Ghanaian filmmakers have been urged to tell authentic local stories, strengthen distribution networks and attract investment to take their productions to wider audiences.
The call emerged at the launch of the second Peruvian Film Festival at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), South Legon campus, in Accra, on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
The event brought together Ghanaian and Peruvian cultural representatives, filmmakers, industry executives and students to examine how cinema can shape societies, preserve national identity and build cultural connections across borders.
The festival was organised by the Embassy of Peru in Ghana in collaboration with the National Film Authority (NFA) and UniMAC under the theme, ‘The Role of Film in Shaping Societies & Promoting National Culture on the Global Stage’.
Among those who contributed to the programme were Mr Jonathan Quevedo, Deputy Ambassador of Peru to Ghana; Kafui Danku-Pitcher, Acting Executive Secretary of the NFA; Dr Joseph Aketeman, Acting Head of the Department of Production Techniques and Digital Technologies at UniMAC; and filmmaker Rossana Díaz Costa, who joined the panel discussion virtually from Madrid.
Other panellists included James Gardiner, Deputy Executive Secretary of the NFA; filmmaker, producer and director Yaw Firempong Boakye; and filmmaker and creative director Epiphania Sarah Ama Ablorde. The discussion was moderated by Matilda Ntir iwaa Kyei, Cultural Promotion and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Embassy of Peru. UniMAC students also participated in a question-and-answer session with the speakers.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr Jonathan Quevedo said the festival was part of efforts by the Peruvian Embassy to strengthen relations between the two countries through culture, dialogue and mutual understanding.
He described cinema as a tool of cultural diplomacy capable of connecting societies, preserving collective memory and shaping how countries are perceived internationally. He said the festival was also intended to create opportunities for professional connections and future collaboration, including joint productions, academic exchanges and creative partnerships between Ghanaian and Peruvian film communities.
Dr Joseph Aketeman emphasised the importance of challenging dominant narratives and ensuring that films reflect the identities and cultures of the people they portray.
Drawing parallels between the historical representation of Peru and the experiences of African societies, he argued that both regions have had to confront stereotypical portrayals and the misrepresentation of their people.
He said the festival’s theme was particularly relevant in an increasingly globalised world, where telling authentic local stories remains essential to preserving cultural identity.
Dr Aketeman expressed hope that UniMAC would continue preparing students to challenge dominant narratives and develop film projects that reflect their own histories, identities and cultures.
Beyond the cultural exchange, discussions raised a critical question for Ghana’s film industry: how can local productions compete internationally without losing the cultural identity that makes them distinctive?
For Ghana, film offers an opportunity to preserve traditions, document lived experiences, promote local languages and introduce the country’s culture to international audiences. Yet compelling stories alone cannot guarantee success. Filmmakers also need sustainable financing, effective distribution, accessible screening spaces and audiences willing to support their work.
Delivering the keynote address, Kafui Danku-Pitcher highlighted cinema’s potential to bring countries and people together.
‘Our countries may be separated by thousands of kilometres, but storytelling has a way of making distance disappear,’ she said.
Credit: myjoyonline.com
