Algiers – Filmmakers and producers from Algeria and various African countries gathered on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Algiers as part of the CANEX Weekend 2024 event. During a conference, they emphasized the importance of establishing joint mechanisms to finance film and audiovisual productions across Africa and building a distribution network to promote these works.
The conference, titled “From Production to Distribution: Evolving Resources for African Cinema and Television,” featured participants from Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and Ghana, who underscored that financing is the main driver for the development of the sector. In addition to funding, the speakers highlighted the need to create distribution networks to market and showcase African productions and encourage new generations to explore African storytelling through cinema.
Sylvester Monye, a Nigerian film expert, spoke about the challenges of financing cinema in Africa, urging the participants to develop new strategies to promote joint funding and simplify banking processes to facilitate co-productions between African countries. “Such regional events, which focus on cultural investment, are essential to advancing the African film industry,” Monye said.
Monye also noted that CANEX Weekend 2024, hosted in Algeria, presents a great opportunity to foster cooperation among African nations and celebrate the rich diversity of cultures, arts, and technical talents across the continent. He further discussed Nigeria’s success in the film and television industry, describing it as a pioneering model, and highlighted the role of digitalization and artificial intelligence in enabling African filmmakers to produce high-quality content and secure financing.
The Nigerian expert stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in developing the industry, suggesting tax incentives to boost cinematic production. “This would revitalize African cinema and ensure its presence at major global film festivals,” he added.
Meanwhile, Algerian director Belkacem Hadjadj emphasized that film and television production should act as a driving force for development across Africa. “As we create new cinematic works, we need to establish a dynamic market and a continental distribution network,” Hadjadj said. He urged African filmmakers to focus on local storytelling, presenting films that reflect oral traditions and African heritage, rather than prioritizing European audiences and markets. “Our first goal should be to engage African audiences by developing an internal distribution network,” he added.
George Kachara, a producer from Kenya, echoed these sentiments, saying, “It’s time for Africa to invest in cinema and stimulate audiovisual production by promoting collaborative funding.” He emphasized the critical role of distribution networks across African countries, calling them a vital component in the production process.
Boris Kodjoe, a Ghanaian actor based in Germany, shared his insights on the promising growth of the creative industries in Africa, which are contributing significantly to the global market for creative goods. Meanwhile, Amadou Siki, a television producer from Senegal currently living in the United States, highlighted that funding remains the biggest obstacle preventing African cinema from gaining global recognition. He emphasized the strategic importance of cinema for Africa, particularly in light of global changes, and stressed the need for better financial support and training for professionals to keep pace with technological advancements.
The CANEX Weekend 2024 event will conclude later on Saturday after four days of intensive activities. The event, which brought together culture ministers and officials from 20 countries across Africa and the Caribbean, provided a platform to discuss the future of African cinema and explore opportunities for collaboration.
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Author: nor-eleslam
African Cinema, CANEX Weekend 2024, Film Financing, Distribution Networks, Cultural Cooperation
