Accra, April 27, GNA - The Vice President of the African Federation of Film Critics (AFFC), Mr Francis Ameyibor on Monday called for collaboration among stakeholders in the film industry and media practitioners for the revitalization of the Ghanaian movie industry. "The role of media practitioners especially film critics is crucial to revamp the Ghanaian film industry, which tumble over two decades ago and is still struggling to reclaim its meaningful role in national development," Mr Ameyibor stated in Accra.

The AFFC Vice President said this during separate meetings with the Director of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Mr Martin Loh and the Head of Co-operation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, Mr Arnaud Dornor.

The meeting was to create an avenue for the three institutions, AFFC, NAFTI and the French Embassy in Accra to discuss the possibilities of injecting dynamism into the film industry for it to attract professional-actors to enhance the quality of films to meet global standards.

Mr Ameyibor urged NAFTI and School of Performing Arts to create an avenue for networking with media training institutions, especially the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and School of Communications to serve as a platform for cooperation among stakeholders.

He also advised operators in the film industry, to liaise with other relevant agencies - public relation officers, professional advertisers, and marketing agencies for the promotion and sale of films. Mr Ameyibor said Ghanaian films could be great sources of foreign exchange, if producers and actors adhere to originality, creativity, and the engagement of other professionals in the production, to expose historical and tourist sites in the country.

The AFFC Vice President expressed concern about the failure of Ghanaian films to make the mark at the just-ended 21st Pan African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso.

"It was unfortunate that Ghanaian films were absent during a roll-call of best films on the African continent for acknowledgment," Mr Ameyibor stated and called on the French Embassy to support Ghanaian filmmakers to meet the FESPACO criteria for 2011 festival. He said the Federation of African Film Critics is committed to fostering the art of filmmaking, with the intent of providing extensive training in film critiquing and offer the necessary advice to film writers, actors, directors and producers. "For Ghana to have a real presence in international cinema there must be an institution that supports professional cinematic education and career development. We are committed to providing that support in the country'," Mr Ameyibor added.

Mr Ameyibor commended the French Embassy in Accra for its contribution and support towards the development of entertainment and culture in the country.

Mr Loh said the film industry has proved to be a very powerful avenue through which culture could be sold to the outside world, stressing that NAFTI's facilities and professionals are available for the development of the Ghanaian industry. He said: "Africa's future depended on the harnessing and utilisation of its resources for social mobilisation, promotion of Africa's cultural values and economic integration, a feat that can be achieved through the movie industry. Mr Loh, therefore, reiterated a call for African regional groupings such as the African Union and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), ECOWAS and other international development partners to support the film and television institutions with resources for they held the key to development.

Mr Dornor urged Ghanaian filmmakers to explore opportunities for accessing funds through the African Film Development Fund (AEDF). He said the 10-million Euro fund is captured under the new French policy for the support of African Cinematography Industry. Mr Dornor said the Fund would be managed by an international committee to be set up next year, stressing that about 60 per cent of the fund would be used for "Greatest Film Projects" while about 40 per cent would be used to support debuting films and poor producers. 27 April 09