Unique FM CEO gives lecture on film production

Mr. Lamin Manga, the Chief Executive Officer of Unique FM Radio recently gave public lecture on the topic "The discussion on the films in the United States of America," at the newly open American Corner at the Comium headquarters.

Mr. Manga recently returned home from the United States, where he attended a course, focusing on the America Media Industry, courtesy of the US Embassy in Banjul.

During his stay in the US, Lamin Manga engaged in discussions on film making as a social, cultural and political tool, which supports the basics of freedom of expression.

Participants examined the development, production of films, as well as the latest technological developments.

In his lectures, Mr. Manga said the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) was launched by the US government in 1940, with a view to building mutual understanding between the United States and other nations.

"Each year, over 4,500 IVLP participants from all over the world are selected by the US embassies to travel to the US to meet and confer with professional counterparts. In my case, I met 16 other colleges, I now consider them as part of my family through this encounter where we learned from each other and got a better understanding of the cultural and political influences in the US society and enjoyed a first hand experience of its people and culture," he said

He added that as part of their visit, they were exposed to discussion centring on the US system of government, its decentralised nature, and the decision-making process that flows from the system.

According to him, they were also exposed to the way government support arts and culture, and the promotion of projects to increase education and awareness of arts and films, through the National Endowment for Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH).

Manga noted that they also managed to have a first hand experience of how the library of congress is preserving and cataloguing films and other visual recordings.

He stated that their four weeks visit also gave them an overview of the American film industry, including its historical evolution, current trends and the impact of technology.

"It was also interesting to see the diversity and the scope of the American filmmaking, from Hollywood to independent and ethnic cinema organisations.

"In Los Angles, the home of Hollywood we were given an insight into professional support for documentary film makers, operation of large studios, especially (the great universal studios), interaction with the future film makers, among others," Manga disclosed.

He further revealed that his visit was a result of his presence at the 31st annual Sundance Film Festival, a gathering of the film industry's top people and production.

The festival, he noted, played host to countless film screenings.

Mr. Manga commended the US Embassy in Banjul for the opportunity accorded to them.