After weeks of selection processes by the National Film Authority Pitch Series Selection Committee, 25 projects submitted to the Committee by 25 film makers have been shortlisted for the next stage of the pitch series.
Some of the selected projects include:Tutu, We too, A woman’s instincts, My Cape Coast love, Baba Bongoro, The republic versus and White fish to name a few.
The Selection Committee chaired by Ivan Quashigah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farmhouse Productions, examined hundred different genre projects on documentaries, feature films, short films, series, film infrastructure among others.
Speaking at the NFA Pitch Series event that announced the 25 shortlisted applicants, Mr Quashigah noted that selection processes were based on the assessment of the creative strength of submitted projects taking into consideration the relevance, impact, originality, adaptability as well as the ‘wow factor’ of the projects.
According to him, projects received by the Committee amounted to Ghs 120 million with some projects requiring as high as Ghs 4 million financing with others requiring as low as Ghs 450.
“This is indicative of how wide the knowledge gap is in the film industry and so a workshop will be organized for shortlisted applicants to orient them and help them understand what is required of them in the film making industry,” he noted.
Shortlisted applicants after the workshop will repackage their projects, present and defend them to the Committee. Six projects however, will be selected from the shortlisted projects for the final pitching process on a bigger platform with the goal of attracting investors, broadcasters and distribution deals.
The NFA Pitch Series is an all film-related pitching event intended to bring filmmakers and the Ghanaian film ecosystem to the attention of investors, broadcasters, distributors, sponsors and platforms around the world for potential collaboration, sponsorship, sales and advertising opportunities.
The overall objectives of the Pitch Series is to help evolve a dynamic, economically self-sustaining film industry in Ghana, promote the creation of a conducive business environment for the local production, distribution, exhibition and marketing of films and facilitate high-quality local production to appeal to a global market.
It is a combined effort by the National Film Authority, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and MultiChoice Ghana to attract investments necessary to chart a brighter course for the Ghanaian film industry.
