News

GMAI Presents Conference on the Development of Educational Programming
New York, July 30, 2008

The Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI), an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), organized the conference, “Educational and Cultural Programming, the Case of Brazil: Concepts, Laws, Development and the Future,” presented by the Director of the National Film Agency of Brazil, Sérgio Sá Leião.

Sá Leião provided an overview of the steps taken by the Government of Brazil to further develop its educational and cultural programming, and made suggestions as to how governments and agencies in other countries should go about designing educational programming of their own.

He pointed out the important role that the audiovisual arts industry can play in processes of democratization and expansion of human capital.

He discussed the Federal Government’s creation of Educational Television in partnership with the company EBC and the network TV Brasil, which was developed to increase the number of Brazilian films and television programs produced. To help ensure the network’s success, the Federal Government handed over to EBC all of its television and radio stations, as well as buildings, equipment and human resources. Furthermore, it partially finances the Educational Television, providing US$233 million per year.

The expert in educational programming also commented on the establishment of the National Film Agency, created in 2001 by the Government in Brazil to advance nation’s audiovisual industry through public policy; investment; audiovisual innovation; and regulation of film, television and video markets. A primary goal of the Agency is to increase the number of co-productions between independent Brazilian and foreign companies. Sá Leião discussed possible collaboration between Brazilian and Dominican production companies.

He stressed that educational and cultural television should not depend on advertisements, compete with private systems, be under government control, or have a religious or political orientation. The National Film Agency Director argued instead that educational and cultural television should be public, autonomous, diverse, civically conscious, and in promotion of local, national and independent productions. As it relates to legislation, the expert posited that laws that regulate television should be oriented to the consumer; consider technology and networks neutral; permit the convergence of new products and services; and favor innovation and creativity.

GMAI is dedicated to providing up-and-coming professionals in the television and film industry with comprehensive instruction in the latest trends in audiovisual production, as part of its overall mission to expand the multimedia industry of the Dominican Republic. The Institute seeks to play a key role in the development of a highly qualified Dominican audiovisual industry that significantly contributes to the economic development, competitiveness and modernization of the nation.

GMAI regularly offers introductory, intermediate and advanced courses. It also organizes events that promote greater understanding of the media arts, such as conferences, screenings and interviews with filmmakers.

Related link:
http://www.ancine.gov.br/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?tpl=home