The second edition of the Africa Cinema Summit (ACS) kicked off today at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra, organized by Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA). Running from October 7 to October 10, this year’s summit is centered around the theme “Does Cinema Matter in African Societies?” The event will feature prominent British actor Idris Elba as the main speaker, with King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse, serving as the Guest of Honour on October 8.
The summit attracts attendees from various African nations, including Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Angola, alongside representatives from the African diaspora and investment organizations like Afreximbank and IFC. At the launch in June, NFA CEO Juliet Asante highlighted the untapped potential of Africa’s cinematic landscape. The summit aims to promote collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth within the African film industry.
The presence of Idris Elba at the summit shows his dedication to African cinema. He used the platform to highlight the importance of African stories. Elba believes a supportive framework is necessary to help filmmakers grow and gain visibility.
Elba emphasized the rich heritage of African cinema, especially in French-speaking regions. He pointed out that while Africa has a young population, it has only about 1,700 cinemas, far fewer than in the U.S. and China. He called for better infrastructure and distribution to connect filmmakers with local and international audiences.
Elba stressed that success in African cinema starts with local support. He insisted that audiences need to fill cinemas before seeking international recognition.
He encourages aspiring filmmakers to take charge of their creative paths. Elba shared that the barriers to filmmaking are lower today. While he acknowledges the challenges, he envisions a thriving African film industry that resonates with local audiences and attracts global attention.