African cinema: UNESCO launches an online consultation

The film and audio-visual industry holds immense economic potential for African States and acts as a powerful force for promoting the continent's cultural diversity. But while countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt have succeeded in laying the foundations for a structured industry and international distribution, most African countries are still struggling to develop this strategic sector.

In this context, UNESCO is launching an exploratory study on the film and audio-visual industry in Africa to gather statistical data and in-depth information on the sector to better understand its key challenges and needs on the one hand, and, on the other, to propose a roadmap to accompany African States in the elaboration and implementation of adequate policies.

To carry out this study, UNESCO is undertaking a consultation with African governments and professionals in the sector by means of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire covers the legal and regulatory environment, financing, training, as well as quantitative and economic data on the industry in each country. Furthermore, individual consultations will be carried out over the next six months by a team of consultants with professionals, companies and representatives of international organisations involved in the film and audio-visual sector in Africa.

The conclusions of this study will be shared with the concerned States and presented at the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in June 2021.