By Veronica Dariya
World Changers Media International Foundation, an NGO, on Wednesday in Abuja, trained over 25 media officers and content creators on production of impactful educational story telling documentaries, for humankind and communities.
Dr Janice Marie Collins, CEO of the foundation, while facilitating the workshop, tagged: “Mastering the Art of Documentary; Storytelling for impact and income,” urged participants to create narratives with lasting positive difference.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, was organised in collaboration with the African International Documentary and Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), for filmmakers and producers.
Collins, who is also the Director, Institute of International Journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University, USA, advised content creators to ensure they base their stories on truth and facts.
She, while defining the impact stories must carry, enumerated social responsibility, social change as a key goal and deepening the connection that target audiences must have with social issues.
“We must be able to humanise our stories by bringing attention to an element that is affecting society in order to bring about a positive change.
” Do not forget to enforce your professional ethics and conduct as a journalist or story teller; seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, be accountable and transparent,” Collins said.
She mentioned that with a creative strategy, business acumen and diverse funding source, comes a good source of income from storytelling and documentary productions.
Collins also noted that her foundation was committed to helping others in all things media to make the world better and help to give those marginalised and most vulnerable, a chance for a better life.
She further explained that, her team worked to support and create platforms for voices and stories that need to be heard and be included in the global narrative.
In her remarks, the Director-General, AFIDFF, Mrs Malame Mangzha, told NAN that the workshop was organised for officers in public relations and media departments of partner organisations of the Foundation.
She said: “We picked our participants from the media departments of organisations we have been working in partnership with for the past few years.
“We deemed it fit and important to empower these officers and our new generation content creators, to create contents that could drive impact in communities and the society at large, while also generating income in the process.
” However, our expectation at the end of the day is to see them tell their own stories with their own voices, in their own narratives.”
Mangzha also said that the two-day interactive workshop, was designed to equip both emerging and experienced creatives with practical skills, industry insights, and storytelling strategies for a better production.
She added that it would offer hands-on training, collaborative exercises, and real-time feedback to help sharpen participants’ crafts and expand their creative vision.
NAN reports that participants at the workshop included personnel from National Commission for Museums and Monument, National Troupe of Nigeria, National Park Services, National Film and Censor Board, social media content producers among others. (NAN)