NFA launches Cinema Train to boost Ghanaian film industry

The National Film Authority (NFA) has launched the Cinema Train Initiative, a platform designed to enhance access to cinema, improve exhibition, and generate sustainable revenue for Ghanaian filmmakers. The initiative was launched on October 31 at Silverbird Cinemas in Accra, with the aim of revitalizing Ghana's cinema-going culture by linking filmmakers, distributors, cinema operators, and audiences.

The launch was attended by Kafui Danku, CEO of NFA, who unveiled the initiative, which was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders to create a more accessible and commercially viable film exhibition system. Danku highlighted the challenges filmmakers face, including limited exhibition opportunities for their works and difficulties in generating revenue from their productions.

She emphasized that without accessible platforms for film screenings, many well-produced films would never reach audiences, hindering the growth of the local film industry. The Cinema Train Initiative includes the digital platform, www.cinematrain.com, which enables users to discover and purchase tickets for film screenings, thereby simplifying access to cinema.

The NFA also plans to expand cinema exhibition centers through strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including the National Commission on Culture, the private sector, and communities. Danku stressed that the initiative's success hinges on public participation, urging Ghanaians to support the industry by purchasing tickets and attending screenings.

She called on corporate organizations, sponsors, and investors to support the initiative, stating that such involvement would bolster exhibitors' commercial prospects and strengthen the overall film industry.