Authorities of National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) on Tuesday launched the first 2011 NAFTI Lectures to provide a platform for stakeholders in the Ghanaian movie industry to contribute towards its development. The lectures scheduled between February 14 and 18, would also provide a forum for academia, professionals and the public to share and exchange views on how to tackle challenges confronting the industry. Launching the programme in Accra, Professor Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI said they were being jointly organised with Goethe Institute (GI), a German educational institute that deals with cultural, social and political issues, to highlight the role of film and television in Ghana's socio-economic development. He said the lectures would be used to showcase the literary works and movie productions of Kwaw Ansah, a Ghanaian award-wining playwright. "Through daily viewing and discussions on his films and researched paper presentations on his work, the lectures would reflect on the filmmaker's contribution to Ghanaian cinema," he added. Prof Abraham expressed the hope that the lectures would provide alumni of NAFTI the opportunity to contribute towards development of the institute. Events slated for the week-long lectures include film screening and discussion, researched paper presentations and diner dance. Mrs Eleonore Sylla, Director of GI, gave the assurance that the institute remained committed towards forming partnership with NAFTI to give Ghanaian movie industry a facelift. Source: GNA