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The Freetown Film Festival provides a unique annual showcase for Sierra Leone films and an insight into the tremendous growth of local filmmaking and its potential for the future. It provides everyone with a chance to gather together, to network and to meet with screen actors, filmmakers, production teams, corporate sponsors, film investors, and other relevant people.


Hold on! What is so important about film?
It is now widely acknowledged that film-making is an important part of the culture of all modern societies. In addition to its social contributions through education and entertainment, it directly benefits the economy in the form of employment, local and foreign currency revenues, and increased international awareness and tourism in the country. In post-war Sierra Leone, opportunities now exist for these social and economic potentials to be developed not only for the benefit of film-makers and audiences, but also for the benefit of the country's culture and economy as a whole.


Do Sierra Leoneans really make films?
Despite the recent war, and the challenging social environment, there are have been more than thirty feature length films completed by the country's struggling filmmakers in just the last ten years. Currently an average of at least 6 films a year are being produced.


But why don't people get a chance to see them?
Sierra Leone films do not yet have the fame and popularity of work from other African countries, mainly because of a lack of appropriate promotion and distribution. Consequently, there has been a lack of knowledge and demand on the part of audiences. That is why the Freetown Film Festival is probably the most important step to be taken in recent years to give recognition to the body of films being made by Sierra Leonean talent. The Freetown Film Festival is the first and only such event officially recognised internationally for acknowledging and celebrating the work of the country's filmmakers. It is a unique window on the emergence of 'Sollywood' - Sierra Leone's own rapidly developing film production sector.


How will the Festival benefit filmmakers?
The Festival provides filmmakers with a unique opportunity for formal exposure and professional recognition; to come together and see their own work and that of their professional peers; to meet and network in a cinema environment; and to be seen and acknowledged by local audiences. Furthermore, by generating audience and professional interest alike, it paves the way for the possibility of further screenings internationally, as well as for future sales from both local and international markets.


And what about benefits for local audiences?
The Freetown Film Festival provides audiences with a unique opportunity to learn about, and see, some of the many films made by Sierra Leoneans over the years, including rare early films. There will be opportunities to meet and talk with many of the filmmakers, actors and other professionals and offer them compliments, criticisms, or other feedback and suggestions... The Freetown Film Festival gives audiences a chance to find out more about our country's newly emerging industry and how we can all support, it for the benefit of Sierra Leone.


Great. How can I attend or submit my films to the Freetown Film Festival?
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The Freetown Film Festival is part of a varied series of initiatives and projects created and implemented by the Sierra Leone National Film Workshop. The Sierra Leone National Film Workshop is a local, non-profit making organisation working with local film-makers and local as well as international organisations to encourage and support the development of local film-making in Sierra Leone.