James Gardiner
Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, James Gardiner, has reportedly clarified that the newly announced GH¢20 million film fund will prioritise capacity building within the country’s film industry.
The fund, introduced as part of the government’s support to the industry is expected to boost the sector and drive long-term growth.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Joseph Owusu Worae, James explained that the initiative is not intended as direct cash handouts but will instead focus on strengthening the industry’s foundation.
According to him, the fund will support film productions, workshops, masterclasses and professional training programmes aimed at equipping filmmakers with the skills needed to compete both locally and internationally.
“This is about building capacity. It’s not a free-for-all cash distribution,” he indicated.
James also addressed concerns about transparency, stressing that the disbursement process will be handled through a structured system.
“If you bring a project or proposal for support, we don’t sit on it. I don’t get to choose where the money goes. There’s a whole committee supervising it, and a board as well. It goes through all those steps before any decision is made,” he said.
He added that filmmakers seeking support must be licensed by the National Film Authority and demonstrate a credible track record in the industry.
The initiative is expected to not only fund film projects but also professionalise the sector and position Ghanaian filmmakers to produce high-quality content for the global market.