Film piracy

Another issue of major concern is the reality of film piracy in Africa. This social phenomenon is rapidly expanding due to the evolution of new computer technology and the communication techniques.

Films can be easily duplicated in industrial quantities on DVD or VCD. Also, DVD or VCD players are cheap these days in Africa, so that pirated videos are widely available and affordable. That is the reason why so many Africans today choose to watch movies at home.

However, the Cameroonian actor and comedian Nyom, alias "Leo Le Nul'Art," thinks that piracy is not entirely negative for the industry.

"I believe that countries should instead organize this piracy so that it no longer has a negative impact and it will disappear by itself."

Nyom said the lack of structures to promote and distribute films could lead to the disappearance of African cinema if it was not for piracy.

"We want [people] to see our films in Africa and we can only do so [conveniently and cheaply] via piracy, which enables our films to penetrate into households," he said.

Keep it real

The films that are finding their way into African households all reflect the culture of a country. TV series and made-for-TV movies are the most popular. This is one of the findings of Josseline Mbock, film buff and a young student at the University of Yaoundé.

"I like films that show the African realities, not films which are imitations in which Africans do not recognize themselves. So to me, the most popular films are those that show Africans as they live," she said.

Cinema can also play an important role by promoting the image of Africa. Diop thinks filmmakers should be using some of Africa's best literature.

 "We have many good books that nobody has ever brought to the screen. Those books are good screenplays that just need to be adapted. Instead of writing mundane stories, I think it is necessary to start to work from African literature."

To make an impact on international audiences African films need to promote its own culture. Nyom gave examples of other cultures, such as Chinese films featuring martial arts, Italians featuring mafia and American films featuring guns as realities of the respective cultures and environment.

Nevertheless, Nigeria is expressing its realities well in film with topics of witchcraft, issues of religion, magic and trafficking. Through regular festivals such as FESPACO in Burkina Faso or Ecrans Noirs in Cameroon, platforms are available to allow African film to express them and plan the destiny of the industry. It also provides an opportunity to reward and honor those who are excelling.

This year, Ecrans Noirs voted Algerian Abdelkrim Bahloul top filmmaker for his movie Un Voyage à Alger (A Journey to Algiers). Nollywood (Nigeria's film industry) star Olu Jacobs was given a standing ovation at the closing ceremony when he was presented with the Prix Charles Mensah (Ecran d'Honneur) for his outstanding life achievement as an actor of local and international success.

(Reporting from Cameroon)