tract the same levels of popularity claimed by the well-developed European and American industries , it has shown significant growth and progress in the beginning of the 21st century , a fact reflected in part by the creation of a Journal of African Cinema and African TV channels .
Such mediums act as awareness raising mechanisms and promote the diffusion of films , allowing the African film industry to attract genuine interest from the international community . The media and entertainment industries are registering above average growth in many African countries and are expected to grow at 5 % GDP per capita up until 2015 . Many countries such as Nigeria , Kenya and South Africa offer the great opportunities for content producers and distribution platforms for film , television , digital media , mobile and other forms of entertainment .
AL : Why should we care about film in Africa ?
LW : Africa is not a country , and the whole continent ’ s story can ’ t be the story of poverty and diseases alone . Our challenge is to get the world to understand and to tell a different story , a more accurate story of Africa , one country at a time .
That ’ s why joining us for in watching African films is so important . Through African eyes and the film maker ’ s lens , you ’ ll learn about the dreams , joy , hope and amazing resilience that is Africa today . So if you thought Africa was one place , or a poor place : think again . Africa is making huge leaps forward .
Perhaps one of Africa ´ s greatest assets is its highly diverse cultural , historical and social composition . An ever-growing film industry , encouraged by increased investments and the abolition of political censorship , will further add impetus to an already booming sector by allowing creative minds to harness this cultural capital . Furthermore , an expanded film industry translates into a flourishing labor market , providing new opportunities for young talent and thus helping to combat the global contemporary phenomenon of youth unemployment . The film industry of Africa will aid African countries in their quest for the universal goal of economic development .
To celebrate all this , the west African film festival recently screened nearly a dozen films over the course of a week at several venues around Houston . I sat down with Linda Wuest and Natashia Clarke to find out more about the annual event .
AL : How did the West African Film Festival ( WAFF ) begin ?
LW : The inspiration for the West African Film Festival in Houston came at about the time of the Ebola crisis . We found that a tremendous amount of work was being done by African artists , filmmakers , and musicians , who risked their lives to educate their communities about this disease . The quality of films was first-rate , even Oscar caliber . There was a world of great films : comedies that were smart and witty , wonderful dramas , histories , and documentaries , produced in West Africa , that gave the African perspective , one that was not being seen in the Western media . They were about courage , hard work , determination , and creativity .
The Refugee Allstars , for example , is a documentary about a group of young men , survivors of war , who traveled around Sierra Leone singing songs about Ebola and how to protect yourself and family . It was an African story , a timely one , about survival , music , and giving . It was also a universal story , one of love , hope , education , and the choices that make us human . American audiences would love this film , with all the music , energy , and such a great story — but it wasn ’ t being shown anywhere !
Natashia ( who has a background in the film industry ) and I talked about the lack of awareness of African media in the West . Why was the story of Africa not brought to us through the vision and voice of Africans ? The reason , of course , is that African-generated media has limited distribution in the West . What little we hear about Africa is often generated by Western visitors and filtered through the lens of the Western mindset . We wanted to change that .
Natashia and I felt that a West African Film Festival for Houston was needed to bring West African films to our community . We should be able to hear the story of Africa from African people themselves . We also hope to support West African artists by increasing distribution opportunities for West African films .
NC : The WAFF is Linda ’ s brain child . I conducted my grad-school thesis research at the World Affairs Council of Houston from 2014 - 2015 . In the summer of 2015 , Linda approached me about joining the organizing committee of the film festival . She knew about my entertainment background from Los Angeles . The rest is history . I interned under Linda and It was a wonderful experience . We shared an interest in communication , film , and the power of images . We understood the need for films that could speak truth to power and we both felt that the story of Africa was not being brought to Western audiences accurately and completely . We formed a committee of friends who shared our commitment to the arts and our interest in films . The West African Film Festival was launched !
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