National Film Authority to Host Capacity Building Workshop and Stakeholder Engagement Forum for Ghanaian Filmmakers
The National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana has announced plans to organize a one-day capacity-building workshop and stakeholder engagement forum for filmmakers in Kumasi. The workshop, which is sponsored by the World Bank under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), will take place on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Golden Bean Hotel. The NFA intends to replicate the workshop in Tamale and Accra after this maiden one.
The workshop’s aim is to educate Ghanaian filmmakers on the latest trends in film production and marketing, equip them with knowledge of new technologies and equipment, and train them on best practices in international film production. The event will also provide a platform for engagement between stakeholders in the film industry on crucial issues, including the Development of Film and Classification Act 2016 (Act 935), the draft of the Legislature Instrument (LI), the Tax incentive policy, and the upcoming Africa Cinema Summit.
“A lot of productions are beginning to troop into Ghana because of the ‘Shoot in Ghana’ Campaign, and this will bring a huge boost to the industry,” said the CEO of NFA, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante. “Through this workshop, we hope to build the capacity of our filmmakers and equip them with the skills and knowledge that can match international best practices to enable them to take advantage of the productions that are coming into Ghana.”
In a nutshell, the NFA is committed to positioning Ghana’s film industry as an economically vibrant sector through strategic initiatives, such as the Cinema Development Agenda and the Shoot in Ghana Campaign. The workshop is part of the NFA’s efforts to equip Ghanaian filmmakers with the necessary skills to compete internationally and take advantage of the increasing number of film productions coming into Ghana.
Mr. Daniel Kofi Amoateng, the lead person for the workshop, said, “Filmmaking is increasingly changing, and our filmmakers need to be abreast of these new trends. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have gained enhanced skills and knowledge in the production and marketing of films to be able to compete internationally.”
In a nutshell, a vibrant creative economy is essential to a healthy national economy. The film industry is a significant contributor to the global economy and offers job opportunities, revenue generation, and infrastructure development. Therefore, it is crucial to build the capacity of filmmakers and equip them with the necessary skills to compete internationally.