Workshop on quality content reviews, discusses children's programs from around the globe.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 14 August 2009 Film-makers and artists gathered at the Goethe-Institut this week to gain new insights into the production of children's television. Participants viewed top quality children's programs from around the world, collected by the Prix Jeunesse International Children's Television Festival held in Munich, Germany once every two years. Viewings were 
followed by discussions on the strengths and weaknesses of each program, and participants offered insights on what could be learned in order to strengthen children's content in Ethiopia. The week's events concluded with a script writing workshop, discussion on future collaborative projects, and a short ceremony recognizing participants for their involvement.
The event was organized by Whiz Kids Workshop, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut and Prix Jeunesse International. Whiz Kids Workshop received an award at the 2008 Prix Jeunesse festival for their Ethiopian children's television program "Tsehai Loves Learning." "It was such a privilege to participate in Prix Jeunesse in Germany last year, and get exposed to so many inspiring children's productions from around the world," said Mrs. Bruktawit Tigabu, co-founder of Whiz Kids Workshop and Tsehai Loves Learning. "We're happy that Tsehai is being shared with producers not only in Ethiopia, but at other Prix Jeunesse workshops all around the world. Tsehai is proof that high-quality children's programs can be produced with limited resources if you have a lot of creativity and a very dedicated team," added Mrs. Tigabu.
Ms. Susanne Rieschel came from Germany to organize the workshop on behalf of Prix Jeunesse International. Ms. Rieschel is the head of the children's and youth program for the ZDF, one of two big public TV channels in Germany based in Frankfurt. She has been involved in children's television production for more than 20 years. Ms. Rieschel co-facilitated the program with Mrs. Tigabu of Whiz Kids Workshop.
According to Whiz Kids Workshop co-founder Shane Etzenhouser, "We recently conducted an intensive eight week training in children's television production with the support of UNESCO's International Program for the Development of Communication, (IPDC.) We had originally planned to share the Prix Jeunesse Suitcase as part of that training, but realized that this aspect of the training should be opened up to all artists and producers in Ethiopia. Thankfully the Goethe-Institut made that possible." Students of Whiz Kids Workshop's production training were also honored with certificates at the conclusion of the events at the Goethe Institute. Five new episodes of "Tsehai Loves Learning" were produced by students as part of their training. These new episodes will be screened in cinema halls in the coming months.
"The Goethe-Institut cooperates with Prix Jeunesse to conduct similar workshops all around the world," said the new director of Goethe-Institut in Addis Abeba, Dr. Elke Kaschl Mohni. "We hosted another Prix Jeunesse Suitcase here in 2006, which led to Whiz Kids Workshop's participation and prize at the festival in 2008. The discussions this year have been lively and very fruitful. We hope it will trigger new ideas and projects for children's television here in Ethiopia. It's been a great way to begin my work here," continued Dr. Kaschl Mohni.
Whiz Kids Workshop is a local production company that focuses on serving Ethiopia through educational media. Their participation at Prix Jeunesse 2008 was made possible by the Goethe-Institut and UNESCO.
The Goethe-Institut is an organization acting world-wide to promote German language and intercultural exchange.
For more information please contact Bruktawit Tigabu at +251-91-1-653994 or Tenagne Tarekegn at +251-91-1- 647344
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bruktawit Tigabu, Whiz Kids Mobile: +251-91-1-653994, Email: tsehai@whizkidsworkshop.com
Tenagne Tarekegn, Goethe-Institut Mobile: +251-91-1-647344, Email: tenagne@addis.goethe.org
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