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Uniting Voices: Charting a Path to AAFMA 2025 and Africa's Cinematic Future
Leaders in the African film industry, movie luminaries from the USA, and UNESCO representatives convened with Ethio Arkwood Entertainment Inc. in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5-6 July, 2024, to discuss the vision and roadmap for the Arkwood Africa Film Market and Awards (AAFMA).
Scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, the inaugural AAFMA aims to be a significant milestone for African filmmakers and their rich storytelling traditions. The consultative meetings focused on fostering collaboration among African film industry leaders and international stakeholders. This regional gathering conceptualized a film market and awards event reflecting the ambition, cultural diversity, sustainability, and creative and economic potential of African filmmakers. Participants shared insights and experiences, identifying opportunities and challenges, and developing an actionable plan for AAFMA 2025.
AAFMA symbolizes our collective ambition to elevate African film and provide a platform for our filmmakers to excel. As we visualize the Africa Film Market and Awards, we set the stage for a future where Africa’s creativity is celebrated globally. This will honor our filmmakers' achievements and facilitate crucial dialogues and partnerships that will drive the industry forward.
The discussions continued into a second-day conference themed "Collaborative Vision for the Future of African Cinema," involving a broader range of stakeholders, including local filmmakers, city government officials, and representatives from the African Union and UNESCO. Perspectives from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon, France, and the USA enriched the discussions. Key topics included challenges and opportunities in the African film sector, financing for investors, emerging markets, opportunities in AI and the digital economy, and growth in education and capacity-building opportunities. Prospects in international co-productions, expanding digital streaming opportunities, and fostering domestic markets were also discussed.
The dialogues were a reflection on the findings of UNESCO’s research and mapping of the African film and audiovisual industry in 2021, The African Film Industry: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth, which argues that the potential in this sector is largely untapped in Africa. The report, which was conducted in the context of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression, hoped to inspire filmmakers of all countries in the continent to express themselves and develop viable and competitive cultural and creative industries.
Despite the optimism and enthusiasm, participants acknowledged challenges in the African film industry. Limited funding and investment opportunities, barriers in distribution, weak policy frameworks, and technological challenges including digital infrastructure limitations were highlighted. AAFMA aims to leverage opportunities and address these challenges, making a significant contribution to African filmmakers on the global stage.
UNESCO’s commitment to a dynamic creative economy and support in the growth of the film sector aligns with The Arkwood Africa Film Market and Awards, which promises to be a transformative event for African cinema. AAFMA aims to celebrate and elevate African filmmakers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and stories to a wider audience. As preparations continue, the African film industry looks forward to a future where its rich cultural heritage and creative potential are recognized and celebrated globally.
