African Meta Cinema Forum: First ever launched by National Film Authority

On Monday, August 15, 2022, the National Film Authority (NFA) launched its first-ever Meta Cinema Forum Africa at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The Meta Cinema Forum Africa is the largest gathering of international investors, distributors, developers, and important policymakers in the African film industry to discuss the potential for the expansion of the continent’s cinema infrastructure.

The main event was officially opened by the Board Chairman of NFA Mr. David Dontoh. The launch is to create awareness for the main event scheduled to come off in the month of November.

In her speech, Miss Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, CEO of NFA gave a background on how the initiative came about.

“The cinema has to do with our mindset change. People have to change their perception and their tastes in movies and music.

“Most people turn to look down on our cinemas and the content they put out because of their high taste in foreign music and movies”, she said.

Miss Asante emphasized that there is a lot of content being produced in Ghana that isn’t being broadcasted as much as it should be due to a lack of screens on which to advertise.

“We are producing more content but they are not on the market like expected because of the number of screens our cinemas have”, the boss of NFA added.

She attributed the slow progress NFA and cinemas have seen to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The world of cinema looks to rebound after COVID-19 and we are asking them to look to us for the next league of growth and development to create jobs and opportunities”.

On his part, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industries, Honourable Herbert Krapa said the Ministry is working with the initiative and assured of the government’s support for the project.

Renowned filmmaker, Mr. Kwaw Ansah who is also the Founder of TV Africa advised young filmmakers not to rush to become ‘professionals.

“Ghanaians are good storytellers and movie writers but they like to rush hence producing poor quality movies. People think going to a media school and getting a certificate shows that they are filmmakers which is not so.

“They do not like an apprenticeship, forgetting that everything should go through a process,’’ he concluded.

The event which is supported by Great Minds Group, an event and business center in the United Arab Emirates was graced by industry players such as actors Akofa Ejeani, Adjetey Anang, and Abeiku Sagoe..