#Ethiopia: On January 16, 2024, Addis Ababa University hosted a conference to discuss the past, present, and future of Ethiopian cinema.
Titled “Ethiopian Film Industry from Where to Where?” the forum saw participation from film directors, producers, screenwriters, and doctoral students.
The Reporter Ethiopia covered the event on their website in an article titled “Rewinding the reels of time: Ethiopia’s Cinematic Journey.“
In summary, discussions focused on the growth and challenges of the Ethiopian film industry, including technological advancements, production processes, the need for skilled labor, and effective distribution, while acknowledging its significant potential in Africa.
Historical context was also provided, specifically, Ethiopian cinema’s fluctuating fortunes over the years, influenced by different government regimes.
Highlighted was what is considered the first Ethiopian feature film, WHO IS HIRUT’S FATHER? (HIRUT ABATWA MANEW).
Released in 1957 (although dates conflict), WHO IS HIRUT’S FATHER? was directed by Lambros Jokaris from a script by Ilala Ibsa who also produced. (Ibsa is credited as director by some sources)
The film tells the empowering story of Hirut, who, despite being forced into prostitution, defies her circumstances and transforms her life through education, ultimately becoming a successful, educated, “modern” woman.
There is no mention of the film in the African cinema reference books I own, which date the first indigenous Ethiopian films to the 1970s.
Further research suggests that a reason for this absence is that Jokaris, sometimes credited as the director of the film, was Greek, not Ethiopian.
Ibsa, who wrote and produced the film, was Ethiopian.
Good luck finding the film—I certainly couldn’t, despite its feature at “Ethiopian Film Week” in London in 2022, reportedly the first time it screened outside of Ethiopia, a lead I’m currently pursuing.
In the meantime, I welcome any additional information on the film, as there isn’t much available online.
Below is footage from the film provided by the organization behind Ethiopian Film Week (no sound).