By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to collaborate with all stakeholders to enable the development and promotion of a transformed and thriving Film Industry in the country, the team from Sierra Leone that participated in the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has on Tuesday 7th December 2021 held a one-day solution based symposium on how can the film industry can fuel development in the country. The one-day symposium, which brought together film producers, actors, technicians, was held at the Sierra Palms Conference Hall on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.
Present at the symposium were the Deputy Commissioner General of the Dubai Expo Team, Dr. Tony Morgan, Charlie Haffner, Producer/actor, Amb. Phebean Swill, Producer/Actor, Sia Comfort Ediener Nyukeh, Technical Director at Crips International, Yinka Shocole etc.
It was stated during the symposium that film industries in Africa could quadruple their revenue to $20bn (£15bn) and create an extra 20m jobs in creative industries, according to a UN report about cinema on the continent and that the booming film industry in Nigeria, Nollywood, is the world’s second-largest film industry in terms of output and Senegal were examples of African countries with defined business models and growing avenues for local film productions, which are increasingly sought after by television and streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, according to a report by the United Nation’s cultural body, UNESCO.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner General of Dubai Expo 2020 Sierra Leonean team, Dr. Tony Morgan, noted that out of the experience gained they intend to build a film industry for commercial purpose which will be self sustainable.
He maintained that it in that regard they deemed it fit to organize a one day solution based symposium on how the film industry can fuel development in the country bring together film experts including producers, actors etc. in a round table discussion to chart the way forward on how Sierra Leone can leverage on the new media, globalization and technology to build a commercially viable film industry.
Dr. Tony Morgan said that commercialization is the process of bringing new products or services to market of which he said the broader act of commercialization entails production, distribution, marketing, sales, customer support, and other key functions critical to achieving the commercial success of the new product or service.
He pointed out that during their discussion panelists present recommended that there is need for change in orientation of which producers will also concentrate on the business part of the film industry which will help improve the industry through revenue generation.
He stated that this will also open an opportunity for producers to expand from the normal film production to production for international audience of which he said they are going to have better training, good script writers, good producers and better film makers in the country.
The Deputy Commissioner General revealed that Expo Dubai 2020,in which Sierra Leone participated, undoubtedly offered a unique platform for countries around the world to showcase diversity and their potentials, to connect with business leaders and policymakers, attract investments, and discuss ways of fostering a brighter and sustainable future for all, urging greater partnership, dialogue and collaboration among nations.
He maintained that from the recommendations they will receive from the symposium they intend to use them and engage other Government agencies in order to have a road map towards the development of the film industry in the country.
The Technical Director at Crips International, Yinka Shocole, who is one of the participants, commended Expo 2020 Dubai UAE for the initiative to bring together film producers, actors, technicians to discuss on how can film fuel development in Sierra Leone which he described as a move in the right direction towards the development of the industry in the country.
Yinka Shocole stated that one of the findings in the film industry is the aspect of research and that most film producers don’t engage in research before filming is done, adding that when research is done before filming it will give the producers the opportunity to understand the dynamics in filming which includes him knowing what to say, to whom and what does his audience want, furthering that he will also know how can he make his film global which will give him the opportunity to sell his film not only Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole.
He concluded by saying with this symposium and the recommendations film producers will engage in research in order to produce quality films that will not only be sold in Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole.
