A remarkable chapter in Ghana’s cinematic history is unfolding as two final-year students from the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) embark on a groundbreaking international exchange program with Germany’s prestigious University of Television and Film Munich (HFF München). Aptly named African Dialogues@HFF, this initiative marks the first of its kind between the two institutions and signals a dynamic collaboration to reshape global storytelling through a more inclusive and diverse perspective.
The initiative, which has been in the works for two years, took a major leap forward on Monday, 26th May 2025, when Joanna Nhyira Adu-Amoani, a fiction directing student, and Kekeli Joachim, a cinematography student, departed Ghana for a six-week residency in Munich. There, they will partner with German students and faculty to co-create a short film that emerges from a personal encounter, challenging traditional Eurocentric narratives and embracing Afrocentric perspectives in storytelling.
This initiative was championed at the highest level of the leadership of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC). At the forefront was Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah, Vice- Chancellor of UniMAC, whose vision has consistently emphasized internationalization and the need for students to gain firsthand global exposure in film and television practice. His personal support and institutional backing reflect a broader goal of positioning UniMAC as a competitive global media training hub. Equally pivotal was Global Education and Collaborations Directorate (GECoD) of UniMAC, led by Dr. Lawrencia. Agyapong, whose extensive coordination efforts were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. From managing international partnerships to ensuring administrative and logistical support, the International Office played a central role in designing the framework of the exchange program and aligning it with UniMAC’s internationalization agenda.
The maiden edition of the African Dialogues@HFF initiative with UniMAC-IFT was strongly backed by the management of UniMAC-IFT, whose involvement underscored the Institute’s commitment to elevating African storytelling on the global stage. Prof. Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi, Rector of the Institute, provided strategic guidance that helped transform the vision into reality. He was joined by Ms. Jennifer Akude, Registrar, and Mr. Emmanuel Brown, Finance Officer; both of whom played crucial roles in ensuring the logistical and institutional framework for the exchange to take place. Dr. Ramatu Dadzie, Dean of Studies, lent her academic authority and endorsement to the program, reinforcing its relevance to UniMAC-IFT’s broader mission of fostering cross-cultural collaboration and excellence in media and film education.
The roots of this cultural partnership run deeper than academic design. It is a tribute to the cinematic legacy. HFF München, one of Europe’s most respected film institutions, specifically chose UniMAC-IFT as its African partner due to the historic connection with celebrated Ghanaian Filmmaker King Ampaw, the first Black student to attend HFF München. His pioneering spirit and cinematic excellence served as a bridge between continents, inspiring HFF to look toward Ghana for authentic collaboration.
According to Mr. George Bosompim, a faculty member of the Film Artistic Department at UniMAC-IFT, “African Dialogues@HFF is an exchange program where students from the University of Media Arts and Communication-Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) go to Television and Film University of Munich (HFF München) in Germany”.
The exchange, which is expected to run for three years, was meticulously structured. In November 2024, faculty members from UniMAC-IFT visited Munich to co-develop the concept and align academic and production strategies. Representing Ghana were Mr. George Bosompim (Film Artistic Department), Mr. Eugene Odame (Production) and Mr. Yao Ladzekpo (Film Techniques), who engaged with their German counterparts to ensure both logistical feasibility and creative synergy.
The student selection process at UniMAC-IFT was no less rigorous. Aspiring participants submitted applications showcasing not only their motivation but also their film concepts and technical vision. After a careful review, Joanna Nhyira Adu-Amoani and Kekeli Joachim emerged as the standout team.
“I’m expecting to learn a lot, especially in the area of directing films in fiction and also script writing. I’m expecting to get broader knowledge of it and gain more experience with it,” Joanna said.
“Also, I am going to another country to learn from them and the knowledge that they have and bring it back to Ghana, and use it to impact others,” she added, as one of her motivations.
For Kekeli, the mission is clear: “My aim right now is to become a better visual storyteller. Through this program, I know I’ll be able to learn more about visual storytelling and open my eyes to other possibilities in film outside visual storytelling.”
Kekeli also reflected on the comparative strengths between the two institutions: “At UniMAC-IFT, when we started level 100 and 200, we had the basic feel of everything. We went to different departments. Editing, Sound, among others, to learn. At HFF, they don’t have a sound department or production design department, they have studios. So, those lapses are sought of an advantage for us; so that we can also go and share that knowledge,” he explained.
During their six-week stay in Munich, Joanna and Kekeli will produce a short film of not more than 10 minutes based on an intimate encounter with a local, allowing cultural immersion to inform narrative direction. Filming will be done in Germany, with post-production in Ghana using UniMAC-IFT’s facilities. In the same spirit, HFF students will travel to Accra later this year, from August 15 to September 26, 2025 to undertake a parallel project with Ghanaian students, providing local support and mentorship.
The projects, which can be fiction, documentary, or hybrid, will be presented at prestigious platforms such as the Goethe-Institute, DOKfest, and Film school fest Munich, reinforcing cross-continental visibility.
This initiative isn’t just about learning, it’s about equality. Both Ghanaian and German students work with the same equipment and under the same production constraints, erasing disparities and fostering mutual respect.
The program is being coordinated by the International Office of HFF München, led by Elena Diesbach and Barbara Off, with creative oversight by renowned faculty including Prof. Karin Jurschick, Prof. Nicolas Wackerbarth, and Prof. Ingo Fliess. Funding is fully covered by the African Dialogues@HFF initiative, with students receiving stipends to support their stay.
To underscore the importance of this partnership, Prof. Nicolas Wackerbarth, HFF’s Head of Fiction, visited Accra from March 5th 2025 for a two-week engagement, where he had a masterclass workshop for UniMAC-IFT students and finalized plans for long-term cooperation.
In a moving show of support, the guardians of the two students gathered on May 19th at UniMAC-IFT to sign official bonds, symbolizing the start of not just a professional journey, but a deeply personal one. As the first cohort of African Dialogues@HFF steps into the international spotlight, they carry with them the hopes of two institutions, the legacy of a film legend, and the promise of a more inclusive future for global cinema.
This is not just an exchange. It is a cinematic handshake across continents and a celebration of stories waiting to be told.
By Makida El Husseini
Level 400 Broadcast Journalism Student.