President of the Black Star International Film Festival, Juliet Asante, has cautioned Ghanaian filmmakers that while many are calling for transformation in the industry, few are willing to embrace the mindset shifts required to make that change possible.
Speaking at the tenth edition of the festival in Accra, Juliet Asante highlighted what she described as one of the most pressing challenges holding back the growth of Ghana’s film sector, which is resistance to change.
“One of the major issues we face is that we say we want change, but we do not want to change. We want things to be different, but when it comes to actually shifting our mindset, our structures, or our approach, there is resistance. And that makes it very difficult to move forward as an industry,” she said.
According to her, the festival has over the years-built connections with distributors, funders and international partners, and has played a critical role in opening new markets for Ghanaian films.
She also revealed that the festival is finalising a partnership with the Ivory Coast that will see selected Ghanaian films premiered there, a development she described as a golden opportunity for local filmmakers.
“We are in the process of building a partnership with the Ivory Coast to have some Ghanaian films premiered there. These initiatives are designed to expand the reach of Ghanaian cinema. These are golden opportunities, yet many of our filmmakers are absent. If you do not show up where distributors, funders and partners are, how can you expect your work to travel?” she remarked.
She, however, expressed disappointment that many filmmakers are absent from BSIFF and other industry events, stressing that their lack of engagement undermines such efforts.
For her, funding remains a challenge, but mindset and lack of engagement are equally significant barriers holding the industry back.
“We do a lot of advocacy behind the scenes, but it will mean little if our own filmmakers are not part of the process,” she emphasised.
She emphasised that calls for transformation must go beyond rhetoric and translate into practical action.
According to her, BSIFF exists to serve the industry by creating spaces for knowledge sharing, networking and access to markets, but these benefits can only be realised if filmmakers participate fully.
This year’s festival was held under the theme The Relevance of Film in Society, highlighting cinema not only as a source of entertainment but also as a tool for education, cultural preservation and social change.
Marking its tenth anniversary, Juliet Asante reiterated her belief that Ghanaian filmmakers must embrace change, seize the opportunities created, and take ownership of the platforms designed for their growth.
“The festival exists for the industry, but it cannot work without the industry. If we all want change, then we must all be ready to change,”she concluded.
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