Ghanaian filmmakers have once again proven their prowess on the global stage, showcasing their talent and creativity at Filmapalooza 2024, the world competition and festival of the renowned 48 Hour Film Project.
This year’s event held in Lisbon Portugal saw Ghanaian team leaving a lasting impression with their innovative storytelling, captivating cinematography, and remarkable performances. Despite facing stiff competition from around the world, Ghanaian filmmakers demonstrated their ability to excel under pressure, as they conceptualized, shot, and edited their films within a mere 48-hour timeframe. “Their dedication, ingenuity, and passion for the craft were evident in the quality of the films they produced” Kingsley Lims Nyarko, Ghana Producer expressed. “…earning accolades and admiration from audiences and judges alike.” He added.
Among the highlights was the representation of diverse narratives, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Ghana. From thought-provoking drama to lighthearted comedie, the film showcased the unique perspectives and voices of Ghanaian storytellers, resonating with audiences on a global scale. As the excitement of Filmapalooza 2024 continues to reverberate within Ghana’s filmmaking community, there is even more reason for celebration on the horizon. In an interview with Ghanaian comedian and Film Producer, Clemento Suarez, he said “The Accra 48 Hour Film Project is set to make its highly anticipated return this year, scheduled for July 2024. Filmmakers eager to participate in this exhilarating event are encouraged to mark their calendars and stay tuned for registration details, as slots are expected to fill up quickly.”
For those keen to secure their spot and take advantage of super early registration discounts, inquiries can be made by reaching out to 0551843980 or 0502274014 preferably via WhatsApp. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an unforgettable filmmaking experience and join fellow creatives in bringing stories to life on the big screen.
Filmapalooza 2025 is scheduled to be in Seattle Washington. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to embark on a cinematic journey like no other with the Accra 48 Hour Film Project! Powered by Hyfocal Multimedia & SuperFam Network.
The Flashback Show is excited to announce our upcoming ‘Say No To Racism’ poetry collaboration!
We’re inviting writers from around the globe to contribute to this important project. If you’re passionate about combating racism and want to showcase your talent, please send us a stanza of your poem (four lines) to the email provided below. Don’t forget to include your name, country, and social media handles for recognition.
Thank you for joining us in spreading this vital message through the power of poetry.
Today on The Flashback Show, we’re thrilled to host Richard Tsatsu-Ametsitre, renowned in the art space as RichyX, who hails from Madina, a suburb of Accra.
He used graphite pencils exclusively until 2021, when he began experimenting with charcoal pencils. Additionally, he specializes in creating both temporary and permanent tattoos, as well as room painting. He is currently a freelance artist and aspires to pursue a PhD in Art.”
Please tell us something about yourself?
Guest: My full name is Richard Tsatsu-Ametsitre and known in the art world as RichyX. I grew up in Madina, a suburb of Accra. The first school I started was Daisy Preparatory School located at Social Welfare at Madina. Having a white woman as the head of the school, with some of the teachers and students being whites, one of the main aims of the school was to unearth raw talents of students; especially in the field of art. I’m very sure that’s what sparked this talent I have.
I grew up some few years with my mother at Madina till I was 11 years where she left to stay with my Dad in the village and left us (myself and 2 big brothers) in the care of a guardian. We had to stay there in Accra because of the quality of education. I left Daisy when I was being promoted to upper primary 4 because the school was being relocated elsewhere which was too far. I joined my 2 big brothers in their school (I.B.M.) (full name) for a year and continued from primary 5 through to completion of JHS in another school ( IMMANUEL PRESBY SCHOOL) in 2007. Throughout my schooling, art played an integral part of my life because it was the only way I could be myself. However a year before completing my basic level, my elder brother who also did visual art at the SHS (Aggrey Memorial) taught me a couple of tricks in drawing and shading before I had to pursue the same course in Adisadel College in September 2007. In Adisadel, I wasn’t the best artist; for my visual art batch we didn’t even have a best artist because there was so much competition which made me learn a lot.
However, during the school’s centenary speech and prize giving day in 2010, I won the best graphic design student which was a big deal to me because of the kind of students who were all up for that award. I did a lot of projects in the school which are still there till date. I completed in 2011 and gained admission to the University (KNUST) in 2013 to pursue BA. Industrial Art (Textiles). I completed in 2017 and continue with a Master of Fine Art in Textile Design from 2019 through to a successful graduation in 2022. Throughout all this, Art hasn’t been out of my life; I’ve done countless art commissions and kept on getting better and better after each project. I used to work with graphite pencils only till 2021 that I started working with charcoal pencils. In addition, I do tattoos (temporal and permanent) and room painting. Currently I’m a freelance artist working on and hoping to pursue a PhD degree in Art.
What were some of the things you were doing before you decided to focus on art?.
Guest: I used to be a rapper and an art teacher. Well, I’m still a rapper but schooling has made my music career slow. A wise man once said “ music is like a woman; it is jealous seeing you with another woman”
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
Guest: I come from a place called Atitekpo, close to Sogakophe in the South Tongu district of the Volta region. It hasn’t had any effect on my work ( not that I know of ) because I seldom visit the place.
Any challenges?
Guest: The only challenge I have with my work is the price. Clients usually complain about the prices saying it’s too much. But I try my possible best to come into agreement with them most a time.
Kindly describe your working process or procedures.
Guest: I’ll categorize them into 4 parts( Outline drawing, Plain even toning / shading ,detailed drawing and actual shading) I first do an outline of whatever I want to draw and shade all over it to get an even tone across. Then I bring in the actual drawing then I apply my shading techniques. I use tools like the elastomer eraser, kneadable eraser, electric eraser, normal gum eraser, cotton, cutter knives, graphite and charcoal pencils, and makeup brushes.
How do you develop your art skills?
Guest: I have great artists I follow on social media. There are some studios around me I visit from time to time. I watch their art processes and learn a lot from them. So it’s mainly through observations.
When is your favorite time of the day to create?
Guest: At night, when it’s peaceful and quite. So usually when I’m working on a project I spend all night drawing then I sleep during the day time.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Guest: Apart from finance, it helps to ease stress and build connections. There are more to it, which I’m yet to discover.
What factors influence the price of your work?
Guest: Main influence is the scale of the work; bigger works require more effort thus more money. Secondly, the number of heads to be drawn and sometimes the quality of the picture. Less quality pictures are boring to do because the details of the subject are not that clear so I charge a little more.
What are your ultimate career goals?
Guest: To be a scholar in Art; the reason I’m moving on to pursue my doctorate degree.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
Guest: Hmm, it’s stressful but I owe it to passion I have for the Art. Sometimes you close from work tired but don’t feel tired working extra on an artwork. So I usually draw at night after I’ve taken a nap in the evening after work.
Describe your ideal working environment.
Guest: A peaceful place, less or no noice with good music at the background.
Are you currently employed elsewhere?
Guest: No I’m not. I used to teach Art in a JHS but few months back, I had to stop for some reasons.
Describe how we can encourage your career growth.
Guest: Mainly through advertisement to help the brand reach a bigger market.
Are you open to collaboration or partnership?
Guest: Yes I am. I’m looking at an exhibition with the possibility to blend pencil art together with new innovative art ideas that hasn’t been established in our space. Like shadow art for instance; one of the ideas I would love to try out.
Any advice for upcoming ones?
Guest: Yeah, practice makes perfect. If you want to get there don’t fail to practice, and make sure you’re always better in your current work than your previous. Secondly don’t be scared to try out new things thinking you would mess up a work in the process.
Hello lovely people, our guest today on ” The Flashback Show ” is Paola Isaac. She is a U.S government official in charge of International Trade; Promoting import, export and investment. She spoke about the upcoming grand event, the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE), an event with a tremendous ability to attract and brings together from across the globe, sixty (60) countries. This spectacular event is set to take place in the vibrant locale of South Florida. Here’s your chance to connect with Paola and discover how you can participate in this remarkable gathering.
Kindly visit the link below to watch for full interview on YouTube
SAVE THE DATE
— FITCE 2023:
OCTOBER 4 & 5, 2023
Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development 954-357-6400 | Broward.org/EconDev
Instagram: /browardcountyoesbd
Twitter: BCOESBD
For more information about “The Flashback Show”, to recommend someone or share your story on our platform, kindly contact our team on this email (theflashbackshow1@gmail.com)
I am Mavis Ogboo Nelson, a self taught Ghanaian Fashion Designer based in Accra whose aim is to share art through clothing with the world. I make stylish clothing that projects confidence and uniqueness in the modern Woman. The outfit(s) seeks to give her an experience rather than just an outward look. Artdress (wearable art) was coined from the love for expressionable art and preference to be unique; so its objective is to make the modern woman feel good, confident and above all beautiful and was started in 2020.
Concept / Inspiration
I was inspired by an art movement around the time the Frankenstein movie was made which is/was Art Nouveau. I used the characteristics of the art movement (bold motifs, natural images like flowers, curves, etc) and added a touch of African print and some beading as detailing to create classy but sophisticated outfit for the modern woman.
Some challenges I faced, was that most (if not all) of the second-hand outfits are a bit faded and as an artists who embraces vividness I would have loved if the outfit had the original colour.
Best way to contact me is through any of the following: WhatsApp: 0241136661 Instagram: @artdressbymavis
Thank you for reading. Don’t forget to check out our instagram page for interesting interviews. “The Flashback Show”. A platform to interact with professionals, young and rising change makers as they reveal the real and blur nature of their work. This is to support them and motivate others. We have interviewed both award winning and uprising change makers (artists, fashion designers, musicians, actors, actresses, doctors, etc) from different countries including Ghana, UAE, Greece, India, USA, England, Nigeria, Canada and many more.
To recommend someone (entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, change makers, NGO, etc) for us to interview, kindly let us know so that we can reach out to them. Or for mentorship, kindly email us at theflashbackshow1@gmail.com Or whatsapp https://wa.me/233241318160
I want to tell you a story A story about how to conquer A story about moving forward But you won’t understand
I want to tell you a story about the floating stone And the sinking leaf The story of a lion being chased by a snail But you won’t understand
I want to talk about love Something romantic Something emotional But you won’t understand
I have a lot of stories Both funny and scary A story without words But you won’t understand
I want to talk about supporting your friends I want to talk about being patient But you won’t understand I want to continue writing But you won’t understand Or will you….?
Instagram profile: Writer: Noble_nwg Featured model: Akosuasmile_
Our guest for today on The Flashback Show is a sculptress from Johannesburg. She grew up in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).
She was a finalist at the PPC IMAGINARIUM competition in 2018 and exhibited with design indaba in capetown, 2020.
Can you kindly introduce yourself to our audience?
Guest: My name is Dora, I live in Johannesburg with my husband and 2 daughters, my son lives in London. I’m authentic, I like to say about myself: what you see is what you get. I love traveling, I like gastronomy,I enjoy being surrounded by my loved ones and share good meals with them. I like music, architectural design, cinema, fashion and Art Deco, I am learning new skills, you’ll always find me taking new courses in different fields…
How was your growing up?
Dora: I grew up in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), I am the eldest of my whole family (including cousins) this means a huge responsibility, leading by example…I was good at school, graduated in law, made my parents proud and led the way they wanted me to for my brothers and sisters. I was raised in an environment of artists, my father is a sound engineer, so we would always meet famous musicians, my sister and I used to play in tv commercials a lot when we were kids as my dad owned a recording studio. During Christmas times the family will gather and you would hear a guitar playing, singing and dancing…but at the time I didn’t know that I had an artist in me and the idea never crossed my mind. Then upon the birth of my twins back in 2013 I decided to take a sabbatical that is when I discovered sculpting. I took some lessons in sculpting and I absolutely loved it, as I always say, it was love at first sight.
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
Dora: I am from DRC, South Africa (Johannesburg) has been my home for 16 years now, the people are amazing, personally I haven’t felt any oppression in the world of art. I feel home here, and in general people congratulate me for the strength I had to leave my country of origin and move to another foreign country not knowing the language, and deciding to settle down and on top of everything give up your work as a lawyer and become an artist with uncertain incomes?…it’s brave…
Any challenges?
Dora: Like any other field there are always challenges. For me, some of my challenges are : finding my unique style and be consistent to it, putting my work out there for the world to discover it, reaching galleries is also a mission… but I don’t stress about it because at the end of the day Art is about connecting with people’s emotions even if it’s not always easy to transmit the message you want to, to the public..
Kindly describe your working process
Dora: I barely use tools when I work, most of the sculpting is done with my hands. I work with clay, cement, plaster, wires and bronze.
I particularly like working with clay because the result is immediate, and I can correct mistakes in seconds if needed. what is exciting is that the touch becomes my signature and creates a sense of vitality in my sculpture that is rewarding, the malleability of clay allows me to work quickly, it ability to transform from a soft material into a hard, permanent material also appeals to me. The strength and fragility of clay in its final stage is similar to our own life. I first have to know what story I want to tell. Once I have an idea of what I want to express, I then start sculpting. The sculpture begins with a visual image, and words come after. Usually my sculptures guide me through the process, I might have a fixed idea of what I want to work with but in the middle of the project, the sculpture decides on the path I have to take. My sculptures surprise me, at the end of the project I have to fall in love with my sculpture if I don’t then it’s not worth showing it to the public. Sometimes I’m inspired immediately and sometimes it takes a while. It’s something you can’t control, much like falling in love.
How do you develop your art skills?
Dora: I enroll myself to workshops, like I said I like to learn and I believe that there is always room for improvement in everything we do, I enter competitions to keep myself challenged.
When is your favorite time of the day to create?
Dora: I like working at night cause its quiet and that’s when I get my inspiration. I have endless amounts of fun and experience great joy in my studio. I am enjoying the freedom of being able to express my creativity.
How is art important to society.
Dora: Art is personal, but can speak things that can’t always be said with words, it allows us to form true connections with people globally. Art encourages dialogue and welcomes emotions… I like having conversations with viewers, and it’s fantastic to start having discussions with them and seeing the work from their perspective.
Art communicates feeling, expresses soul-changing experiences, and even assists in bringing together people who share common values and life experiences. I trust that my sculptures will give the audience an opportunity to wonder, question and make their own interpretation. Being an artist is often a vulnerable path. You make something very personal and then present it to the world with an open heart, Then your work can provide: comfort, joy, or help someone escape to different lands without a spoken word.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Dora: Art allows me to express my feelings and I believe it also opens important conversations about taboos, social issues… I try to be very thoughtful socially and politically aware of my surroundings. Whenever I experience feelings of discomfort in my life, I translate those feelings through my art and feel I can be heard this way.
Are you open to collaboration or partnership?
Dora: I love working with fellow artists, interior decorators, architects and designers. I really believe that Both art and design are meant to communicate. Art communicates indirectly whereas design communicates directly. Art and Design are separate ideas but share common mediums.
Both art and design require a medium (stone, paint, electronic-screen) to become manifest. Art, and design, are in the eye of the beholder.
Any advice for upcoming artists?
Dora: Find your Unique style, be true to yourself be authentic be confident and believe in yourself.
How can people get in touch with you?
Dora: You can follow me on Instagram at dora_lartiste and email dora.prevost@gmail.com
Thank you for supporting and appreciating what we, artists, dedicate our life to and what brings us joy.
To recommend someone (entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, change makers, NGO, etc) for us to interview, kindly email us at theflashbackshow1@gmail.com and we will reach out to them.
Hello lovely people, Are you a Textile/Fashion designer, a student or teacher? Are you looking forward to interact with professionals in the field of Textile and Fashion from different countries to connect, learn, and collaborate with each other?
Are you a Textile or Fashion Teacher/ Lecturer, and want your students to connect with other students around the globe to interact, learn and share ideas on Textiles and Fashion related topics and works?
Then kindly send a message to me or email me at aacquahnobel@gmail.com as we share, learn and collaborate.
Noble 