The Government of Uganda through the line ministry -the Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development (MGLSD) while launching the project dubbed “Revitalizing the Film Industry for Livelihood Enhancement (REFILE) with funding from the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, has called upon the young film makers and stakeholders to focus on creating cutting-edge content that is on market demand.
REFILE is aimed at strengthening the film industry across Eastern Africa, particularly in Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Speaking at the project announcement, Ruth Tusaasirwe, Principal Social Development Officer at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development disclosed that the project’s focus is to regenerate and revamp the Eastern Africa film sector for sustainable growth and development in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
“REFILE’s goal is to harness the power of digital technology to promote sustainable growth, enhance livelihoods, and create opportunities for young people and women in the region. The project funding is 99,960 USD funded by the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).
According to Tusaasirwe, REFILE specific objectives include; To strengthen and promote the film sector in Eastern Africa through mapping and creating a network of professional organizations for film and content creators, to widen the market for Eastern Africa audio-visual through collective e-distribution of content beyond borders and as well build capacity of women and young It personnel in the digital communication and OTT platform management film sector for sustainable growth and development
Tusaasirwe also cited that the project comes in handy and is mostly looking at promoting employment and productivity, positive cultural values, rights of vulnerable groups and gender responsive development among others.
She also highlighted that, “This project is a collaborative effort, involving key partners across Eastern Africa, including The National Information and Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U), the Rwanda Development Board, the Tanzania Filmmakers Association, Ethio Ark wood Entertainment, and Eleven Tech Abots from India and Pearlwood.
Mzee Julius Bwanika, Executive Secretary Pearlwood explained that, “the major core problem in the film industry has been and still remains with lack of market to sell the movies/films in Uganda and the rest of the world but with such projects, we shall eventually get out of the pressing issue and cherish both the industry and the works of our hands.”
The REFILE project which officially commenced on Thursday August 29, 2024, is set to run for one year and will include a series of activities such as the establishment of a seamless streaming Video-on-Demand platform (Stream East) and the formation of an Eastern Africa multi-national film practitioners’ rapport among others.
