March 2021 News Highlight

ByimageSALONE

Apr 5, 2021

The Turning Point of the Sierra Leone Film Industry

Background

The Sierra Leone Film Industry has been marred with hate, infights, and misunderstanding. We have had several bodies that have been set at different times to run the affairs of this golden industry but it would always end up with others standing at each other’s throats. From SL Film Guild to Sunvalley, Federation up to the formation of the Sierra Leone Film Council, have all ended up throwing one group against the other. In 2013, members of the Sierra Leone Film Guild and the several regional film unions across the country helped set up the Sierra Leone Film Council with the notion that whosoever leads must be a temporary leader that will facilitate the enactment of the film policy and set up the structures of the industry and then call for elections.

Michael Kargbo was then voted in at the ministry of Information and Communication conference hall during the inauguration ceremony of the council to stair the wheel. However, his leadership was met shortly by an opposing body which was led by Jimmy Bangura aka Jimmy B – (Federation) with a claim that they have been in the industry and must be the leading body to run the affairs of Sierra Leone Film Industry.

The stand-off took him about two to three years to conquer, until when the two bodies were merged under one leadership, with the two leaders accepting for Michael Kargbo to be the chairperson –One, while Pastor Aiah Momoh, a member of Federation serves as the co-chairperson – two. The merging of the two bodies followed by all the film unions pledging allegiance to the Sierra Leone Film Council.

A temporary body – Concern Movie Makers, a body that had an integration of filmmakers were volunteers who came together to collect data of filmmakers across the country and present a case to the then Ernest Bai Koroma government for his consideration towards the industry but their mission disappeared after they collected the data. It was the beginning of another divide.

Another misunderstanding then rose between the Sierra Leone Film Council and the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour Marketing Guild as to who to do what. This lasted for almost four years (2018 – 2021). Almost all the film-related meetings with members from these two bodies would hardly end in peace.

In 2020 another body of filmmakers – Vision 12:12, rode right across the country and presented a film policy to filmmakers which they wanted filmmakers consent, contribution, and support in order to meet stakeholders in the government to help push it through parliament. This movement met a very strong stand-off from strong filmmakers that patronized with the film council, but however, the process was a success. More bitterness grew during this process, personal attacks were made against some fellow filmmakers and stakeholders. The vision 12-12 movement eventually led to the formation of another body called, the Sollywood Film Guild from the western rural area. A body that was registered as a cooperate business owned by certain individuals even convinced their members, that it was for all filmmakers especially those in the provinces who were not considered by the film guild with all leaders being Freetownians.

The Unity

Not until recently when the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Film Council on 3rd of March 2021 called a consultative meeting on the draft national film policy. Some members of the film industry certainly were marred with anger and wanted to raise placards and make a scene at the venue but it all turned out to be the peacemaking and oneness show for the film industry.

After the traditional right of welcome address was observed by the Deputy Minister of Information – Madam Mamadie Gobeh Kamara, the Acting Director of Information – Emmanuel A. B. Turay read out the objectives of the gathering. In his statement, the one thing he was clear about was that if the filmmakers are not together, their strives as a ministry to push the film policy will not work.

He left the platform for Michael Kargbo, the chairperson of the Sierra Leone Film Council to make a statement. Michael vividly narrated a bit of history about the back-end pull and push that has been militating against the oneness of the industry. He said it was, however, for the same goal. He made a clarion call for peace to rain if all would want to see a way forward.

The chairperson of the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild, Mr. Daramy Kabba followed to the podium thereafter. He emphatically stated that the political struggle was the one key factor that did not help filmmakers in their endeavours. ‘’The industry has been divided, but that has to end today’’, he said. ‘’If it should stop, it must be here, right now.’’ Most of the part of his speech was the preaching of peace.

Even though the vote of thanks which was given by Hopeful Abu Musa was more of fanning the Film Council and a blade in the previous peaceful speeches by the two leaders but the atmosphere in the room had already changed to oneness. His statement was also followed by a very heartfelt plead by Mr. Emmanuel A. B. Turay who happens to be the champion in ensuring the film policy process is fast-tracked.

Rev. Fr. Victor Suma who happens to be the consultant working on the film policy presented the introductory of the policy and the scope of the national film policy. During his presentation, he emphasized peaceful coexistence being the pinnacle if filmmakers were to succeed to see the policy become an act.

Emmanuel A. B. Turay gave presentations on the institutional framework of the policy which included how the line ministries will operate with the film industry; and the board structure, management, and financing of the film industry.

During his sessions, a decision was made for both the film council and film guild to form a committee that will see that issue of the policy is facilitated by industry players. Ten people were selected with five from each team: Daramy Kabba, Martha Millicent Marcualay, Brima Sheriff, Barber Sesay, and Mohamed James all representing SL FILM GUILD…, MJ Sessy Kamara, Herienta Bawah, Michael Kargbo, Ibrahim Samuel Robinson, Hopeful Abu Musa, and Yusuf Nanah Charm represented SL FILM COUNCIL

One Of Sierra Leone’s Most Popular Actors Becomes The Brand Ambassador For ImageSALONE, While The Entity Changed Protocols and Lands a Tv Showtime With Pocket TV.

Kerry David Barry aka Ramadan has become the first brand ambassador for ImageSALONE. The actor and the founder of ImageSALONE – Fayia Foray in an undisclosed agreement, signed terms of reference for the talented and one of the most popular actors in Sierra Leone to serve as the brand ambassador.

This means his image will be on all their commercials, fliers, business cards, and banners, including their online platforms. This was followed by the decision to change protocols in terms of considering developing biographies for filmmakers.

The management decided to only make public the biographies of actors and filmmakers that have made it to the A-list & B-list of ImageSALONE classification; even though they will profile every filmmaker in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone filmmakers abroad.

It means if you are not in the A & B lists of their classification, you still have a page on their platform but it will be private, no one can access it except if they share the link with you. While all the biographies of the A & B –lists filmmakers will be public. This is to add value to what we do, not to disenfranchise or degrade anybody. ”We are dearly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. We encourage you to strive harder and be in the top two levels of their classification so that you can be profiled publicly.”

On the 25th of March 200021, a deal was seal with the pocket TV for ImageSALONE to be hosting a show that shall be aired on a traditional television channel and an online streaming platform where the show shall be aired for the online community.

The Sierra Leone Film Guild Host the First-Ever Film Summit

The Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild hosted the first-ever film summit with the theme: “Transformation and Innovation in the Sierra Leone Film Industry for Job Creation and Youth Empowerment. Are we geared for change?”

The introduction of the occasion was done by the former commissioner of the Human Rights Commission in Sierra Leone – Brima Abdulai Sheriff. After the prayers, the host – Salim Sahid Kamara and Mary Turay were introduced and given the podium. Being that both of them are well experienced in the field, they commenced with jokes and kept the ball rolling.

The summit brought together very key players in the Sierra Leone Film Industry to discuss issues that could enhance the growth of every Sierra Leonean Filmmaker. The major highlight at the summit was that the premium speakers from various governmental and nongovernmental entities spoke about the capacity for the film industry to employ a huge number of young people as the sector makes up a huge number of them.

Speeches were made by the chairman of the SL FILM Guild – Daramy Kabba, the chairman of the Sierra Leone Film Council – Michael Kargbo. The director of Local Content Agency– Fodeba Daboh, a representative from the Ministry of Youth Affairs Commissioner Ngolo Karter, the Dean of Faculty of Management and Sciences IPAM – Dr. Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh, the Managing Directorof Rokel Commercial Bank Mr. Walton Gilpin, outstanding Nigerian Director Frank Raja Arese… including from several others.

Daramy Kabba – the chairperson of the Sierra Leone Film Guild was the first speaker. In his statement, he spoke about how far the industry has come, the progress made so far, and the determination that is being gathered to push harder.

‘’I am here to talk to all of us. I am happy that we are part of history-making. This is a very successful mobilizing and participatory film development and empowerment discussion. We are very hopeful that this time we are going to get it right. We hope that the government, development partners, national and international agencies, radio stations, television stations will come on board to support what we are doing. We are hopeful that they will take us seriously. We’re hopeful that everybody will work with us to bring the change we so much desire in the film industry. Daramy referred to Fodeba Daboh, the director of local content act. ‘’In as much as you’re the only person representing the state or government in this conference, please take our message to them, because we were expecting all of them to be here’’ he said.

He continued that filmmaking is a default for all that were present at the conference. And he believes that whoever is passionate about what they do if they succeed, it is an industry success. He threw light on the things that have been impeding the growth of the industry all these years, praised God that they have overcome all of the said challenges. He made and reaffirmed a policy statement that they are now united and are working together for the betterment of the film industry.

He asked that all should delete the notion that the industry is divided. He reiterated that unity is going to exists than ever before, and they are working behind the scene to get everything correct to head where all want the industry to be. He thanked the Sierra Leone Film Council and the Sierra Leone Film Guild for working hard inorder to have a vibrant and sustainable film industry.

He said one of the successes is to have a summit as such and went further to say he was proud of the hard work of his team even though the industry is not where it supposed to be. But they’ll get there one day, someday, and very soon. He threw light on the neglect the Sierra Leone Film Industry has faced from the previous government to the present one. Most of his statement was concentrated on the employment opportunity the film industry could provide especially for young people. He ended his statement by calling on all filmmakers to do their best and get the best-finished material.

The second speaker was Michael Kargbo, the chairperson for the Sierra Leone Film Council. He expressed his disappointment about some previous Hollywood film projects with real Sierra Leonean stories that did not benefit Sierra Leonean filmmakers nor the country, he highlighted the movies; Amistad, Blood Diamonds, and the most recent one – Beast of No Nation. He illustrated how they made use of some of the locations in Sierra Leone, sound bites, and shot all of the said movies in different countries. He spoke about his trip to China in 2017 with Martha Millicent Macauley where they got an investor who came to Sierra Leone, only to pay a courtesy call to the government and return with a plan to get into mineral mining.

Instead of film financing, he said cooperate bodies should be able to sponsor movie projects as it is the opportunity Nigerian Movie makers are making use of to work on projects that get seen by Netflix and other streaming services. He said the council would ensure the provision of licenses for filmmakers, but that would not mean they may want to drive filmmakers away from film production. They would organize pieces of training and people will be graded according to their performances. Following that, payments for actors and any other professionals will be based on their grades and licenses. Every craft would be paid for, except if the individual decides to work on a pro-bona basis

The director of the Local Content Agency Fodeba Daboh who was the third speaker said the film industry sector belongs to the local content agency as they have to foster an environment that is suited for the production and the sale of local products and services.

Ngolo Katter, the representative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, spoke about the production films, the jobs that could be provided by the film industry, and highlighted some of the endeavors the ministry has been undertaking behind the scenes to contribute towards the film industry. He said that they have been collaborating with the Sierra Leone Film Guild in developing the curriculum for cinematography, photography, to be used at the Obasanjo Technology Institute in Newton, Waterloo Rural. ‘’We are working on ensuring the institution provides caters for filmmaking with state of the art film production infrastructure.’’ He further clarified that any nation that does not put a premium on the youth demography is bound to fail. He closed his statement by encouraging all filmmakers to yearn for education as it is the thing that would put them on a better footing to do well in the sector.

The heads of guilds were invited to speak. They all spoke about what they have done so far, how their roles in filmmaking look like, and the nature of how they want to see the industry. Martha Millicent Macauley who is the vice-chairperson for the Actors’ Sierra Leone spoke on behalf of the team. She said they hundred percent support the Sierra Leone Film Guild. She spoke vividly about their guild and threw light on the value of actors. She urged those that have not registered to register and left.

The major unions across the country were represented and the representatives made remarkable speeches. All spoke on behalf of their unions and gave very impressive accolades to the Film Guild and Film Council for such a wonderful film empowerment and development summit.

Umu Thoroka was the only woman that represented a union. She spoke on behalf of the Northern Movie Makers Alliance. She started by suggesting that the organizers – Film Guild, should think of making the filmmakers speak first on their agenda so that all the invited dignitaries would have the opportunity of listening to what the filmmakers have to say. She made this suggestion after most of the invited speakers left before it was time for the filmmakers to talk. That was the most applauded statement ever made. She also spoke about the efforts and push filmmakers in the north are making in terms of developing the film environment. Umu concluded by heaping praises on the leadership of the Northern Region.

Yusuf Nana Charm spoke on behalf of the Union of East-end Filmmakers’ Agencies. The key thing about his statement was the peace we have strived for all these years, the oneness that has been formed and what all filmmakers stand to achieve. He also threw emphasies on the enthusiasm filmmakers have gannered and said we would wait on no government but keep pushing until we achieve what we stand for.

Hopeful Abu Musa, the chairperson for the West-end Movie Makers Association took the podium and expressed the joy he never felt before. He announced that he has forgiven all those who hurt him and equally asked for forgiveness from those he has hurt; as they were all yearning for the same dream. He vividly spoke about the success he reached in 2011 when the movie he starred in as the lead character made fortunes and became the best seller movie of all times. He said he wished to see the same happen again. He encouraged all to put their hands on deck to see more growth and never to dwell on things that held us back. He swore upon a Christian prayer and an Islamic prayer that anybody that does not desire to see the growth of the Sierra Leone Film Industry, he vouched to register with the Sierra Leone Actors Guild and left the podium.

The Western Rural District Film Union chairperson, Ibrahim Robison Sesay rendered his anger for the invited dignitaries that deliberately failed to be available and listen to what filmmakers had to say. He said that if it were left to him, he would organize a thirty thousand man match from his district head quarter- Waterloo Rural to the statehouse. Maybe that could enhance filmmakers a position to be listened to by the Government of Sierra Leone. ‘’For far too long these people have not been taking us seriously, I am not a politician,’’ he said. He continued that, it seems the time has reached for filmmakers to take their matters into their own hands. He ended his statement.

Others that made statements at the summit were, the managing director of the Rokel Commercial Bank, Duramany Lakoh – Director of AYV, the Nigerian Movie Director – Frank Rajah Arase.

As the occasion was divided into three sections, the last part of it was designed for presentations. Dr. Ezikiel Duramani Lakoh delivered on strategic planning. The key part of his session covered how one could design their career to make money out of it.

Brima Abdulai Sheriff who is the lead consultant for the development of the Strategic Development Plan for the film industry gave a presentation of the importance of the plan, what it stands for and what filmmakers stand to gain at the end of the day. That was followed by group discussions, presentations, and a vote of thanks thereafter, by Sia Confort Nyukeh.