Today marks the official start of the highly anticipated 9th annual Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF), an event that has become key in Africa’s film calendar. Running from September 17th to 22nd, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate African cinema and storytelling.

This year’s theme, “Tell Your Story: Elevating Unique African Narratives,” highlights the importance of African voices in the global film industry. As BSIFF continues to grow, it remains committed to giving filmmakers from Africa and its Diaspora a platform to share their stories, providing a rare opportunity for these narratives to reach wider audiences.

Over 50 films from more than 20 countries will be showcased throughout the week, representing a broad range of genres and styles. From feature films and documentaries to short films and animations, this year’s lineup promises to deliver thought-provoking, entertaining, and culturally rich content that reflects the diversity of the African experience.

In addition to screenings, BSIFF offers a dynamic program of workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, including its signature Africa Film Market. These sessions provide valuable insights into the filmmaking process, financing, and distribution, helping to bridge the gap for African filmmakers who often face barriers in accessing resources and platforms.

BSIFF’s focus on empowering Ghanaian, Black, and African filmmakers is central to its mission. By providing opportunities for emerging talent to connect with industry leaders, the festival aims to foster a thriving African film industry, not just in Ghana but across the continent.

Film lovers and industry professionals alike are encouraged to join the festivities in Accra and take part in this celebration of African cinema. With an exciting lineup of events and a focus on storytelling that connects people across cultures, BSIFF 2024 is set to be an unforgettable experience.

You can still register to attend and purchase passes through the official BSIFF website: www.bsiff.org. Exclusive membership opportunities are also available for those seeking additional access and benefits.

Stay tuned for more updates

Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return Secretariat, together with the PANAFEST Foundation will hold a transformative event that aims to bridge the gap between Africans and the global African diaspora through music and film. ‘Return Conversations: Role of Film and Music in Uniting Global Africans’ is scheduled to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre on July 25, 2023 at 10am. This event focus will be on the unifying potential of film and music in telling our stories.

A Forum for Unity and Cultural Exchange

The upcoming event promises a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, where participants will delve into the profound impact of film and music as powerful channels for fostering unity, understanding, and cultural exchange among Global Africans. Experts hailing from the Ghanaian and international film and music industries will take center stage to share their valuable insights and experiences on how these artistic mediums can serve as catalysts for connection, empowerment, and mutual appreciation.

Distinguished Voices in Film and Music

‘Return Conversations’ will include an impressive lineup of speakers, each a luminary in their respective fields:

• Jason Carter: The CEO of ONE Music Festival, Jason Carter has been at the forefront of promoting music as a universal language transcending geographical boundaries.
• Jasmine Young: As the Director of Warner Music and the Blavatnik Center for Music Business, Jasmine Young brings a wealth of expertise on the global influence of African musical talent.
• Trigmatic: A celebrated Ghanaian musician whose artistry has resonated with audiences worldwide, Trigmatic embodies the universal power of music to transcend cultural barriers.
• Rocky Dawuni: A multiple Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed Ghanaian musician, Rocky Dawuni’s work has been an instrumental force in uniting people through the use of his storytelling and advocacy through his music and philanthropic work.
• PY Addo-Boateng: With a diverse background encompassing music executive roles, film production, acting, and event production, PY Addo-Boateng’s contributions will provide multifaceted perspectives on creative industries.
• Robert Hardy: A seasoned film and TV director, film producer, and screenwriter, Robert Hardy’s profound contributions to cinema enrich the discussions on filmmaking.
• Juliet Ibrahim: Embodying versatility as an author, actor and film producer in Ghana and Nigeria, Juliet Ibrahim will bring a unique perspective to the event.
• Ama K. Abebrese: As an accomplished actress, TV presenter, and producer, Ama K. Abebrese’s presence adds depth to the discussions on the arts and entertainment.
• Socrate Safo: As a renowned filmmaker and the Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture, Socrate Safo’s expertise offers valuable insights on the interplay of film and culture.
• AJ Johnson: An actress, TV producer, life coach, and philanthropist, AJ Johnson brings passion for the arts and community impact to the forefront. Since her first trip to Ghana in 2019, she has had a strong passion for bridging the gap between the Diaspora and West Africa.

This event will be an enriching experience that celebrates the unity and interconnectedness of Global Africans. This event is free with limited tickets available on Eventbrite. Don’t miss this event that will strengthen connections, build for the future and celebrate the richness of our diversity in film and music.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-conversations-role-of-film-music-in-uniting-global-africans-tickets-680936067107

Story by Ivy Prosper

Ghana’s film industry has just been given the opportunity to have its films seen all over the world.  The National Film Authority announced a new partnership with Indie Rights, a Los Angeles-based distribution company.  Indie Rights has partnerships with some of the world’s leading digital platforms including Amazon, Google, Apple TV, and TubiTV. 

With partnerships like these, Ghanaian filmmakers stand an opportunity to share their stories with new audiences that otherwise may have never seen their work. Industry players have been working diligently for several years and are now seeing the fruits of their labour.  As international audiences are beginning to show more interest in African content, it is more important than ever to have these strategic partnerships that will foster the growth of the film industry in Ghana.

Up until recently, once a filmmaker completed a project, they often entered highly competitive film festivals to be seen in international markets.  Even with that, there were never any guarantees that their work would be seen or distributed after screenings at some of these festivals.  “Distribution remains a big gap on the African continent and without adequate distribution, filmmakers struggle to make the adequate return on investment for those who invest in their films,” said the CEO of the National Film Authority, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante. “It is for this reason that distribution remains one of the key [areas of] focus of the National Film Authority.  As the CEO of the NFA this is way at the top of my agenda, and it is the reason why we are constantly pursuing distribution opportunities for Ghanaian filmmakers and it is for this reason that we are happy to announce our partnership with Indie Rights Movies.”

This announcement comes after the launch of the Presidential Film Pitch series by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which took place on 28^th April at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.  The Presidential Film Pitch series is a program that helps to build the value chain of the film sector by creating a marketplace for filmmakers to present their projects and pitch to potential investors, sponsors, agents, and distributors.  

The National Film Authority is a government agency that was created to help regulate and streamline the ecosystem of the film industry in Ghana.  This week’s announcement is the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s film industry and provides hope for future filmmakers.

By: Ivy Prosper