Ghanaian filmmaker, Jackson K. Bentum

Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker and award-winning director, Jackson K. Bentum, has dismissed claims that the Kumawood film industry is dead.

He has insisted that the industry is simply in a period of transition.
According to him, the revival of the industry depends on the development of cinema infrastructure across the country.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Bentum explained that the widespread belief that Kumawood has collapsed stems from the decline of CD sales, which once dominated film distribution in Ghana.

He argued that like all creative industries, Kumawood is evolving and not obsolete.

“Kumawood is not dead, it is just waiting for its moment in the spotlight again. When you look at major film industries such as Bollywood and Hollywood, they have transitioned from physical media to dazzling theatre premieres. Here in Ghana, we’ve also stopped selling CDs, and that’s why some people believe the industry is defunct,” he explained.

Bentum, who is currently leading efforts to rejuvenate the Kumasi-based film scene, emphasised that the real challenge lies in the country’s lack of cinemas.

“The real issue is that we lack enough cinemas. If we had more, people would realise the movie industry is still vibrant. The cinematic experience that audiences worldwide cherish must also happen here," he added.

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