Producer notes for the film festival From the desk of Folasade Olowu

Rejoice Uganda’s dream of bringing a baby film festival to the African continent for the first time, becomes reality on 1st May 2010.  The timing is right.    We only have 5 years to  achieve MDG 4 (Reduce Child Mortality) and 5 (Improve Maternal Health). There’s not much time. In keeping with its motto “We Care” the  Rejoice Uganda team are working long and hard within a short space of time to achieve what is turning out to be a truly ambitious project… but with lots of energy, passion, little sleep, and the support of  sponsors, volunteers, and well wishers we intend to pull it off.

Thank you all!

Countdown:

This is a first for Rejoice Uganda. At times it feels like we’re running around in a maze, but with legions of support from Debby (BABY! International Film Festival) and Natalie (Parent Television Network), and guided by our instincts, things begin to fit together… and we know we’re headed in the right direction!!

As Co-Chairs Marvin and I divide tasks. Even though we sometimes overlap and share opinions we try to stick to our designated areas. He deals with direct marketing /volunteers/printers/venue while I’m in charge of client liaison/sponsorship/film festival production.

It all begins with the Festival Pack – introductory letters, poster, flyer, tickets, draft program and of course the ‘S’ word:”schedule” Never thought it would come to this!  By far the most nerve-wracking of all festival item.  How something so simple can cause so much angst is beyond me. Everything’s fine till we have to think about timing, speakers, the flow, the rhythm, does it make sense, will it translate well….. “I don’t want to have anything to do with that schedule” Marvin’s words. I avoid looking at it now for fear of discovery…. an error or omission (for which I shall remain blameless).  Two eyes good four eyes better.  Marvin and I pore over documents with vision that goes from bright, to tired to just plain closed! It’s all about Baby! Uganda.  We send marathon SMSs; marathon in frequency only.  ‘T-shirts ready’.  ‘Call printers’. ‘Read Debby’s email!’ ‘Watched all films?’’ Phone call at 6, be at Palm Tree.’ Am Here! Where are you? Must print flyers today!!!

I appear calm.. despite our precious cargo of films being stuck somewhere between the UK and Uganda. A cloud of volcanic ash will determine our fate, imagine that! A week before the festival and still nothing..we must stay positive carry on with the marketing, meetings, last minute glitches, schedule changes, and then… it lands… the package is in the building!! We dance… we scream… we pass it around, rip it open and pore over its contents, reading Debby’s messages of encouragement and tips, handling each dvd with care- it’s like… Christmas!!
The Green Room, at the National theatre is a popular venue so we’re lucky to have it. We want everything to be perfect. I look for screens to hire but am dissatisfied with what’s on offer. Davidson, props/design whizzkid, wastes no time in building a super large screen of white cotton with steel bars courtesy of Kampala’s own Owino market, and a very nifty seamstress.  All this, in less than 24 hours. Superb! Meanwhile, Marvin notices an omission in the program (how could I have missed it?).  We send it back to Debby who kindly makes the necessary changes in the middle of preparing for a wedding party!  So, the program is delayed, the printers bombard us with calls, they’re waiting to print…  any delays and they cannot guarantee meeting the deadline.  What to do?  Once program is ready, we decide to print in b/w to save time.

Still haven’t received the film Birth of A Surgeon but certain we will.  Everything possible is being done to get the film to us..let’s keep hope alive.

It’s 24 hours before the festival still no Birth of a Surgeon.  We have to let go…I decide on local content.

Luckily for us one of our sponsors AMREF provides last minute support with a suitable film on E-training for Nurses in Kenya. I breathe a palpable sigh of relief and dash back to the theatre for a run-through only to discover a wedding meeting in progress.  The Green Room will not be free for another couple of hours..I did mention earlier, this is a popular venue. Meantime Marvin arrives with the programs which to my horror have been stapled incorrectly. We begin the task of re-stapling.. Davidson, Marvin and I.. and after about an hour and a half of  unpicking/collating and stapling umpteen programs we decide to call it a day.  The rest will be done by volunteers in the morning. We’re exhausted.  The Green Room is still occupied.  We will return at 7am for the run through.

THE FESTIVAL

Run through Day One.  Problems with sound.  There’s a gremlin in the system… finally fixed by team Theatre factory.

Volunteers are busy, arranging the hall looking cool in their t-shirts (Marvin’s idea). Good quality, bright graphics. There’s only one left and I’ve hidden it…!!

Both days start an hour later than scheduled; I delay screening to allow for more arrivals.  This means having to juggle time for film and discussion etc I’m already scribbling in my little black book. More people arrive (fingers and toes crossed!)

Excellent speakers!! Only one or two of our guest panelists can’t make it.  Dialogue is robust, issues of concern are aired, choice of films creates an energy buzz throughout the festival.  Local content is very well received. The festival line up on the whole is special.
Welcome coffee breaks and bites (coconut/pumpkin cake) sponsored by a Thousand Cups is a chance for informal chat, mingling with guests and giving press interviews.
By the end of the first day.  We feel confident enough as a team to handle whatever ‘unforeseen events’ might occur on Day 2.

Day 2

There is a noticeably larger audience and In General:

People see the benefits of such a festival and how it impacts on family… One mother brings her young daughters insisting she wants them to know about fistula and other important reproductive health issues.

As much as one tries to navigate proceedings, some sections are extremely popular…and demand more time for discussion! Angels in the Dust, for example.

Overhear people talking about Angels in the Dust at coffee break…

Light relief provided by comedian Ken Kimuli (aka) Pablo as a fab lead in to discussion after the screening of Labouring Under an Illusion. Must admit am surprised at how well it’s received and the critical discussion that follows is most interesting.

Feedback has been encouraging and exciting. Everyone thanks Rejoice Uganda for launching such a unique event.   “What made you think of this?”, people ask.  “It’s a great concept”!  “What can we expect to see from you in future”?

Its important to ride this wave ie keep the floodgates open… Rejoice Uganda is already planning next year’s Baby!

As I see it, the festival has exposed a lack and provided a forum for discussion by key players in leading to change in areas of critical need. And people want change!  The general consensus is that there isn’t enough vital health information getting to the people who need it …mothers and babies, families, hospitals and health sector workers – as training tools; schools/colleges/universities – as lessons in reproductive health.  There is need for a new maternal/reproductive health communication initiative one that is sustainable and will create advocacy for completion of MDGs 4 and 5 by 2015.