Africa鈥檚 film聽and audiovisual industries聽could create over 20 million jobs and contribute $20 billion to the continent鈥檚 combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP),聽the UN cultural agency,聽UNESCO, said on Tuesday in聽a new report highlighting聽this untapped potential.聽
聽is the first-ever mapping of the sector, which currently employs some five million people and accounts for $5 billion in GDP across Africa
Making creativity viable
Audrey Azoulay, the聽聽Director-General, presented the report in Paris alongside esteemed filmmakers Abderrahmane Sissako and Mati Diop.
鈥淭his landmark publication reflects on the importance of strengthening international cooperation to enable all countries, in particular developing countries, to develop cultural and creative industries that are viable and competitive both nationally and internationally,鈥澛�蝉丑别听.
The report aims to help the African film industry, and decision-makers, to take stock of the current landscape and plan strategically for future growth.
Africa鈥檚 potential as a film powerhouse remains largely untapped, despite a significant growth in production across the continent, the report argues.聽Nigeria alone produces around 2,500 films a year.
Even though affordable digital film equipment and online platforms allow direct distribution to consumers, opening new avenues for content creators, Africa is the most underserved continent in terms of movie theatres.聽 Currently, there is only one cinema screen per 787,402 people.
Lights, camera, piracy
The film industry also faces the significant problem of piracy.聽 The UNESCO report estimates that 50 per cent to over 75 per cent of revenue is lost to piracy, though precise data does not exist.聽 Additionally, just 19 out of 54 African countries offer financial support to filmmakers.
The report outlines further challenges, including limitations on freedom of expression, as well as education, training and internet connectivity.
Films as 鈥榩ublic goods鈥�
This year marks two decades since the adoption of a聽that upholds cultural diversity as being as necessary to humanity as biodiversity is to nature.
Ms. Azoulay said in commemorating the anniversary, 鈥渨e must raise our voice to reaffirm that films are indeed 鈥榩ublic goods鈥� that require public support and investment to ensure equal access to creation, production, distribution, dissemination and consumption.鈥澛�
