Shani Africa!NETWORKLEARNSHAREGROW at the Varsity Film Expo

The Varsity Film Expo supports the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, Africa’s masterplan for sustainable development and economic growth. The theme “No Poverty: From Awareness to Action” highlights the interconnected nature of the global goals, emphasising how poverty eradication has a ripple effect on achieving broader sustainable development.

VARSITY FILM EXPO 2024

No Poverty: From SDG awareness to Action

The Varsity Film Expo is not just a film festival; it is a pan-African platform for education, advocacy, and collaboration. The Expo is designed to foster the development of young and emerging filmmakers, provide a forum for capacity building and celebrate the role of film in driving sustainable development. The theme for this year, "No Poverty: From SDG Awareness to Action," highlights the vital role of cinema in raising awareness and driving progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063, Africa’s masterplan for sustainable development and economic growth. Through screenings, workshops, and panel discussions, the Varsity Film Expo will spotlight the contributions of emerging filmmakers and showcase their stories of resilience, innovation, and cultural heritage.

the varsity film expo 2024

WHY AFRICA

Africa is on the rise. It is the world’s fastest-growing continent in terms of Gross Domestic Product and has 10 of the world’s fastest-growing economies as noted by Africa No Filter in a recent report. The internet and mobile market is booming in Africa creating huge opportunities for the creative and digital economy. According to a recent report by UNESCO, Africa has the potential to create over 20 million jobs and contribute US$ 20 billion to the continent’s combined GDP.

WHY SDGs

The theme for the Varsity Film Expo 2024 is ‘No Poverty: From SDG Awareness to Action’. The theme supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a better world. The theme is in line with Agenda 2063, Africa’s master plan to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development by the year 2063. Film is a powerful and effective medium for raising awareness and motivating community action towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The Varsity Film Expo puts critical SDG issues in the limelight and stimulates conversations and dialogue around them.

The Varsity Film Expo is a platform for activating a new consciousness and trajectory among young African storytellers. One of its overarching aims is to help cultivate an African youth that is taking charge of its own destiny TODAY through storytelling.

WHY UNIVERSITIES

Africa has one of the fastest-growing higher education sectors in the world. Young people are the opportunity for Africa’s makeover. Currently, there are 9 million students enrolled in African universities. These students’ creativity and innovation can be harnessed to motivate positive transformation in Africa. Africa also holds a record for the highest youth population in the world. Young people are the biggest drivers of new media and technology and this makes them the ideal vehicle to spread the message on sustainable development goals and human rights

Why Film

The Varsity Film Expo promotes the growth of digital and cultural economies as enablers for sustainable development. Film can be effectively used to amplify sustainable development. The rise in digital content consumption in Africa indicates a readiness to embrace the seamless integration of new media, creative arts and culture.

THE VARSITY FILM EXPO 2024

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING?

The Varsity Film Expo is an annual event for emerging content creators at university. We feature film screenings, speaking sessions, workshops, exhibitions and awards. The program is tailored to satisfy the needs and tastes of young and emerging filmmakers although it’s open to other attendees.