At the recent Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF) held in Lagos this September, Filmhouse Group emerged as a pivotal force in advancing the continent’s cinematic ambitions. The event, spanning three days from September 16 to 18, convened a diverse assembly of filmmakers, investors, distributors, and cultural influencers to explore innovative solutions for financing, distributing, and sustaining African film industries aimed at serving a population of 1.4 billion.
This year’s conference, themed “Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 Billion Industry for 1.4 Billion People”, was distinguished by a strategic alliance with Filmhouse Group, the foremost cinema and entertainment enterprise in West Africa. This partnership highlighted the increasing importance of robust investment frameworks and transnational collaborations as essential drivers for the future of African storytelling.
Prior to the main sessions, Filmhouse Group co-hosted a pre-event cocktail on September 15 alongside the British Council. This gathering fostered early dialogue among creatives, financiers, and cultural stakeholders, focusing on harmonizing artistic innovation with financial backing.
Kene Okwuosa, CEO of Filmhouse Group, emphasized the partnership’s role in fortifying the industry’s economic base. He remarked, “Our collaboration with the Africa Film Finance Forum is a deliberate move to unlock new funding channels, enhance distribution networks, and encourage collaborative ventures that will benefit filmmakers and audiences continent-wide.”
FilmOne Entertainment, the group’s production and distribution division, also made a significant impact. Ladun Awobokun, its Chief Content Officer, participated in a panel discussion titled “From Vision to Viability: What Financiers Need, What Filmmakers Must Deliver,” which delved into the practical challenges of aligning creative goals with commercial viability.
Awobokun highlighted the imperative of crafting African narratives with global appeal: “Our mission is to elevate African storytelling and open doors for our filmmakers on the international stage. Partnering with the British Council at AFFF provides a vital platform to connect local talent with investors and industry leaders, fostering a dynamic Pan-African film economy.”
Mary Ephraim-Egbas, the forum’s organizer, underscored the critical need for frameworks that align Africa’s rich cultural heritage with substantial financial investment. She stated, “African stories have always held profound significance, yet the mechanisms to fully capitalize on their value have been lacking. At AFFF, we are intentionally bridging creativity with capital and narrative with strategic planning.”
The forum’s conversations spanned innovative funding approaches, effective distribution models, and cross-border partnerships, shedding light on both the promising prospects and the challenges confronting African cinema today. Industry experts view Filmhouse Group’s active participation as a sign of established stakeholders committing to collective progress rather than isolated achievements.
As Africa asserts itself on the global film stage, the Africa Film Finance Forum has evolved beyond an annual gathering into a crucial incubator for the alliances and policies that will shape the continent’s ability to convert its cultural wealth into a thriving, sustainable, and internationally competitive film industry-one that truly reflects the dreams and identities of its people.
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