Prior to the earthquake, there was a tiny film school in Jacmel. It had only been in operation a few short years, and although it is not considered one of those must-attend film-schools such as New York Film Academy, Vancouver Film School or Columbia University, for those aspiring Haitian filmmakers who were lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend, Ciné Institute it is an important stepping stone to their future careers in film. The school got its start in a Film Festival; Le Festival Film Jacmel launched in 2004. Brainchild of filmmaker David Belle, the school has been using Film production as a catalyst to give a future to students in Jacmel. Their work had already begun receiving early acclamation prior to the quake.
Ciné Institute’s mission reads:
Using the power of cinema, integrated educational programming, technical training and media production support, Ciné Institute educates and empowers Haitian youth who seek the creative, technical and business skills necessary to grow local media industries that can provide jobs and spur economic growth needed to improve their lives and the lives of others.
For anyone working in some way in Haiti prior to the quake, it is difficult at best to realize that all of the work has to begin again; that what had been laid down prior to the quake has to be rebuilt from scratch is altogether heartbreaking. Still, what the students of Ciné Institute have aside from talent and desire is hope and opportunity.
Ciné Institute’s first tweet, post-quake read “Massive damages all over Jacmel. Staff and students ok.”
Since that tweet, a mere seven hours after the quake, several students have posted their videos to the web. These films document the aftermath of the disaster with a professional eye and a personal heart that many filmmakers can only dream of.
In the rebuild, it is schools and businesses like Ciné Institute who will fly to the forefront of Haiti’s future, not because the school is filled with talented filmmakers or scriptwriters, but rather because, every Haitian who had hope for the future prior to the quake, knows that this disaster brings more hope to their homeland than ever existed before. And what better way to showcase hope and opportunity to a devastated populace than through the magic of cinematography?
