𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲

Meanwhile, the world is waking up to the potential of African stories. Streamers and investors are circling, but without unity and a collaborative spirit, we risk handing over creative control to outsiders who see Africa as a monolith, not a mosaic of unique voices. Worse, we risk losing our economic and creative autonomy, becoming dependent on foreign studios that may not have our best interests at heart.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: until the majority of African filmmakers learn to see each other as allies, not enemies, we will continue to punch below our weight—no matter how much outside investment comes in.

It’s time to ask ourselves: are we ready to put aside ego and rivalry for the greater good of African cinema? Or will we keep sabotaging our own potential? It is time to start looking inside out not the other way around.

(By Ossoo Omondi)

End