The First Preparatory Forum of East African Film Festivals and Film Producers took place from 12 to 14 March in Tanzania. The aim of the forum was to form a body of film industry professionals and government officials responsible for promoting film festivals and enhancing film distribution in the region.
The organisation has since been established as the East African Film Network (EAFN) with interim leaders: Professor Martin Mhando, Festival Director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival who will serve as Vice President; Feisal Malik, Director of Visual Africa Productions who will serve as Secretary General; and James Owaranga, a specialist in film, video and cinematography, who will serve as the Treasurer.
Country representatives are Ndikumana Papy Amani, Director and Producer of non-profit media development project, Burundi Film Centre; Ogova Ondego, Creative Director of Lola Kenya Screen; Tresor Senga, Director General for Rwanda’s A Thousand Hills Academy Awards; Mary Birdi, Festival Manager of Tanzania’s Arusha Film Festival; and Francis Ojede, Executive Director of the Uganda National Cultural Centre.
As agreed upon at the initial meeting, full leadership for the newly formed body will be put into place in 2015.
The initiative is being supported and funded by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) Tanzania.
