According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the African film industry has immense potential. Still, it lags due to a lack of infrastructure, such as one cinema screen per 787,402 people. However, Africa has seen a surge in film creation and distribution in recent years, with streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ enabling a new and alternative economy for African filmmakers.
The film industry in Africa currently employs about 5 million people and contributes US$5 billion to the continent’s GDP. Although, according to UNESCO’s first comprehensive research on Africa’s film industry, while there is no shortage of talented filmmakers on the continent, the African film industry is historically and structurally underfunded, underdeveloped, and undervalued.
According to the report, the industry is booming, potentially generating 20 million jobs and $20 billion in annual revenue. Despite this, Africa’s potential as a film-making hotspot is primarily untapped. Nigeria’s film industry “Nollywood” is a beautiful success story in this regard, producing 2500 films per year. It is Africa’s most extensive and the world’s second-largest film industry by volume, trailing only Bollywood in India.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down cinemas across the continent, there are fears that film distribution may be permanently halted in some countries.
The film industry also faces the problem of piracy. According to the UNESCO report, it is estimated to be responsible for 50 per cent of potential earnings, though precise data does not exist. In addition, only 19 of 54 African countries offer financial support to filmmakers.
Gender equality persists as a challenge, notably in the Central African region, where women account for less than 10 per cent of film production.
Further challenges are outlined in the report, including limitations on freedom of expression and education, training, and internet connectivity.
UNESCO is expected to present the report findings and recommendations during the Pan-African Festival of Cinema and Television in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, later this month.
