Ghanaian film critics and filmmakers must work together for the growth of the film industry

Former Vice President of the African Federation of Film Critics (AFFC), Mr. Francis Ameyibor, on Monday called on Ghanaian film critics, writers, and film producers to cooperate to revamp the film industry in the country.

He explained that collaboration will help produce the necessary recuperative work required to make the Ghana film industry vibrant once again.

Mr. Ameyibor, who made the call, noted that collaboration between filmmakers, producers, and film critics is very urgent for the necessary transformation needed to fill the insatiable appetite of the Ghanaian film audience.

Mr. Ameyibor, who is the President of the Ghana Federation of Film Critics, noted that Ghanaian writers were not only good storytellers but have proven to be storytellers concerned not primarily with material gratification but rather with the overall well-being of the community.

The Ghana Federation of Film Critics, which is an affiliate of the African Federation of Film Critiques (AFFC), is also a sector of the International Federation of Film Critics (fIPRESCI).

Mr. Ameyibor made the statement during the discussion with Mr. Charles Ayetan, former Communications and Media Liaison Officer of the African Federation of Film Critics, towards revamping the Ghanaian film critics and creating a platform for film producers and journalists to work together towards the growth of the film industry.

He noted that film producers play a critical role in the country as they entertain, instruct, and enlighten the propagation of Ghana's cultural heritage without necessarily glorifying superstition or deliberately demonizing religion and custom.

He said Ghanaian film critics and writers have the ingredients to enrich and 'radicalize' Ghanaian films to boost their revenue potential.

Mr. Ameyibor noted that currently, the Ghanaian film environment is fertile for alternative educational but yet entertaining films; "there is an urgent need for alternative films to replace the bloody, juju, and criminal-minded ones from other countries beaming on our screens."

Mr. Ayetan, who is a seasoned journalist and film critic, appealed to Ghanaian filmmakers to collaborate with critics for the growth of the industry, stressing, "We all seek to inject modern dynamism into the industry."

He called for closer collaboration between filmmakers and critics, stressing that a film critic is an individual who gives his reason and brings out different ways of understanding a film.

In October 2005, a five-day sub-regional workshop on film criticism in Africa (managed by Olivier Barlet, France) ended in Accra with the establishment of the Ghana Federation of Film Critiques.

The workshop was attended by Ghanaian and Nigerian journalists as well as students of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).

It was jointly organized by the French Embassy in Accra in collaboration with NAFTI.