Calling for ideas to support a UK Ghanaian Film Festival

As the name implies Black History Month (BHM) has always been concerned with the presentation and remembrance of events relevant to the history of Black communities. All founders and organisers of these events have mostly had one purpose in mind, that being the collective establishment of roots, that serve to encourage a healthy future for the descendants of this community.

This natural and hopeful consequence is the major force behind the programme for this film festival. Its focus on Ghanaian films coincides with celebrations of Ghana Independence for 50 years, an event that marks the beginning of Pan African Freedom.

Since independence, Ghana has had its highs and lows; today it is still viewed as a nation in much need of development. Recent debt relief promises and conditionalities have advanced and hindered progress, but for the most part Ghanaians are optimistic about their future.

For the black diaspora on UK shores however, unless you want to know of developments in Ghana or Africa for that matter, you have to make it your business. For those who naturally rely upon the naturally available media such as news, press, radio etc; such information doesn’t always display the optimism of Africans.

I believe that Ghana is at a point where emphasis on the reinforcement of identity is stimulating investment in Ghanaian culture and arts. As developments in this area rapidly develop within Ghana, links need to be establised, that connects this progression to an audience here in London.

It is with these points in mind that support is needed for a festival during the BHM celebrations, that aims to showcase films that addresses the following:

Filmic presentation that deliver optimism within Ghanaian culture;

Bring awareness of those that are working towards development in Ghana as well as those who aren’t;

Attract attention to possible solutions that may aid the development of Ghana.

The festival, a totally free event, would aim to be a focus for young Ghanaians, but will also aspire to attract a much wider audience than that. So now I call for any suggestions of films that may be suited to any of the categories listed below.


Categories of film submissions

Looking back to look forward/Reconnecting established roots:
Films in this category will adopt a Sankofa (Return and get it) approach. The aim would be to attract a major feature that reflects a message of identity revival and is also representative of the classic age of Ghanaian filmmaking.

Popular Entertainment:
This is intended to be an open category

The realm of the physical and spiritual:
Looking into how the occult forces impinge on the visible world, has been popular entertainment for some time now, it deserves a category of its own.

A trans-national affair:
The difference in the quality of films with differing production base (e.g. Ghana versus the UK, Germany or US) has been an issue. This is intended to be a category that looks at whether the gap is still evident or closing. It will also extend to films whose plotlines are set in Ghana and a developed nation.

Showcasing talent:
A chance for film students from Ghana and the UK, to present their high quality productions.

Issues of development:
This category is for showcasing films that chart the development of Ghana, both past and present.

The bigger picture:
This is the category suited to films that address possible solutions towards improving African infrastructure. Success stories will be appropriate here.

Looking forward to receiving these suggestions, keep posted for news on this event.