Gov’t launches $25 million film pitch series
President Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday April 28, launched the $25 million Presidential Film Pitch Series, whose aim is to help make Ghana’s film industry a significant contributor to national development.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “the consistent favourable rankings of Ghana by the World Economic Forum Global Competitive Report as politically stable, with a safe and secure environment, unique and better tourist assets and infrastructure, should make the country a preferable film and tourism hub, which should be leveraged by Ghanaian film producers.”
He continued, “We are, indeed, the safest country in West Africa, and the third most peaceful country on the continent. This enviable position has great marketing and promotional ramifications for the development and sustainability of the Ghanaian film industry.It is for these reasons that we have gathered this afternoon to launch the first -ever Presidential Film Pitch Series, which is also the first of its kind in Africa.”
As a result of the Film Pitch Series, Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the National Film Authority, has brought together Ghanaian film producers on one hand, and investors, distributors and marketers on the other, to make deals to the tune of US$25 million.
With the $25 million investment already secured, President Akufo-Addo noted that this will go a long way to strengthen the local film ecosystem, with some 6,000 jobs set to be created as a result.
“Ghanaian film producers now have the opportunity to access markets for their films, and I want to take this opportunity to encourage local film producers to show more creativity and innovation in their productions to make Ghanaian films not only popular within the country, but also capable of satisfying international audiences,” the President added.
With the Ghanaian film industry having many talented players along the value chain, he assured that Government will continue to initiate policies and programmes to help make the Ghanaian film sector competitive and viable.
The National Film Authority, President Akufo-Addo said, will lead the charge in introducing business development modules into film-making, production and distribution, in order to help create a vibrant market for local film production.
