The Africa Cinema Summit (ACS) 2024 recently concluded with great success, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and cultural advocates to discuss how cinema can influence African narratives and foster social change.
Held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, the three-day summit highlighted the transformative power of African cinema. With the theme “The Relevance of Cinema in African Communities,” the event kicked off on Monday, October 7, 2024, featuring inspiring keynotes, film premieres, and strategic discussions.
A notable moment was the premiere of “The Uprising – Wives on Strike 3,” a film that creatively addressed important social issues through humor.
Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, the CEO of the National Film Authority of Ghana, emphasized the importance of reviving cinema in African communities.
She noted that a large percentage of Africans have never experienced watching a film on the big screen and urged industry leaders to engage the youth in creating content across various platforms, including film and gaming.
The summit also included a fireside chat with Nigerian actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli, who shared her insights into the world of African cinema.
Oboli emphasized the emotional impact of watching films in theaters and how cinema helps preserve African storytelling traditions.
Industry veterans like Kene Mkparu, CEO of Komworld Limited, and actor Idris Elba shared their visions for the future of African cinema.
Mkparu announced plans to construct Africa’s largest cinema complex, while Elba encouraged filmmakers to stay authentic to their roots and tell genuine African stories.
The summit’s second day concentrated on local content production and investments in African cinema, with ceremonies, keynote addresses, and panel discussions exploring the structural necessities of African cinema.
Topics ranged from designing modern cinema spaces to nurturing African filmmakers through various platforms.
Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan hosted a session focusing on the business aspects of filmmaking, offering strategies for African filmmakers to succeed in the global market by blending creativity with sound business practices.
The culmination of the summit on October 9 showcased the advancements in African cinema and honored key figures with Special Recognition Awards. Filmmakers and industry pioneers, including Abdul Salam Mumuni, Kunle Afolayan, and Ben Bruce, were commended for their contributions to the industry.
Discussions on the final day centered on local content and distribution strategies.
Panels delved into promoting films in indigenous languages to broaden cinema’s reach and tackled distribution challenges faced by African filmmakers, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to support the burgeoning film industry.
