AKIPRESS.COM - Approximately 100 screenwriters, film directors, producers, and other members of the Kyrgyz creative industry acquired storytelling techniques and scriptwriting skills from visiting American screenwriter Pamela Ribon November 14-16. Her visit was part of the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase program implemented by the Public Foundation “Sun People” with support from the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The American Film Showcase program highlights the value of film in fostering understanding and cooperation, dialogue, and debate. As part of her visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Ribon conducted a capacity-building workshop titled “Let’s Start with Your Story” at the Novotel Hotel, led a separate master class for creative professionals, and participated in a #GoNight panel discussion organized by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. As a whole, these activities provided participants with skills and inspiration to explore important social issues through storytelling and film.

Pamela Ribon is a screenwriter (Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Bears), performer, virtual reality and TV writer, comic book writer (MY BOYFRIEND IS A BEAR, SLAM!), best-selling novelist, and filmmaker. She also wrote and created a South by Southwest (SXSW) and Annecy award-winning animated adaptation of her critically acclaimed comedic memoir.