President of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF), Juliet Asante, has urged Ghanaian filmmakers to embrace the mindset shifts necessary for meaningful transformation in the industry.
Speaking at the festival’s tenth edition in Accra, Madam Asante highlighted what she described as one of the biggest challenges holding back the growth of Ghana’s film sector: resistance to change.
“One of the major issues we face is that we say we want change, but we do not want to change. We want things to be different, but when it comes to actually shifting our mindset, our structures, or our approach, there is resistance. And that makes it very difficult to move forward as an industry,” she said.
According to her, BSIFF has, over the years, built connections with distributors, funders, and international partners, opening new markets for Ghanaian films. She also revealed that the festival is finalizing a partnership with Ivory Coast that will see selected Ghanaian films premiered there, describing it as a golden opportunity for local filmmakers.
“We are in the process of building a partnership with Ivory Coast to have some Ghanaian films premiered there. These initiatives are designed to expand the reach of Ghanaian cinema. These are golden opportunities, yet many of our filmmakers are absent. If you do not show up where distributors, funders, and partners are, how can you expect your work to travel?” she remarked.
Madam Asante expressed disappointment that many filmmakers are absent from BSIFF and other industry events, stressing that their lack of engagement undermines such efforts.
“For us, funding remains a challenge, but mindset and lack of engagement are equally significant barriers holding the industry back. We do a lot of advocacy behind the scenes, but it will mean little if our own filmmakers are not part of the process,” she emphasized.
She urged that calls for transformation must go beyond rhetoric and translate into practical action. According to her, BSIFF exists to serve the industry by creating spaces for knowledge sharing, networking, and access to markets, but these benefits can only be realized if filmmakers participate fully.
This year’s festival, held under the theme The Relevance of Film in Society, highlighted cinema not only as a source of entertainment but also as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and social change.
Marking its tenth anniversary, Juliet Asante reiterated her belief that Ghanaian filmmakers must embrace change, seize available opportunities, and take ownership of the platforms designed for their growth.
“The festival exists for the industry, but it cannot work without the industry. If we all want change, then we must all be ready to change,” she concluded.
Source: Irene Adubea Aning
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