BSIFF and Majestic Cinemas lead the charge in West African film collaboration
The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) and Majestic Cinemas in Ivory Coast have joined forces to revolutionise film distribution across West Africa, breaking language barriers and fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
This partnership aims to bridge the gap between Anglophone and Francophone African film markets, promoting authentic African storytelling and empowering independent filmmakers.
As Africa’s creative economy accelerates, English-speaking filmmakers across the continent are setting their sights on new audiences—and a new frontier: Francophone West Africa.
Hence, this strategic partnership aims to facilitate the cross-distribution of English-language African films in Francophone territories, beginning with Ivory Coast, while also creating a reverse flow—bringing French-language African films to English-speaking regions.
According to Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, Founder of BSIFF, the initiative represents a bold and timely step toward building a more connected, inclusive, and commercially viable African film market.
“This is not just a distribution deal. It is a cultural bridge. For too long, African filmmakers have been separated by language and colonial legacy. With this partnership, we’re creating a new model of collaboration—one that respects local identities while strengthening pan-African unity through cinema,” she said.
In January, Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) announced the celebration of its 10th anniversary, a major milestone for the festival and the Ghanaian film industry.
To commemorate the occasion, the festival invited filmmakers from Ghana, Africa and around the world to submit their entries for the upcoming edition via its website or filmfreeway.
In July, BSIFF appointed Owusu Ansah Castro Sarpong as its new Festival Director. The new director is the first male to hold the position since its inception.
The festival, over the years, has birth a number of other film festivals in Ghana and impacted many films and filmmakers, giving them a platform to reach audiences far and near, as well as gain distribution.
