The road ahead is certainly not without its challenges, and nothing is certain. However, with a commitment to an unapologetic authenticity and a willingness to take chances, I believe this is a time of great potential for African filmmakers, but also one of great responsibility! [Repeat]
Now is the time to take risks. With the increasing number of opportunities and platforms available, African filmmakers have a unique opportunity to explore new territories in storytelling and style.
This doesn’t mean abandoning coherence or quality for the sake of being different. Nor does “pushing the envelope” imply resorting to graphic violence or explicit sexual content.
It demands a careful and thoughtful approach to “experimentation”—one that is grounded in a solid understanding of storytelling, character development, and cinematic technique, especially if it means stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
African filmmakers have the opportunity to redefine the so-called “African narrative,” challenge expectations, and contribute something truly unique (in all its diversity) to global cinema.
The advice (courtesy of Arthur Ashe) is simple: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Even if the world is not ready for what you have to offer, remember that you’re not just responding to market demands—you’re actively shaping them.
[Last week, Akoroko Premium subscribers received a dispatch titled “A Manifesto for Emerging African Filmmakers: The Quest for a Distinctive Cinema,” which is part of an ongoing series. This post is lifted from it. Subscribe here.]