New project · Accra, Ghana · 2026/2027
Next Frame Academy
Free 3-month course in photography and videomaking for passionate young Ghanaians.
The Vurria association, in collaboration with the Ghanaian NGO Climescape, offers a free 3-month training course in photography for passionate young Ghanaians, titled “Next Frame Academy”.
The course, held in Madina, Accra, will include in-depth theoretical and practical sessions in professional photography and videography, with every participant building a portfolio of real work by the end of the programme.
Why
Ghana is a young country, with a median age of about 22.
Many young people want to make images and videos and earn a modest living from it. Yet between their talent and the real job market there are gaps: equipment, training and, above all, someone to open a door for them.
“Next Frame Academy” aims to help young Ghanaians passionate about visual communication learn and gain new skills in this fast-changing digital world, turning them into meaningful professions.
We are also building strong partnerships with companies (Ananse Plus), media organisations, NGOs, government agencies and others to offer our graduates internships, paid assignments and mentoring opportunities.
Partner
Vurria
Vurria Cultural Association, based in Sicily, produces documentary projects and runs workshops. Since 2023 it has produced Pray for Seamen (winner of the Italian Council, Italian Ministry of Culture), Nonostante Ballarò, Nonostante Ustica, About Africa and Hotspot Mediterraneo. Now it brings this experience to Accra, with a school of photography and videomaking.
Climescape
Climescape is an NGO based in Accra, Ghana, created to raise public awareness of climate change through the power of images. With photography and videomaking, Climescape documents the transformation of land and communities, making environmental challenges visible and promoting awareness, dialogue and action. Through its partnership with the cultural association Vurria, Climescape will run a photography and videomaking course in Accra for young men and women, giving them creative and technical tools to tell the story of their environment and become protagonists of change.
Participants
Limited to 10 participants per group, aged 18 to 25
Duration
3 months of intensive training
Location
Nii Torgbor Street, Madina, Accra
Structure
Basic and advanced training modules: composition, shooting, editing, post-production and building your own professional portfolio.
Subject 1
Photography
Discover how to tell stories through the lens. Learn shooting techniques, composition and visual storytelling as you start capturing reality. Deepen your study of light and refine your skills during production, editing and post-production.
Subject 2
Videomaking
Learn to conceive and tell a story using the grammar of cinema. Starting from a basic idea, we will analyse it, adapt it to the language of the screenplay and identify strategies to realise it with modern filmmaking techniques.
Module 1
Photography
Objectives
- Understand the language of photography and how it is used to tell stories through effective, coherent images.
- Develop a complete photographic project, from the concept stage to the final selection of images.
- Acquire technical and post-production skills, improving the quality of photographs through professional editing and layout.
- Learn to present and promote your work: portfolio, publication and distribution in the photography market.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have completed a full photographic project, from research to final presentation, with practical skills in visual language, light management, advanced retouching and building an effective photographic narrative.
Topics
- Principles of photography. Course introduction, ethics and professional conduct in documentary and artistic photography, respect for the privacy and dignity of the people photographed.
- Technique and composition. How the camera works, shutter speed, aperture and ISO; rule of thirds, lines and perspective.
- Editing: selection and sequence. How to build an effective narrative sequence by choosing the best shots to tell a coherent story.
- Introduction to post-production. Colour correction, contrast, brightness and sharpness with Adobe Photoshop, without compromising the authenticity of the images.
- Creating the photographic project. Shooting sessions, first selection and review, refinement and final presentation to the group.
Module 2
Filmmaking
Objectives
- Understand the language of video and how images and sound are used effectively and coherently.
- Develop a complete film project, from the initial idea and screenplay to the final edit.
- Acquire technical and post-production skills and learn the rules of film editing.
- Learn to present and distribute your work, exploring promotion strategies.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have gained an in-depth understanding of the filmmaking process, from screenplay to production, from editing to distribution, and will be able to develop and carry out an audiovisual project independently. Through the CapCut workshops they will also gain practical video-editing skills.
Topics
- Film analysis and theory. How images and sound convey emotions, ideas and narratives, through the analysis of scenes from iconic films.
- Screenwriting. Classic narrative structures, dialogue and believable characters; from the idea to the treatment of your own short film.
- Shooting and audio recording techniques. Framing, camera movement, lighting, microphones and stabilisation.
- Review and correction. The “grammar” of editing, rhythm in visual storytelling, first steps with Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Production: tools and logistics. Budget, shoot planning, managing cast and crew.
- Developing personal projects. One-to-one mentoring, storyboard and screenplay refinement.
- Presenting the projects. Festivals, streaming platforms and digital marketing; presentation to the group and reflection on opportunities in the audiovisual world.