By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The first ever first Film Festival to be held in Sierra Leone has ended at Bamoi Hotel in Freetown. The event which commenced on Thursday 15th ended Sunday. Bana Media hosted the festival that was aimed at showcasing Sierra Leonean movies by screening them and identifying areas they could improve on.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bana Media, Joseph Bankole, they have come to realise the enormous energy of the African continent and they wish to collaborate within the diaspora community and to harness that energy through the telling of their own authentic stories that reflect the continent’s experiences. He said one central way to tell the stories of Africa is through film- making and showcasing such films and with the platform that provides answers to the film makers.
He noted that, this is the first time a film festival is being held in Freetown, hence the name ‘Freetong film festival’, which mentioned the connection of the Bana partners who were either born in Freetown or closely connected to Sierra Leone.
The CEO of Bana Media stated that the film festival can build on and help expand a network for fruitful partnerships and collaboration. He also said that they want to leverage advanced technology and expertise to realize high quality films that would be of benefit of Sierra Leone.
Director of Communications and Partner of Bana Media, Adeyemi Coker highlighted said the reason they came together was to focus more on how they will create a platform where Sierra Leonean, West African and more especially ECOWAS region film makers will have good access to distribution. He reiterated that, the film festival is not just about showing films, but to have the opportunity to build the network during the festival.
“Film making is all about collaborative process and that is why we are here in Sierra Leone,” he said.
Another partner of Bana media, Ngadi Kamara expressed excitement to be part of the history making in the film industry in the country. She was hopeful that each participant will get an experience that will put Sierra Leone film making on the international stage.
She pointed out that it has been a wonderful collaborative effort in terms of being with the right minds with the interest of the country at heart. She said that her passion is to see the elevation and reinstatement of the arts industry in Sierra Leone.
The quality control/Film Liaison, Adisa Septuri said he was glad to be part of Bana media group. He noted that, he will infuse whatever energy he can into uplifting the film industry in Sierra Leone.
He discouraged people not to always be boastful of Nigerian and Ghana movies, but they should be proud of Sierra Leonean movies done by Sierra Leoneans.
Mohamed James Sessy Kamara, Secretary General of Sierra Leone Film Council reiterated that, a film festival is what they have been yearning for over the years. He said, the organizers of the festival have taken a motivating step in rebranding the film industry in the country.
He noted that, a good number of film makers have never opportune to witness a film festival, but he said they have been within the film industry for over a decade. He went on to say that, the festival will be a motivation and a platform that will give hope to film makers for them to realize that film making is not a career to make as an option.
He said, the festival will enhance the confidence of young film makers of this country.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (19/12/22)
