The Sierra Leone Film Industry Leaders Over The Years

ByFayia Foray

Feb 7, 2022

The Sierra Leone Film Industry Leaders Over The Years

Disclaimer: Whoever thinks you know much about these people and something is not right, leave a comment.

Introduction

Since 2002, the notable bodies that have led the Sierra Leone Film Industry have been SunVally, the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild, Film Federation, the Sierra Leone Film Council and the Regional Film Union bodies like the NORMMAL ( Northern Movie Makers’ Alliance), Southern Film Federation, North Western Film Unions, Eastern Province Film Union and no regional body for the Western Area but zonal bodies in the urban district of Freetown and a district body in the Western Rural District.

We have had good times when the general membership of the film industry across the country seemed to see the possibility seeing a formidable industry but get disappointed at the end of the day. The individuals mention here have been the key players formulating, overseeing and twisting the matters of the Sierra Leone Film Industry. They have been at the centre of the good, bad and ugly of it all.

Arthur Pratt

This is Arthur Pratt. He is arguably one Sierra Leones finest filmmakers in the 21st century. He is a pastor, cofounder of the Freetown Media center, a film Director and Producer. He has done much with “WeOwnTV”’ and the most recent and notable of his achievements was with the documentary “Survivor”. His personal achievement in filmmaking has taken him far and wide.

However, his involvement into the Sierra Leone Film Industry leadership over the years did not seem to have brought him the right honor as compared to his achievements. Some filmmakers consider him one of those that have not supported the growth of the film industry. From observation, he seemed to have chased the wind because the leadership roles he so wanted and served in some did not attained any that gained him the accolade or the will power over the film industry. He was involved in the formation of all the structures since 2002 to date; starting with SunValley, Film Federation, the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild to the most recent of them all – the Sierra Leone Film Council.

Past. Aiah Momoh – Co-Chair Two – Sierra Leone Film Council – current

Pastor Aiah Momoh has been one of the key loyalists to Jimmy Bangura over the years. Their formal body – Film Federation was the thorn in the flesh of the Sierra Leone Film Guild, one of which finally led to the creation of the Sierra Leone Film Council. He came to fame and became very notable in the Sierra Leone Film Industry for the movie “Refugee”, in which Jimmy Bangura alias Jimmy B, starred in the lead role; and for the movie production house “The Ushers”, – one of the earliest movie production houses that came into being around 2005, after the eleven years civil war.

The one question that comes to mind is why did he not allow the previously selected people as leaders of the Sierra Leone Film Council to lead the industry except that he had to force his way to being the Co-Chairperson Two of the Film Council before he and Jimmy B. finally agreed to dissolve their own body, Film Federation?

Even as that, his contribution to the growth of the film industry in the said role has not been seen and felt in this current times. As it is, he is the only Film Council Executive that was called upon to serve in the board of the recently appointed Sierra Leone’s entertainment board by the entertainment ambassador – Amara Denis Turay alias Kao Denero. Even though his presence at the board has yielded no impact on the film industry but himself as it seems. He is currently on his personal projects and he is one of the directors that really know how to make films.

Michael I Kargbo – Chairperson One – Sierra Leone Film Council – current

Michael I. Kargbo is the first and current chairperson leading the Sierra Leone Film Council. He was appointed in that position because of his experience, and mainly because the major filmmakers then where tired of the brouhaha within the industry and needed a neutral individual to lead in the newly created role, then. Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Film Council was created in 2013 by members of the Sierra Leone Film Guild and film unions across the country.

Michael is arguably the highly educated and the richest individual involved into the Sierra Leone entertainment industry- based in Sierra Leone. He actually did not get his money only from the entertainment industry but from his own companies and some others he is part of as a shareholder. He is also one of the highly educated entertainment executives Sierra Leone has produced over the years with a PHD to his belt. He is a fine journalist, a character he has molded over the period of his career.

However, his leadership would have been for the good of the Sierra Leone Film Industry but the story is just too different. He has no major result to show to the public and the general filmmakers across Sierra Leone under his leadership. A role he has held since 2013 to date. He may or might have not been meaning bad for the industry but his executive also is one of the key reasons for his huge under performance.

Michael has less motivation for the film industry as he intends to go for the Sierra Leone presidency in 2028. An intention he is currently working on by building his political party, the Young Generation Movement. But the question is, if Michael I. Kargbo cannot take the Sierra Leone Movie Industry to a better standard expected of him, can Filmmakers Vote for him if he stands as flag bearer come 2028 general elections? Have your say in the comment section.

Daramy A. Kabba – Chairperson -Sierra Leone Film Guild – current

Daramy A. Kabba is the current chairperson for the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild. He is an administrator by profession. He rose to the position after he served as the Public Relations Officer for the Film Guild for some years. He is definitely the most outstanding leader that has ever held a senior position in the Sierra Leone Film Industry following the likes of Ernest Mannah. He is very determined and would never be part of anything that has to ruin his reputation or suffer those he leads.

Daramy A. Kabba is an administrator and a true leader. He has been able to organize the first ever Film Industry Development Summit which brought huge numbers of filmmakers together to speak to people in authority and as well hear from them. He also organized the first ever Sierra Leone Film Guild Dinner as a means of fundraising. He has been a very supportive instrument to several movie projects, film award ceremonies and film related activities. He single handedly developed the Film Guild National Strategy and took part in the development of the Sierra Leone Film Policy that is yet to be passed through parliament. He has been working hard but the disappointing fact is his executive who do not see his vision but keep pulling him down from various angles.

M. J. Sessy Kamara – Secretary -Sierra Leone Film Council

M. J. Sessy Kamara has been one of the longest servicing filmmakers in Sierra Leone. He is the CEO of Brighter Days Pictures and the Next Movie Star Reality TV Show which he founded in 2012 and 2013 respectively. He has been the General Secretary for the Sierra Leone Film Council since it formation in 2013 to date. He is a film Director and Producer. Clearly, he is one of the very few amongst the leadership that has done movies recently.

He has not done any tangible move in his position as the secretary to benefit the general filmmakers within the industry. From observation, he is one of those responsible for the bad decisions of the leadership as he is part of every decision that is taken by the chairperson – Michael I. Kargbo and his co-chair2 – Pastor Aiah Momoh. Sessy is one of those within the leadership that had wanted to hijack the NATIONAL FILMS AWARDS with the notion that the founder, Idrissa Barry Jalloh had no right to have a brand that organizes national awards ceremonies for filmmakers in Sierra Leone. The only thing that stood between them and the NFA founder was the fact that he had already trade marked it with the intellectual property right office at Rockxi Building before they could know it.

Hopeful Abu Musa – PRO -Film Council – 2013 -now

Hopeful Abu Musa has been the Public Relations Officer for the Sierra Leone Film Council since it formation in 2013. He is a very well talented actor who came to fame for the movie – KASAM, a traditional movie that was done in the Krio Language. He is definitely a talent but he grows furiously angry especially at the criticism of their leadership. This has been seen over the years in his contentions with other filmmakers that do no longer support their leadership. Obviously, their leadership do not have any tangible evidence or any achievement to write home about. He is currently not an active filmmaker but holds a full time job.

Yusuff Nanah Charm – Ex-PRO 2 Film Council

Yusuff Nanah Charm is an Ex-PRO 2 who served in the current leadership of the Sierra Leone Film Council and resigned after about half of a decade with them. He is a very talented filmmaker, a teacher, writer, poet, screenwriter who first came to lime-light during the hay days of theater performances and stage drama in Sierra Leone. He has written a lot of stories and groomed a lot of young talents. for that, he came be applauded.

However, Yusuf Nanah Charm is seen as a very controversial character across the country by several filmmakers. Even though he resigned some years back, but he seeming works with the said leadership. He has been to support the wrong decisions, in that he would speak in favour of Michael and the others. Interestingly, he went on to form the the Union of Eastern Filmmaker Alliance when he knew full well that there was already an existing film body (Eastern Filmmakers) within the same zone. – the East-end of the capital city of Freetown. Contravening the very standards he seemed to have stood for. With his kind of massive caliber, he would have been someone to have been very out spoken at the under performance of the Film Council Leadership as his voice would be a game changer. To some extend, his quietness is an undertone to some stagger that plays under hand within the Sierra Leone Film Industry Leadership.

Brima Abdulai Sheriff Former Chairperson Film Guild 2012 – 2018

Brima A. Sheriff resigned after four years in the role of the Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild. He led while he was with Amnesty International and later as Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission.

Recently, he has been involved in guiding a lot of young filmmakers especially in helping them shape their projects to the level of success. Because he supported the VISION 12, 12 movement, some other filmmakers were very convinced that he wanted the position of the Sierra Leone Film Council lead. On one occasion he said, ‘’People feel I want to via for the position of the Sierra Leone Film Council chairperson, but I’m not interested. I am just in favour of things that are always done the right way.’’

Currently, Brima is working on his own projects and building his non-governmental organization. He mentors a lot of young people and that has helped him to seal his relationship with young filmmakers across the country, and it seems he commands respect than several others of his rank.

Martha Millicent Macauley Vice Chair-Actors’ Guild – Current

Martha Millicent Macauley is the Vice Chairperson for the Sierra Leone Actors’ Guild. As an individual, Martha possesses a good persona. She is an extrovert and therefore has a very wider network across the entertainment industry. She is the founder and CEO of her multimedia company – MathaRanks. She is one of the outstanding Sierra Leone actors the industry has got with a wealth of experience overseas. She decided to support the process because she saw it as an opportunity to serve and give back to a lot of young ones that look up to her kind.

Since stepping on the scene, she has been popular than the very chairperson of the Actors’ Guild, Med Unis. Together with her team, they have been able to secure acres of land for the guild. However, it is not clear what would be the intentions in developing the land as some of their members have been raising some concerns.

Harold Baby Grey – PRO -Actors’ Guild Sierra Leone – Current

Harold Baby Grey is the current Public Relations Officer for the Actors’ Guild Sierra Leone. Harold is a remarkable actors with a wealth of local and international experience in the field of acting and serving as a master of ceremony on several occasions. Even though he has not been able to gain featuring in films as some of his counterparts within the Sierra Leone Film Industry. He has been able to lend his expertise towards the branding of the Actors’ Guild Sierra Leone. However, their leadership has not been able to support the parent body, the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild.

**Conteh Abu Bakarr (40 Pound) – Secretary Directors’ Guild**

Conteh Abu Bakarr (40 Pound) is the current Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Directors’ Guild. He is a mass communication personality by profession. He has been in the said position since its formation. 40 Pound is definitely one of those whose simplest mistakes through his hasty write-ups has created an uproar especially for the executive which he is part of. His write-ups have helped to undermine the very executive he is part of especially when he has been too quick to write against his own executive and send viral without consulting the team leads. He forgets he is not a blogger neither a journalist that has the impetus to roll his thoughts into black and white and easily writes against his own position. He seems to have been following the dull footsteps of his chairperson.

Barbar Sesay – Chairperson Directors’ Guild Sierra Leone

Barbar Sesay is the current chairperson of Directors’ Guild Sierra Leone. He is one of those helping to kill the growth of the Sierra Leone Film Guild. He does not have much to offer but cannot walk away. He serves as the Chairperson of the Directors’ Guild and as Secretary of the parent body, the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild. He is one of those helping to pull down their own leader, the chairperson of the Sierra Leone Film Guild – Daramy A. Kabba. He does not have much to write about as achievement while in the seat, but it seems he cannot make up his mind to walk away either. His hot temperedness has caused a lot of uproar with the body he leads. Unlike the production of membership identification cards, he has not been able to achieve or implement any of the several plans he and his team have been putting together, year in, year out.

Henrietta Mbawoh – Executive Member of the Sierra Leone Film Council.

Henrietta Mbawoh is an executive member of the Sierra Leone Film Council. She is a very talented actor. She became notable for the role she played in the movie – Deep In The Game. Over the years, she has been one of the key players that have prevented the growth of the industry, in some way, for their own good. She is definitely a good actor who owns her own production house.

Lloyd Zachariah Sesay – Former Actors’ Guild Secretary Gen.

Lloyd Zachariah Sesay is the Ex Actors’ Guild Sierra Leone Secretary General who resigned in 2021 after being with the body for almost half a decade. He moved on to set his already registered company – Lloyd Zacky Production. In his tenure at the position, he made several contributions that helped the body to attain national and international attention within the Sierra Leone Film Industry and sub-region, respectively. He is one of the team members that helped the structuring of the Actor’s Guild Sierra Leone. Aside from his former position, Lloyd is one of the individuals that are contributing to the steady development of the Sierra Leone Film Industry through his short movies and the accolades he has gotten through the various international platforms he has gained recognition from. He is a very outstanding actor, who started as a screenwriter and director.

Ernest Mannah – Founder of the Sierra Leone Film Foundation and founding member of the Film Guild

Ernest Mannah founded the Sierra Leone Film Foundation which arguably led to the formation of the Sierra Leone Film Guild. Currently, Ernest lives in Holland. He fought had for the foundation to be well established but only to be pulled down by members of Film Federation and his own kind who thought differently and never understood his vision. On to this day, Ernest always provides time to lend his support to the Sierra Leone Film Guild even though he is often poised at the happenings within the industry.

George Luis – Chairperson Cinematographers & Technical Guild

George Luis is the current Chairperson of the Cinematographers & Technical Guild. He is one of the longest serving filmmakers in Sierra Leone with a wealth of experience in cinematography. He works with the national news organization – the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation. He is definitely one of the leaders amongst all that have been able to make the Sierra Leone Film Guild a force to reckon with. Under his watch, measures are being put in place for technical people to avoid destroying film projects.

Papa Edwin Pshaw – Founding member of Film Guild

Conclusion

The gospel truth is that most of the current individuals holding positions at the helm of the Sierra Leone Film Industry have not been performing. That being said, a good number of them do not seem to see that it is time to walk away and let a young generation of leadership to be set. It is very funny that those that have not performed well are they that are always creating furious situations when being told the truth. All will not know it, until when the government takes over the industry but setting up an entertainment commission – with bodies as the directorate of film, the directorate of culture and the directorate of music; according to current developments.

When serving as a leader, walk away when it is due and cannot perform. Don’t let yourself to be dragged out by especially the young generation.