British-Chinese filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung, renowned for his work on Redcon-1 and Bodyguard, has praised Ghanaian and African cinema for its wealth of talent and compelling narratives.
He asserted that these stories have the potential to compete on the global stage if provided with the right platforms.
Speaking at the tenth edition of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) in Accra, Cheung emphasized the importance of education, mentorship, and collaboration in empowering African filmmakers to reach international audiences.
“Cinema is an incredible medium that unites people. The more we share knowledge, the more opportunities arise. Education and collaboration are essential for African stories to thrive globally,” he remarked.
According to Cheung, one of the main challenges African filmmakers face is the lack of structured education and understanding within the industry, particularly around production, distribution, and exhibition.
“There is often a disconnect globally, in terms of production, distribution, and exhibition. Creatives sometimes work in silos. Encouraging more collaboration and understanding across the board is really important,” he explained.
He emphasized the need to tell stories that resonate internationally.
“It’s about finding the right stories that can travel, that connect with audiences across the world, while still being authentic to our culture,” Cheung highlighted.
Cheung’s recent project, Son of the Soil(2025), which had its world premiere at BSIFF, reflects his commitment to showcasing African narratives. He directed the film, collaborating closely with Nigerian-British Razaaq Adoti.
Cheung revealed that working on the project reinforced his belief in Africa’s cinematic potential. He noted that the talent, creativity, and richness of African stories make the continent uniquely positioned to create films that resonate globally.
He expressed enthusiasm for working with Ghanaian talent in the future.
“We are eager to explore opportunities here in Ghana too. In fact, one of the reasons for coming to the festival was to explore the market and opportunities here. We are very interested in developing films, uncovering new talent, and collaborating with local creatives,” he said.
Cheung concluded by stressing the importance of attending film events like BSIFF to network with international filmmakers, build relationships, and collaborate, ensuring African stories reach global audiences.
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