The Institute of Film and Television (IFT) of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) is seeking to deepen international collaboration through a new partnership with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana aimed at creating academic, research and professional opportunities for students and faculty.
The initiative was highlighted during a two-day Russian Film Festival held on June 16 and 17, which brought together students, lecturers and film enthusiasts to explore Russian cinema and discuss future areas of cooperation between Ghanaian and Russian film institutions.
According to officials of the institute, the festival marks the beginning of a broader engagement that could lead to student and lecturer exchange programmes, joint research projects, capacity-building initiatives and greater access to international film markets.
Professor Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi, Rector of IFT, described the collaboration as a strategic step toward positioning the institute within the global film education landscape.
“This is not a one-off event. We are looking at a long-term partnership that will include student and lecturer exchanges, capacity-building programmes and opportunities for our people to engage with and penetrate the Russian film market,” he said.
He noted that the growing global demand for African stories presents significant opportunities for Ghanaian filmmakers to work with international partners and showcase local narratives to wider audiences.
The festival featured screenings of four Russian films—The Challenge, Three Seconds, Flight Crew and The Star—giving students the opportunity to experience different storytelling approaches, cinematic styles and production techniques.
Dr Rebecca Ohene-Asah, Dean of the Faculty of Digital Media and Design and coordinator of the festival, said the programme was designed to expose students to international best practices and enhance their creative and technical capabilities.
She noted that Russia’s long-standing contributions to film and theatre made it an important partner for Ghanaian students seeking to broaden their understanding of global cinema.
“We need to learn from the best. Russia has a rich heritage in film and theatre, and we are interested in understanding how their cinematic aesthetics, techniques and visual effects can contribute to the growth of Ghana’s film industry,” she said.
The educational value of the festival was further underscored by discussions on influential Russian filmmaking traditions. Mr George Bosompem, a lecturer at IFT, highlighted the significance of the Soviet montage movement and its enduring influence on modern film editing techniques.
He explained that pioneering filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein and Vsevolod Pudovkin helped establish principles that continue to shape contemporary cinema around the world.
Students who participated in the festival described the experience as eye-opening and beneficial to their professional development.
Micaiah Milady Orlanda, President of the UniMAC Students’ Representative Council, said the event expanded students’ understanding of international filmmaking while exposing areas where Ghana’s film industry could improve.
She expressed hope that the partnership would lead to more exchange programmes, training opportunities and improved access to modern filmmaking equipment and resources.
Organisers believe the collaboration could pave the way for stronger ties between Ghanaian and Russian film institutions, promoting knowledge sharing, cultural exchange and the development of a new generation of globally competitive filmmakers.
