This workshop program is led by Nepalese female indigenous film maker Asmita Shrish. The purpose of this project is t0 emphasize the importance of indigenous media for the exploration of their culture, language, spirituality and traditions, aswel as creating the tools and discourse for indigenous and minorities in Nepal to use cinema as a medium for the creation of awarenes..
Indigenous media isn’t only important for indigenous people to preserve their cultural expression, it can also be used to reflect indigenous values and to prevent the development of myths and misconceptions. By being visible through media, indigenous peoples have the possibility to build bridges between cultures and contribute to a multi cultural global society that acknowledges indigenous peoples as equal.
The workshops conducted by Asmita Shrish are a part of the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Film (FINFI) Festival, a festival of films made by Indigenous Filmmakers of Nepal, based in and outside of the country. The aim of this workshop is to engage young indigenous filmmakers into telling their own stories. It consists of two parts; the Practical Art of Filmmaking and ‘Discourse on Storytelling as a tool for empowerment’.
Being an Indigenous Filmmaker herself, Asmita’s main mission is to increase the awareness of indigenous voices therefore contributions to the film, television and interactive industries, and to provide integral services to the local and global industries. This workshop includes training young and emerging talented indigenous filmmakers from Nepal, as well as providing professional development opportunities to more senior filmmakers, producers and creators.
Goals of the project:
1. Increase the exposure of new works written and / or directed by Indigenous people in Nepal.
2. Narrative sovereignty with physical and political power by creating authentic stories
3. Supporting the development of the local communities through the craft of storytelling
4. Reaching a new target audience, whereby increasing opportunities for exposure of indigenous stories and indigenous media from Nepal
5. To create an inclusive environment for participants to build confidence in telling their own stories as they hear/see them
