MultiTV, FIPAG sign MoU to organise Ghana Film Awards

Multimedia Group's satellite television platform, MultiTV, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) to organise an annual movie awards.

The agreement will see the two entities jointly organise an annual Ghana Film Awards aimed at rewarding excellence in movie production in the country.

Nana Yaa Sarpong, Channel Manager for Cine Afrik speaking on Rhythmz A-Z on Joy FM with Mamavi Owusu Aboagye Saturday said, the awards will be an all-inclusive one.

She explained that, “The game plan is to be able to have an all-encompassing event where we involve all stakeholders. We just started with the process and involving FIPAG was a major part of it since they are the content owners. Even in the MoU we made it clear that it would also be open to any other person [producer] who would want to submit their works.”

The Ghana Film Awards, Nana Yaa Sarpong noted, is an idea that has sat in the MultiTV business plan right from its inception and Cine Afrik, apart from showing rich local content, has over the years striven to collaborate with local producers to project Ghanaian productions.

A major concern for the general public and pundits is the sustainability of the awards, but the Channel Manager assured that the organisers will learn from the mistakes of other awards.

“What we are putting together is something that is prestigious, something that is credible, something that is extravagant to witness and be a part of and then something that will stay relevant for years to come,” she assured.

FIPAG had announced earlier this year that it was disassociating itself from the Ghana Movie Awards organized by Ghallywood Production (GP) Limited. The film producers' body alleged that the organizers were taking the image of Ghana's movie industry for granted and they do not respect the filmmakers.

James Aboagye, FIPAG General Secretary also speaking on the MoU said his outfit's decision to partner Multimedia (MultiTV) was because of its reputation.

“FIPAG currently wants to associate itself with institutions with prestige, institutions which have over the years built positive images for themselves…although there were several proposals, we preferred working with Multimedia,” he said.

According to the terms of the agreement, FIPAG will receive 30% of the proceeds from the Ghana Films Awards which will be put into a fund that will go to the benefit of film producers.

Both parties, as part of the MoU, have agreed to set up a seven-member technical team – four from MultiTV and three from FIPAG – that will be tasked to design and man the awards.

The awards, which will include a film festival, will be launched later this year. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Ernest Dela Aglanu (Twitter: @delaXdela / Instagram: citizendela)