independent filmmakers whose distinctive, singular work has engaged audiences worldwide. The program’s approach to the discovery and development of independent artists has become a model for creative development programs internationally. Program staff fully embrace the unique vision of each filmmaker, encouraging a rigorous creative process with a focus on original and deeply personal storytelling. Each year, up to 25 emerging filmmakers from the U.S. and around the world participate in a year-round continuum of support which can include the Screenwriters and Directors Labs, Creative Producing Fellowship and Lab, Composers Lab, Creative Producing Summit, ongoing creative and strategic advice, significant production and postproduction resources, a Rough-Cut Screening Initiative, a Screenplay Reading Series, and direct financial support through project-specific grants and artist fellowships. In many cases, the Institute has helped the Program’s fellows attach producers and talent, secure financing, and assemble other significant resources to move their projects toward production and presentation. In addition, the FFP is providing strategic resources to completed Lab films in distribution and marketing across all platforms to support and expand their connection to audiences worldwide.
