Idris Elba to Headline Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, 7 – 10 October

Golden Globe-winning actor and Pan-African advocate, Idris Elba, is set to headline the second annual Africa Cinema Summit, which will take place from October 7 to 10, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. The summit, organised by the National Film Authority of Ghana, will focus on the theme “The Relevance of Cinema in African Communities,” and is expected to attract stakeholders from across the African continent and the global diaspora.

Elba, renowned for his passion for African development and storytelling, will be joined by key figures such as former Netflix executive Fiona Lamptey and Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer. The event will once again take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel and will provide a platform for discussions on the current surge in local content production, the importance of cinema investment, and re-imagining cinema for Africa’s under-served audiences.

In his statement ahead of the summit, Elba emphasised the significance of African storytelling: “Africa has been at the forefront of communication and storytelling for centuries, but sadly this innovation and the complex stories originating on the continent have been largely unnoticed. I am thrilled to be part of this year’s Africa Cinema Summit, where the focus will be on how Africans, on the continent and in the diaspora, can propel the cinema and content ecosystem to new heights.”

A Focus on African Cinema and Growth Opportunities

The Africa Cinema Summit will explore the untapped potential of Africa’s cinema sector. With African stories gaining global recognition, the summit will provide a space for creative minds and industry leaders to collaborate and find solutions to the challenges hindering growth. Representatives from African nations including Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Angola, alongside executives from key investment bodies like Afreximbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), are set to participate.

The summit is a continuation of the efforts initiated during last year’s inaugural event, where President Nana Akufo-Addo pledged to approve a 20% tax rebate for the Ghanaian film industry, a move that was later officially passed. This year’s event seeks to continue building strategic gains for the African film industry, with a particular focus on local content, investment, and expanding access to cinema for Africa’s lower-income audiences.

Pan-African Collaboration and Economic Potential

Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, CEO of the National Film Authority of Ghana, highlighted the importance of collaboration in growing Africa’s cinema industry: “The only way to grow local content and increase cinema offerings on the African continent is to work together. The continent holds the largest potential market growth for cinema, and our work is to make this potential a reality that benefits African communities.”

With Africa’s cinema sector showing resilience, particularly in countries like Nigeria, the summit aims to harness this momentum and turn Africa into a leading hub for global cinema production and distribution. The event will also discuss how to expand African cinema’s global reach while addressing local challenges.

Speaker Lineup and Distinguished Guests

In addition to Elba, the Africa Cinema Summit will feature prominent African leaders and creatives, including:

• King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, King of the Ga Traditional Area, Ghana
• Hon. Sandrine Umutoni, Minister of State for Youth and Arts, Rwanda
• H.E. Dr. Onyekachi Macaulay O. Kalu, Chairman, African Union Sixth Region
• Kunle Afolayan, Film Producer/Director
• Omoni Oboli, Nigerian Actress, Director, and Producer
• Aminata Diop-Johnson, The African Pavilion
• Patrick Lee, Head of Operations, Viva Cinemas Nigeria

The summit aims to strengthen cultural, historical, and economic ties through cinema, and its organizers believe that African cinema can play a pivotal role in global storytelling, creating an authentic narrative that celebrates Africa’s diversity and potential.

As the second Africa Cinema Summit approaches, it promises to be a transformative event for Africa’s cinematic future, advancing both the artistic and economic development of African communities.