Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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FILMMAKING IN ETHIOPIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS [Abstract ID: 0903-02]

ASEMAHAGN Aseres, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Ethiopian film industry has been experiencing a revival and resurgence. However, filmmaking in Ethiopia is still in its infancy when it is compared with many other African countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya for example. The new blood in Ethiopian filmmaking joined the industry with a lot of passion and interest, but with few skills and little formal training. Most of the film producers in Ethiopia don’t have formal education. The need to explore the challenges facing filmmakers and the prospects of the film industry interests this researcher. Delving deeper into the challenges that demand improvement will be a primary aim of this research. Assessing the prospects of the sector will contribute to an understanding of the current lack of development of filmmaking. Ultimately the researcher hopes to identify and describe the challenges faced by filmmakers in Ethiopia at present and develop workable suggestions for development of the film industry in Ethiopia. This paper will employ in-depth interviews and other possible sources with a selection of current and aspiring Ethiopian filmmakers, including producers, directors, script writers, cinematographers and editors. Other stakeholders like government officials involved in sectors related to film will also be interviewed.