Guyana will for the first time host the Cineffx Photo and Film Expo from March 8 to 10, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. This event is expected to allow photographers and filmmakers, whether professional or amateurs, the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry as well as showcase their work.
The idea came about after Chief Executive Officer of Cineffx Jason October found that he wanted to know more, and it was his brainstorming that saw the birth of Cineffx. “One of the reasons I’ve decided to host this expo stemmed from challenges I would have faced personally as a photographer and filmmaker which included not having somewhere I could have learnt photography and film in Guyana. Most of our photographers in Guyana are self-taught who would have watched tutorials on YouTube or taken some online courses. Photographers were always skeptical about sharing their knowledge with amateurs,” Jason said in an interview with The Scene.
Not having a school to go to or photographers willing to share what they knew forced photographers like him to search the internet. While local events afford filmmakers and photographers the opportunity to showcase their talent and skill, they do not provide them with knowledge. This particular event, he shared, will provide a platform for persons within the industry or those hoping to make a career from it to showcase their work and at the same time have that learning experience. Multiple workshops will cater for the various types of photography – landscape, fashion, wedding, portraits, documentaries, photography as art and art as photography as well as nude photography.
As it relates to film there will be workshops on cinematography, directing and media engineering.
Some of the lecturers will include – Saajid Husani, Dwayne Hackett, Michael Lam, Brian Gomes, Keron Bruce and Jason himself. For film those persons will be – Rudy Sawh (Media Engineering/Broadcasting) and Yaphet Jackman, an overseas-based Guyanese specializing in cinematography, who studied at the Ohio University’s School of Film. Monica Sanchez from the UN will be teaching Fashion Education. She, along with Rudy, Michael and Yaphet, will be at the Interact Symposium on March 9. On March 8, apart from photographers displaying their work on canvas and photo paper with workshops in the upstairs of the building, the main feature will be specifically on dance, music and jazz. There will be local performances by dancers, spoken-word poets, the playing of the violin, and local artistes.
The atmosphere, Jason said, will be soothing and performances will be kept subtle. On Sunday there will be a grand fashion show by Denise Jennings where more than 65 models will strut the runway displaying pieces from Hibiscus Couture House of Fashion along with pieces being displayed from ten other designers. This show in particular is beyond a fashion show; as organisers bill it as a fashion production where the models will be performing different routines inclusive of Indian and African, beach and Hip-Hop. Throughout the expo, models will pose as mannequins. Every half hour will find the mannequins being interchanged through their attire, cosplay and body art.
“We want to show that Guyana has the potential to produce future films. All that is missing is the education and this opportunity affords us to better ourselves to produce good ads on the radio, to produce good ads on the television, to produce future films and documentaries. We want to allow people to dream of such and dream big,” Jason shared.
The opening of the expo will include a film production by Yaphet. Those in attendance will include ministers of the government, possibly the president and the sponsors of the event.
The workshop comes at a cost of $10,000. Any additional workshops will be $3,000.
The opening ceremony starts at 9 am on March 8 and ends at 12 pm. The expo officially opens at 1 pm then goes until 10 pm. On March 9 and 10, the expo runs from 9 am to 10 pm. The entrance fee is $1,000 and food and beverages will be on sale.
Companies are invited to use the opportunity to showcase their services and products with Cineffx Exhibitors booths, Gallery Displays and Auctions. Interested persons or businesses can register at http://www.cineffx.com or contact Jason at 690-0951.
