A three-member panel discussion at the ongoing Africa Cinema Summit emphasized the significance of projecting local language films on the big screen to drive African cinema’s growth.
Moderated by renowned media personality, Lerny Lomotey, the discussion featured esteemed filmmakers Adjetey Anang, Tony Tagoe, and Gloria Osei-Sarfo.
The panelists unanimously agreed that local language content is crucial for African cinema’s development, citing its ability to promote cultural identity, authenticity, and connectivity with audiences.
Adjetey Anang noted, “Local language films resonate deeply with our people, telling stories that reflect our experiences, traditions, and values.”
Tony Tagoe added, “By showcasing local language films on the big screen, we’re not only preserving our cultural heritage but also creating economic opportunities for filmmakers and the industry.”
Gloria Osei-Sarfo emphasized the importance of accessibility, stating, “Local language films can reach a broader audience, transcending language barriers and fostering a sense of community.”
The discussants also addressed challenges facing local language film production, including funding, distribution, and marketing.
Lomotey posed thought-provoking questions, sparking insightful discussions on:
1. Overcoming language barriers to reach a wider audience.
2. Balancing commercial viability with artistic expression.
3. Collaborations between filmmakers to promote local content.
The panel concluded with a call to action,
urging filmmakers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to prioritize local language content, invest in infrastructure, and develop sustainable distribution models.
Key Takeaways
Local language films are essential for African cinema’s growth and cultural preservation.
Authentic storytelling resonates with audiences and promotes cultural identity.
Accessibility and distribution challenges must be addressed to expand local language film reach.
In an interview, Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, CEO of the National Film Authority (NFA) – Ghana, shared her insights on the importance of local language in African content and the growth of the film industry.
Miss Asante emphasized the significance of local language, citing her own experience
learning South Korean through K-dramas. “If you gave me the same film in English, I wouldn’t watch. I’d go back because I’m beginning to get used to the sound of their language.”
She stressed that local language promotes cultural identity and pride. “You can’t take a foreign language as your own. We don’t think in English; we think in our local language.” Asante criticized parents who fail to teach their children their local language, saying, “If your child can’t speak your local language, you should be ashamed.”
The NFA CEO highlighted the success of the Africa Cinema Summit, introducing new elements like the deal room and legacy awards. “This is not just about learning; it’s about networking, business, and pushing a strong cinema network.”
Asante envisions a continent-wide cinema
network, targeting 10% of Africa’s 1.5 billion population. “If we can reach 150 million people, each paying $5, a film can easily make $750 million.”
She emphasized the need for African unity, beyond artificial borders. “We are one people; we have the same cultures, skin, and languages. We need to remove those borders from our minds.”
Miss Asante concluded, “When we break down these barriers, we will leapfrog our progression and advancement.”
Key Takeaways:
– Local language is crucial for African content and cultural identity.
– The Africa Cinema Summit introduced new elements, fostering networking and business opportunities.
– A continent-wide cinema network can generate significant revenue.
– African unity is essential for growth and advancement.
Next Steps
The NFA will continue to promote local language in African content.
The Africa Cinema Summit will expand to other countries.
Collaborations between African filmmakers will increase.
Miss Asante’s passion for African cinema and cultural preservation is inspiring a new wave of filmmakers and industry leaders.
About Africa Cinema Summit
The Africa Cinema Summit (ACS) is a three-day event that convenes stakeholders from
across the global cinema industry in Africa. Africa Cinenma Summit uniquely addresses the specific dynamics, challenges, and
abundant opportunities within the African cinema space. The summit is designed to be results-driven, providing a vibrant and collaborative platform for participants to engage, network, form partnerships, generate leads, and potentially close deals both during and after the event.
Why Africa Cinema Summit
Africa remains the most underserved market in cinema exhibition, with fewer than 1,700
screens serving a population of over 1.3 billion. This translates to approximately one screen for every 787,402 people. While cinema attendance is on the rise across the continent, the limited number of cinemas cannot keep up with the growing demand. Africa’s communal nature and rich socio-cultural landscape offer significant potential for cinema development.This presents a clear opportunity for stakeholders across the value chain to capitalize on this untapped market. Despite substantial growth in film
production across Africa, its potential as a cinema powerhouse remains largely unrealized. According to UNESCO’s 2021 report, with the right strategies, Africa’s film and audiovisual industries could generate over 20 million jobs and contribute $20 billion to the continent’s GDP. The Africa Cinema Summit (ACS) has been established to help bridge these gaps and seize the opportunities that come with addressing them.
By Kingsley Asiedu
