I would like to say thanks to every Sierra Leonean filmmaker that pushed forward for the Sierra Leone Film Policy to reach the stage it is today. From the team of people that led Concerned Movie Makers, Vision 12:12, Vision by Force, and every other filmmaker. I would like to go further by sending special thanks to Daramy A. Kabba and Michael Ibrahim Kargbo, the chairpersons of the Film Guild and Film Council for their resilience and for bearing the bulk of the pressure, even though their terms of office are already overdue.
It all started with the Sierra Leone Film Foundation, Sunvalley, Sollywood, to Film Federation and the Film Guild. The tussle between Film Federation and the Sierra Leone Film Guild led to the formulation of the Sierra Leone Film Council. And the tussle between Film Council and Film Federation led to the merge of leadership for us to have Co-chair 1 and Co-chair 2 of the Sierra Leone Film Council and a total scrap of Film Federation. Later, a new tussle for control opened between Film Council and Film Guild. As it is, it is hanging because every filmmaker is waiting to see the outcome of the film policy.
This shows the journey filmmakers have taken so far to reach this stage and all these shall not be omitted from the history books of the Sierra Leone Film Industry.
As we strive, we must not forget our end goal and objectives, which are revenue generation from the craft thereby enhancing quality production and the protection of local filmmakers. We are halfway through getting the policy done but that doesn’t guarantee the goal and objectives highlighted above if we fail to go to work. There was a time when filmmakers concentrated on the craft, and we almost brought in the international attention we had wanted. But we forgot that too soon and threw ourselves into a power struggle and tussle for control. The tussle was hundred percent caused by the leaders of the Sierra Leone Film Guild and the Sierra Leone Film Council because they have failed several times to educate the lay filmmakers on what exactly were their roles, and responsibilities and how they inter-operated. When in leadership, always set good precedence and make good policies. Because if you don’t, karma will follow you and you will become a victim of the bad precedence and policies you set. This always happens.
We trust the process. I see comments about how people were selected for the film policy consultative meeting that took place on the 24th of August 2022 at the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau Conference Hall, Ferry Junction.
Let Me Bring Your Attention to this!
We must not forget that as we go halfway through the validation of the Sierra Leone Film Policy, we are yet to have a name for our darling film industry. We should have a name that resonates with us. We should have a name that we all can easily refer to. What is the name of the Sierra Leone Film Industry? This question goes to Michael Kargbo and Daramy A. Kabba.
Yes! we are going to have a policy, but it must not be so rigid to an extent of bringing creativity to a standstill. There must be room for young talents to grow else we kill the very industry that we build with our sweat and blood. What do I mean? I know we will be having license and grade various sets of filmmakers, but our strategies, procedures and regulations must not stunt the growth of young talent. Even Bollywood and Hollywood still have independent filmmakers and student filmmakers who are first-timers who hit the billboard at their first shot into the industry.
Also, imageSALONE as a news platform, we observe that filmmakers are no longer selling films as they used to be. Therefore, we encourage more filmmakers to release their films so that we can have more local films in the market. That is the major way we can be able to make our people get used to our content and shift their attention from the foreign films we always complain about. People can only watch our films if we release them to the public.
Concluding Comment
My request is directly going to Michael Kargbo and Mohamed J. Sesay, Co-chair-1 and the Secretary of the Sierra Leone Film Council that they should refrain from sending ordinary WhatsApp and Facebook messages that bear no official stamp and signature as press releases. Why should a national institution that represents a whole sector of creative professionals send a press release or update without an official stamp or signature?
Secondly, it is high time the Sierra Leone Film Council got a website and professional emails. It is becoming a concern for some of us who know too well that we live in the world of technology. The Film Council has no website, nor vibrant official social media accounts. You don’t expect me to keep asking for the phone numbers of individuals just to pass on messages to Film Council or contact them. It is something I just need to do with the click of a button from my sofa, either on my laptop or phone. My company, Creative Pictures Ltd, the umbrella body of imageSALONE can support this direction just in case Film Council needs it. Till then, let’s keep the peace but go to work and make better films.