The National Film Authority of Ghana has partnered with Silverbird Cinemas to host the second Africa Cinema Summit in Accra from October 7-10, 2024, per deadline.com. The event, themed “The Relevance of Cinema in African Communities,” will take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel.
Following a successful inaugural event last year, which saw participation from 20 African countries, the summit aims to build on the progress made in the African cinema industry.
Key achievements from the previous summit include Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo’s approval of a 20% film tax rebate, and commitments from Filmhouse Group and Silverbird Ghana to support the local film industry.
This year’s summit will focus on “growth in quality of local content production and consumption driving the case for increased cinema investment.” Additionally, it will explore ways to reimagine cinema for Africa’s mass market segment, addressing the continent’s significant youth demographic who have limited exposure to cinema.
Notable speakers include executives from IMAX and local exhibition heads. Attendees will encompass cinema exhibitors, industry leaders, investors, filmmakers, producers, distributors, studios, policymakers, and other stakeholders from Africa and beyond.
Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, CEO of the National Film Authority of Ghana, underscored the transformative potential of the summit, envisioning the creation of over 20 million jobs and a $20 billion contribution to Africa’s GDP, as projected by UNESCO. “Africa’s cinematic prowess is undeniable, yet remains largely untapped,” she stated.
The executive team includes industry veterans such as Moses Babatope, Rob Arthur, Tim Yaw Struthers, Ojoma Ochai and Funmi Onuma. They aim to introduce cinema culture to Africa’s youth, with Asante highlighting that over 80% of Africans have never experienced a cinema due to infrastructure challenges.
Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, emphasised the potential for investment in the film industry, encouraging stakeholders to invest in studios and cinemas to support the burgeoning ecosystem.
The Africa Cinema Summit promises to be a pivotal event for the continent’s cinema industry, fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.
