Third edition of Graphic Showbiz Forum held

The third edition of Graphic Showbiz forum successfully came off at the head office of Multichoice Ghana in Accra yesterday, July 25.

Themed, “Future of Ghana Movie Industry, Bright or Bleak?” the event saw a number of industry players in the film sector hold relevant conversation on the state of Ghana’s Movie Industry and the way forward.

The panellists for the forum were George Bosompim, a lecturer at National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and Public Relations Officer of The Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), and Peter Sedufia, a film director and CEO of Oldfilm Productions.

The others are Ivan Quashigah, Film Producer and CEO of Farm House Productions, Prince David Osei, an actor, and Afua Kissi-Nyame, Head of Marketing, MultiChoice Ghana.

In their respective presentations, the main speakers dispelled the notion that the Ghana Movie industry was not alive.

They expressed optimism about its growth and noted that they were still very much capable of making progress if intentional steps were taken.

They asserted that filmmakers were making progress with the meager resources at their disposal and had huge potential of setting records with support from the authorities.

They also shed light on the potential of the film industry and was of the firm belief that concerted efforts were needed to create a platform that would enable filmmakers to receive help for growing their businesses.

Mr Ivan Quashigah said the Movie industry was evolving and its potentials should not be out rightly dismissed.

“I will say the industry is still growing. We are not dead like people say. With the right initiatives and support our industry will eventually get there,” he said.

Peter Sedufia called for government regulation to ensure order and create an enabling environment and working system to propel the industry to its desired status.

George Bosompim entreated players to understand the laws and regulation governing their works since it provided them with the requisite knowledge and guide what they do.

Actor Prince David and Madam Afua Kissi-Nyame were of the belief that unity among film industry players was an important ingredient for the sector’s development.

In an earlier address, the Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana, Mr Alex Okyere said Ghana has a rich history of film production when its films were popular across Africa in the 80s and 90s.

He pointed out that the industry has, however, faced challenges in recent years including piracy, lack of funding, disinterest from some key stakeholders and a decline in audience numbers.

Me Okyere said despite the challenges, he was certain that the future of the Ghana movie industry is still bright.

“There are several factors that are working in favour of the industry, including the rise of digital technology, which has made it easier and cheaper to produce and distribute films.

“The growing popularity of streaming services like Showmax have provided a new platform for Ghanaian films to reach audiences around the world.

“Also, since MultiChoice launched Akwaaba Magic channels, it has sparked the fire in the bellies of producers like Ivan Quashigah, Shirley Frimpong Manso and young budding producers like our MultiChoice Talent Factory graduates to cash in on the opportunities,” he said.

In a presentation, the editor of Graphic Showbiz, Ms Adwoa Serwaa Bonsu, mentioned that the relevance of forum was to create a platform for knowledgeable panel who understood the elements of filmmaking to figure out the direction of our movie sector.

The Director of Marketing for Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Franklin Sowah thanked the panellists and guests for heeding to the call for relevant discussion on the move industry.

He also pledged the GCGL’s commitment to creating relevant platforms for productive conversations about Ghana’s creative industry including the film sector.

The event which was moderated by Media and Communications Consultant, Francis Doku, had in attendance key players in the film sector including the Deputy Executive Secretary of National Film Authority, Kofi Adinkra, Abeiku Sagoe, Edinam Atatsi, Socrate Safo, Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture (NCC), Michael Ola, former PRO for Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), and fil producer/director, Kobi Rana, Kwasi Aboagye and Clementos Suarez.

The others are actors Harold Amenyah, Gloria Osei Safo, Kafui Danku, Fiifi Coleman, Bill Asamoah and Big Ghun, AMVCA winner.

The retired editor of Graphic Showbiz, Nanabanyin Dadson also graced the occasion, including young film producer/directors and students of National Film and Television Institute, (NAFTI).

The forum is the third in the series by Graphic Showbiz after the maiden event in 2020, themed: “Moving from Promises to Action, A Discussion Of Party Manifestos On the Creative Industry.”

The second edition was held on the theme, “Maximising the benefits of Digitisation in the Covid-19 Era”.