The Latin American Training Center-LATC, the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ), the Commercial and Industrial Association of Nova Iguaçu (ACINI), and Cia Encena are pleased to announce the Screening of the short films produced in the “Making My First Film” course, together with the closing ceremony on March 23, at 10am, at Teatro Nova Iguaçu Petrobras, in Nova Iguaçu.
An initiative of the Culture Council of the Commercial Association of Rio (ACRJ), implemented by the Latin American Training Center-LATC, the “Making My First Film” project is aimed at social inclusion, using filmmaking as a tool for transformation of youth in favelas and municipalities in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Now in its fourth edition, the course is offered to 15-25 youths aged 15 to 25, who learn filmmaking techniques and produce short films using their cell phones. Municipalities and favelas in Rio de Janeiro State included in previous editions are: Júlio Otoni, Tavares Bastos, Pereira da Silva, Fallet, Morro Azul, Santo Amaro, Babilônia, Campo Grande, Cesar Maia, Cidade Nova, Guaratiba, Ilha do Governador, Santa Cruz, Vila Isabel and Búzios.
The project is made possible by multiple sponsors and institutional and strategic partnerships, including L.C. Barreto Produções Cinematográficas, Motion Picture Association-Brazil, Michael Murphy (former vice-president of Universal and Paramount), ABC Cursos de Cinema, Atrevida Filmes, VIVA Productions, Paula Tupinambá Advocacia, RioFilme, Sindicato da Indústria Audiovisual-SICAV, Sindicato Interstate dos Trabalhadores na Indústria Cinematographic and Audiovisual-STIC, Special Secretariat for Youth in Rio (JUVRio) and Conspiração Filmes.
In Nova Iguaçu, the project has the support of Cia Encena, a private non-profit cultural association, the Municipal Secretariat of Culture, the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance, the CIEP 117 Carlos Drummond de Andrade Intercultural Brazil-US School, the Nova Iguaçu Youth Community Center (Casa da Juventude Iguaçuana), 4U Filmes, Kinoplex, Paramount Pictures do Brasil and the Commercial and Industrial Association of Nova Iguaçu.
Taught by Professor Pedro Dannemann, the course was held over two months at the Nova Iguacu Youth Community Center and included support for transportation and snacks for the students who develop their own project, from script to post-production, and receive an official certificate of course completion.
During the ceremony on February 22nd, the three best short films of the 14 films produced by the 18 students in the course will be announced, along with their awards:
- 1st place – A scholarship for a filmmaking at ABC Cursos de Cinema do Rio.
- 2nd place – A scholarship for an English course for Audiovisual Professionals offered by LATC.
- 3rd place – A copy of the book “Cinema Brasileiro Hoje” published by LATC.
The selection jury for the best three student films includes: Elaine Medeiros (Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance), Silvia Regina Andrade (Undersecretary of Culture), Kate Lyra (LATC), Bruna Sorrentino (Art Filme and ACRJ) and Christina Daniels (VivaFilmes).
In addition, thanks to a new agreement with LATC, selected films in this edition of the course will be made available, with English subtitles, on the new streaming platform MAB+, based in Los Angeles, offering a new international “window” and visibility for the films of the students and the Municipality of Nova Iguaçu.
About LATC:
Based in Rio de Janeiro, and founded in 2008 by Steve Solot, the Latin American Training Center-LATC is a regional training and consultancy center for the audiovisual content industry. Its mission is to offer training and technical support to professionals through programs, publications, competitions, workshops and creative seminars on specific film industry topics, thus contributing to the expansion and professionalization of the sector. https:/
About ACRJ:
Created on July 15, 1809, the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ) is one of the oldest civil representation entities in the country. The stage for major national discussions contributes to the economic development of the state of Rio de Janeiro and works to defend the interests of Rio’s business class. The current ACRJ headquarters building, the Palácio do Comércio, is located at Rua Candelária 9, in the center of the city. acrj.org.br
About Cia Encena:
Formed in 1994, the non-profit entity was born as a group of theatrical artists, offering artistic and training workshops, as well as social engagement in innovative projects in theater, hip hop culture, art, education and social transformation. Cia Encena also provided a program of integrated actions for Cultural Militancy, organizing and articulating cultural and activist groups throughout Brazil and in 10 countries. https://ciaencena.org.br/
About ACINI:
Created in May 1945, the Commercial and Industrial Association of Nova Iguaçu – ACINI represents the business and industrial communities in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, and includes private-sector companies, retailers, industry and service providers. It operates as an association, with legal personality under private law, on behalf of its members. https://acini.com.br/wp
About the Professor:
After graduating in Law from UFRJ and working as a lawyer, Pedro Dannemann chose to pursue a career in cinema. In 2014, he joined Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, in Germany, where he specialized in documentary directing. Since 2019, he has held film workshops in Rio Municipal shelters, and in 2020, he created the course “Making My First Film,” aimed at democratizing access to audiovisual media. https://www.pedrodannemann.com/
