The government of Sierra Leone has vowed to push on with the enactment of the Sierra Leone Film Policy and this came as a result of the social media advocacy and activism put forward by filmmakers across the country.
How Did It Happen and Why?
Within the first and seconds of February 2022, six filmmakers died and three amongst them were the most popular with the Late Martha Millicent Macaulay who was the acting actors’ guild president was the leading figure followed by Elija Musa Deen. It was a mournful moment for the Sierra Leone Film Industry.
The infight amongst filmmakers has been the excuse of government officials since 2013 to this day and it was very eminent. On the 8th of March 2022, Late Martha Millicent Macauley was buried, and a meeting was held. That meeting was led by Daramy A. Kabba and it included filmmakers from all the regions of Sierra Leone, big and small production houses, non-members, and members of the film guild. The goal of activism for the film policy was born and the following day.
The power willed by Filmmakers and social media As a Tool for Change
Clearly, filmmakers are one of the most powerful facets of people in any country across the world. They have the power to change the perspectives of people and brand a country and change government through their pictures and stories. This is what Sierra Leone Filmmakers have just done. On the 9th of March 2022, filmmakers took to social media with the campaign for the Sierra Leone Film Policy to be enacted. One could tell the waves it took when you imagine the huge numbers of filmmakers in Sierra Leone. It was the right timing and mindset.
Days later, the heads of Sierra Leone Film Council and Film Guild were summoned to a meeting by the ministry of information led by the minister – Mohamed Rahman Swaray. According to our sources, during the meeting, the government vowed to allocate funds to ensure the enactment of the policy before the end of our Independence Day, 27th April 2022.
The Press Release
”UPDATES FROM THE MEETING WITH THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION.
MIC Conference Center, Freetown | 14th March 2022
ON THE FILM POLICY
This is to inform the general Film Family that following concerns from the media about the film policy, His Excellency the President, Rtd Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Ministry of Information and Communications have shown a strong commitment to the policy process and have assured the Film Family that government will do everything possible to see that the Sierra Leone Film Policy is approved by Cabinet on or before the 27th April 2022, and it will be officially launched by His Excellency the President before its popularization.
In view of this, a proposed date has been agreed on for a National Consultative Meeting. Film Industry Stakeholders will be invited from across the country to be part of the process which will be followed by a Validation Meeting afterward. The engagement is proposed to be held on Thursday, 24th March 2022. The venue will be communicated soonest and it is expected to host ninety (90) Film Stakeholders from across the country.
Minister Mohamed Rado Swarray (Minister of Information and Communication) in his address, expressed appreciation for the constructive engagements of the film industry in the campaign for the Film Policy and emphasized that the consultative engagement should have strong regional representations and should be hosted in Freetown.
Moreover, the minister made a commitment that the Film Policy will be pushed to a Bill that will be presented to Parliament in the shortest possible time and this will give the industry an opportunity to run its own commission in the future just like the IMC and other regulatory commissions.
ON THE FILM FESTIVAL
During an engagement between members of the SLFC and SLFG, extensive discussions were held about the Film Festival. The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Film Guild expressed his dissatisfaction about the manner he has been treated by both the Entertainment Board and the Sierra Leone Film Council on the ongoing film festival, making it clear in the meeting that he was not informed.
However, after a series of productive deliberations amongst members, the Co-Chair One of SLFC, Michael Ibrahim Kargbo, openly apologized to the SLFG Chairman, Daramy. A. Kabba for a post/memo that was shared, especially with regards to certain statements made in the post or memo.
For the sake of unity and progress and with the positive message from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the SLFC and SLFG have agreed to work cooperatively for the success of the one-day planned film festival and to use the opportunity to cement many other opportunities awaiting the industry.
SLFG and SLFC continue to express its appreciation to its community and to the government for the purposeful action to this point. Both SLFG and SLGC will be coming out with further communications leading to review of the film Policy and the Film Festival. We therefore crave/implore every filmmaker or film professional to remain constructive and focus on the felt needs of the Film Community.
We thank you all.
SLFG & SLFC”
What Happened behind the Scenes Before the Press Release?
From what we gathered, there was a slight misunderstanding between Michael I. Kargbo and Daramy A. Kabba, the film council co-chair 1 and the chairperson of film guild, respectively. The onus to write the press release was given to Daramy. He decided to express his dissatisfaction about the way he is being treated my film council and the entertainment.
Michael on the other asked that the last paragraph in which Daramy expressed himself should not be included. There was a stand-off and that was why the press release was not done immediately after the meeting with the minister. Before anyone could intervene, the press release was out as Daramy A. Kabba wanted it.
From what this medium learnt, both parties are positively ambitious to see that what the government promised through the minister is achieved. And Michael and Daramy can be at their best when the two are together on a table without their executives. A common ground has been found between the two as they have learnt from each other.
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