The Varsity Film Expo, is an annual event for emerging content creators at universities. We feature film screenings, speaking sessions, workshops, exhibitions, a book launch and awards honouring the best entries. The 2-day program is tailored to satisfy the needs and tastes of young and emerging filmmakers although it’s open to other attendees.
The theme for the Varsity Film Expo 2022 is ‘Africa animating SDGs’. The theme supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a better world. The theme is in line with Agenda 2063, Africa’s master plan to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development by the year 2063. Film is a powerful and effective medium for raising awareness and motivating community action towards Sustainable Development Goals. The Varsity Film Expo puts critical SDG issues in the limelight and stimulates conversations and dialogue around them.
Our primary target is young people as they are the torchbearers of tomorrow, the only way we can change tomorrow is by acting today. Africa has the youngest population in the world. We have chosen university students as they are the biggest drivers of Africa’s changing socio-economic landscape. 9 million students are currently enrolled in universities across Africa.
OUR VISION:
Our vision is a critical mass and generation of audacious young storytellers.
OUR MISSION:
Our mission is to discover, educate, nurture and promote young storytellers.
OBJECTIVES:
• To produce an event which promotes and celebrates films and filmmaking by student filmmakers in Africa.
• To curate unique cultural experiences which educate and entertain.
• To build audiences and grow a cinema culture in the region.
• To promote film literacy in Africa.
• To facilitate job creation and business opportunities for University students in content production.
• To facilitate collaborations between students at regional, continental and international level.
• To promote, market and distribute films by emerging filmmakers at African Universities
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
The Varsity Film Expo is a platform for activating a new consciousness and trajectory among young African storytellers. One of its overarching aims is to help cultivate an African youth that is taking charge of its own destiny TODAY through storytelling.
VALUES:
• Fun
• Creative
• Disruption
• Trust
• Diversity
• Collaboration
• Tolerance
• Artistic
• Innovation
WHY AFRICA
Africa is on the rise. It is the world’s fastest-growing continent in terms of Gross Domestic Product and has 10 of the world’s fastest-growing economies as noted by Africa No Filter in a recent report. The internet and mobile market is booming in Africa creating huge opportunities for the creative and digital economy. According to a recent report by UNESCO, Africa has the potential to create over 20 million jobs and contribute US$ 20 billion to the continent’s combined GDP.
WHY UNIVERSITIES
Africa has one of the fastest-growing higher education sectors in the world. Young people are the opportunity for Africa’s makeover. Currently, there are 9 million students enrolled in African universities. These students’ creativity and innovation can be harnessed to motivate positive transformation in Africa. Africa also holds a record for the highest youth population in the world. Young people are the biggest drivers of new media and technology and this makes them the ideal vehicle to spread the message on sustainable development goals and human rights
WHY SDGs
The theme for the Varsity Film Expo 2022 is ‘Africa animating SDGs’. The theme supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a better world. The theme is in line with Agenda 2063, Africa’s master plan to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development by the year 2063. Film is a powerful and effective medium for raising awareness and motivating community action towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The Varsity Film Expo puts critical SDG issues in the limelight and stimulates conversations and dialogue around them.
WHY ANIMATION
The Varsity Film Expo promotes the growth of digital and cultural economies as enablers for sustainable development. Animation can be effectively used to enhance African cultural expressions. The rise in digital content consumption in Africa indicates a readiness to embrace the seamless integration of new media, arts and culture.
For more information visit www.varsityfilmexpo.org
