Film Development Fund not your ATM –Ivan Quashigah to filmmakers

FILMMAKER Ivan Quashigah has urged Ghana’s moviemakers not to view the newly launched Film Development Fund as quick cash for personal gain.

Instead, they must treat the fund with a GH¢20 million seed allocation from the government as a strategic investment to build the industry. 

Mr Quashigah, who is also the Board Chair of the National Film Authority (NFA), gave this reality check at the fund's official launch at Silverbird Cinemas, Accra Mall, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Addressing a gathering of government officials, industry players, creatives and members of the media, Mr Quashigah said, “The Film Development Fund must not be misunderstood. It is not a bonanza. It is not an opportunity for practitioners to dip into public resources and go on a spending spree.”

He explained that the initiative is designed to support meaningful growth within the industry and should be used to produce quality films and build sustainable businesses.

“Rather, it is a strategic investment vehicle that must be used judiciously to produce quality films, build sustainable enterprises, strengthen value chains and revive the Ghanaian film industry,” he added.

The launch also saw the inauguration of the Film Development Fund Management Committee and the Film Classification Committee, marking a key step in operationalising the fund and strengthening regulation in the sector.

The event formed part of a broader national effort to reposition Ghana’s film and audiovisual industry as a viable contributor to economic growth and cultural development.

The fund, according to the board, is a strategic initiative established to support production, distribution, exhibition, training and infrastructure development within the industry.

It is also expected to drive innovation, expand audiences and promote Ghanaian content both locally and internationally.

Mr Quashigah described the launch as a defining moment for the industry.

“It marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development and transformation of Ghana’s film and audiovisual industry. It reflects commitment, collaboration and belief in the immense cultural and economic value of the creative arts.”

He noted that for years, Ghanaian filmmakers have shown resilience despite limited funding and infrastructure, making the establishment of the Fund both timely and necessary.

“The establishment and operationalisation of the Film Development Fund is not merely the creation of another institutional mechanism. It lays a strong foundation for a more sustainable, structured and investment-driven film industry in Ghana,” he said.

The Fund is expected to finance feature film production, training institutions and improve distribution and cinema access across the country.

Mr Quashigah emphasised that the seed money should be seen as a starting point and not an end.

“The GH¢20 M seed allocation must be seen not as an end in itself but as a seed that must be nurtured to bear the desired fruits,” he said.

He further stressed that the success of the Fund would depend largely on how responsibly it is managed and utilised.

“I am confident that supported projects will be selected based on merit, viability, quality, audience appeal and investment potential,” he said.

He also called for a system that allows funds to be reinvested.

“Projects should be structured in a way that allows funds to return into the system so that other filmmakers can also benefit. In this way, the fund can become revolving, regenerative and sustainable,” he added.

Mr Quashigah highlighted the economic potential of the film industry, referencing data that shows Africa’s audiovisual sector could significantly boost GDP and create millions of jobs with the right investments.

“This clearly demonstrates that film is not merely entertainment. Film is an economic infrastructure. Film creates jobs, stimulates tourism, preserves culture, drives exports, inspires innovation, strengthens national identity and empowers young people.”

He also stressed the importance of building audiences as a foundation for long-term success.

“Without audiences, there can be no commercial viability. Without access, there can be no audience growth,” he noted.

As part of efforts to strengthen distribution and exhibition, the NFA is pursuing the Ghana Cinema Train Initiative, aimed at taking films beyond traditional cinema spaces in Accra to communities across the country.