The Committee which comprises of the various movie stakeholders in the Ghana Film Industry (GAG, GAFTA, NAFTI, FDGG, FICAG, FIPAG, NAFTI, Women in Film, Film Distributors and Marketers and ARSOG) have submitted a drafted report on the Development and Classification of Film Act (Act 935).
The Film Act that was passed by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana after decades of advocacy to repeal and replace the Cinematography Act, 1961 (Act 76), had to be reviewed by a dialogue committee set up by the coalition of stakeholders in the Ghana Film Industry to consider omissions and additions to make the Legislative Instrument (LI) to be fully functional when it is laid before parliament for final approval.
The committee paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Catherine Afeku to submit the final report on Friday, August 3 after months of soliciting views from other film stakeholders across the country.
Submitting the report to the Minister in her office, the leader of the committee, George Bosompim suggested to the sector Minister for a temporary office for the group to begin its sensitization programme across the country to enable partners in the film industry equip themselves and be abreast with the new changes when parliament finally approves the Development and Classification of Film Act (Act 935) to be fully operationalized.
According to him, the detail report addresses all concerns of the movie industry, providing a more relevant regulatory mechanism for nurturing and regulating the film industry to contribute more significantly to the national socio-economic growth and development process.
The Stakeholders in the Film industry are optimistic that the Legislative Instrument (LI) when laid before parliament will be approved when the House reconvenes.
Honourable Catherine Afeku after receiving the report, assured the committee she will fast track to get Act fully operationalized in earnest.
According to the Minister, when an Authority is established as contained in Development and Classification of Film Law (Act 935), the huge potential in Filmmaking which will lead to job creation and make Ghana a film location and thereby enhancing tourism will be unearthed.
“The main objectives of the Authority are to evolve a dynamic, economically self-sustaining and culturally conscious film industry in the country in the national interest, promote the creation of a conducive environment for the local production, distribution, exhibition and marketing of films and encourage the use of films to project the identity and image of the Republic and its people within and outside the country.
So if we are able to make our case before Cabinet, it then goes to Parliament and there too, we have to make a strong case before the House for an L.I which will help support the industry,”
The Committee which comprises leaders of the various film value chain groups began their work since June 7, 2018 by meeting stakeholders and industry players over the Development and Classification of Film Law (Act 935).
The committee is made up of a member each from Ghana Actors’ Guild (GAG), Distributors & Marketers Association of Ghana, Women in Film and Television (WIFT), Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Film & Television Crew Association of Ghana (FICAG), Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG), Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) and National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and representative from the Ministry of Toursim, Arts and Culture.
It has been almost two year since the Development and Classification of Bill became law in Ghana.
When finally approved, the Development and Classification of Film Act (Act 935), will establish by this Act a body corporate with perpetual succession to be known as the National Film Authority to pursue the following objectives:
- evolve a dynamic, economically self-sustaining and culturally conscious film industry in the country in the national interest;
- promote the creation of a conducive environment for the local production, distribution, exhibition and marketing of films;
- encourage the use of films to project the identity and image of the Republic and its people within and outside the country;
- promote and facilitate co-production between local and foreign producers;and
- regulate foreign participation in the Ghanaian film industry to ensure its benefit to Ghanaian film practitioner.
The committee believe the inauguration of the Governing Board of the National Film Authority will constitute a first major positive step in the operationalization of the Development and Classification of Film law. The Ghana film industry has endure inaction from our duty bearers for too long and we are demanding action now as a matter of right because this is what the law, as enacted, says and any further delay could be interpreted as an infraction on the rights of players in the Ghana film industry as enshrined in the Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016.
