Mr Martin Loh, Director of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), on Monday, called on the private sector to invest in the production of indigenous films, to facilitate national efforts to capture the expansive African market.

"The proposed Film Fund cannot sincerely take care of the whole financial requirement of the film industry", he said, adding that, the so-called Nigerian films were only filling a gap.

Mr. Loh was speaking at the official launch of the 14 Film and Television Festival of the Institute in Accra. The festival initiated by students of the Diploma and Degree awarding school in 1983, is aimed at unearthing the innovative skills of undergraduates.

Students also use the occasion for fund-raising activities to support programmes of the school, as well as public screening of film productions.

As part of the four-day celebration, the French Embassy would present training equipment to the Institute and unveil a Centre named after Jean Rouch, a renowned French producer.

Mr Loh articulated public concerns about the negative influence of certain foreign films on society, and therefore, stressed the need for more local productions to meet the aspirations of the people. He expressed dissatisfaction at the inability of graduates of the school to explore their creativity to the fullest.

The NAFTI Director gave an overview of the laudable achievements of previous festivals, and said it was the expectation of management to encourage students to accept the challenge to organise the 15th edition of the festival and subsequent ones.

Mr Ebenezer Ohemeng, President of the Student Representative Council said the festival would offer the audience the opportunity to assess the work of students, and give them the needed feedback to improve upon subsequent productions.

The festival attracted a number of people including Professor George Hagan, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, President of the Ghana Journalists Association.