Film laws and policies should not cripple industry —Peter Sedufia
Renowned film director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oldfilm Productions, Peter Sedufia, has asked governing film authorities, such as the National Film Authority (NFA,) not to implement laws and policies that will cripple the progress of the sector.
Advertisement
Although he acknowledged any sector without proper regulations and guidelines would breed indiscipline and lack of coordination.
However, in the bid to ensure proper structuring and regulation, the relevant authorities should not initiate policies likely to stall the progress of the film industry.
Speaking as a panel member at the third Graphic Showbiz Forum hosted at the Multichoice office in Accra on Tuesday, July 25, Mr Sedufia said he was privy to some of the laws and even though most of them were not functional at the moment, some were likely to cripple the industry when they became operational.
“Every sphere of the human race needs regulation to ensure order. When there are no guidelines, everyone will do what they like, so putting these laws in place will help have a working system that is going to propel the industry to the state we all desire.
“If there is no regulation, no one knows what is happening, and no one answers to anyone. However, there should be directions so that people will know the industry is regulated, which will encourage them to invest.
“While these policies are beneficial, it has to be mentioned that they should not be barriers to the growth of the sector. I have had conversations with the leadership of NFA about their proposed policies/laws and hope that they don’t rather cripple us,” he said.
Sedufia, whose works include Aloe Vera, Sidechic Gang and Keteke, mentioned that the world appreciates relevant content, and those who did not fall in line would be left behind.
Other main speakers at the Graphic Showbiz Forum, which was on the theme: “Future of Ghana Movie Industry: Bright or Bleak”, were Film Producer and Director, Ivan Quashigah, a lecturer at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and Public Relations Officer of The Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), George Bosompim, actor Prince David Osei and Afua Kissi-Nyame, Head of Marketing, MultiChoice Ghana.
The event saw several players in the film sector holding relevant conversations on the state of Ghana’s movie industry and the way forward.
In a speech read on his behalf, the MD of Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Mr Ato Afful said the forum which formed part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the brand Graphic Showbiz is to create a platform for people in the entertainment industry to share ideas on the current state of the industry and the way forward.
“For the GCGL, the way forward for Graphic Showbiz is clear. It will continure to promote the entertainment industry in more innovate ways both in news and by relevant events.
“Graphic Showbiz will do this by responding to the current dictates of consumer preference due to changing technology, which has turned the globe into a digital space.
“Already, the brand has taken steps in this direction. Readers now want news to follow them. They want the news on a device in their palm. We are in the digital age. Graphic Showbiz has therefore gone digital too on www.graphic.com.gh and on Graphic NewsPlus. You don’t have to wait a week to get updates of showbiz news. You have real time updates daily from Graphic Showbiz.