The First Preparatory Forum of East African Film Festivals and Film Producers has formed a new body—East African Film Network (EAFN)—and has elected an interim leadership to spearhead promotion and development of the East African film industry in the region.
The three-day meeting, which was held 12-14 March in Arusha, the Headquarters of the EAC, resolved that full elections will be convened in a year’s time.
During the period, the Interim leadership, which is chaired by Mr. Leonce Ngabo, President of Festival International du Cinema et Audio Visuel du Burundi (FESTICAB), has been tasked with registration, setting up of interim Secretariat in Bujumbura, which has already offered an office space, and create awareness and visibility of the new regional body.
The other interim leaders are: Vice-President– Professor Martin Mhando from Tanzania (CEO/Festival Director ZIFF); Secretary General—Mr Feisal Malik from Kenya (Director, Visual Africa Productions); Treasurer—Mr James Owaranga from Uganda (Specialist Film, Video and Cinematography).
The Country Representatives are: Ndikumana Papy Amani, Director/Producer of Burundi Film Centre; Ogova Ondego, Creative Director Lola Kenya Screen; Tresor Senga, Director General A Thousand Hills Academy Awards (Rwanda); Mary Birdi, Festival Manager Arusha Film Festival (Tanzania); and Francis Ojede, Executive Director Uganda National Cultural Centre.
The 20-plus delegates from the EAC Partner States noted that there was an urgent need for an advocacy body to fully tap the potentials of film industry in East Africa and spin it as another important regional hub of film production and distribution.
“The film industry will also create jobs for our youths and enhance the East African culture and identity,’’ stated Ngabo during his closing address.He also said that EAFN would showcase East African talents and support regional strategic interventions geared towards development of arts and culture. “It will also assist in continuous research in culture, creative industries and related activities within the Region,” he added.
The Forum has requested the EAC Secretariat to support the operationalization of the new body, which is partly fulfilment of the Treaty’s Article 119(c).
Addressing the participants at the official opening, on behalf of the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors Hon. Jesca Eriyo, the Head of the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Mr. Owora Richard Othieno commended the East African Film Festival Directors for initiating the process to re-establish an alliance of Film Festivals to support the regional integration effort through film.
The EAC official said the Secretariat was delighted and would fully support the initiative to further strengthen the already existing cooperation between the EAC, other state and non-state actors towards building a stronger East African Community through the Arts and Culture.
The Representative of German Development Agency (GIZ), Ms. Miriam Heidtmann re-affirmed GIZ’s commitment to support the regional integration initiative.
The Forum was convened by the EAC Secretariat and facilitated by GIZ.
