By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, Sierra Leone — Uniting Through the Lens, a Sierra Leonean filmmaking organization, is set to host the Freetong Film Festival, aiming to unite and promote local filmmakers across the country. The event, which will run from September 12 to September 19, 2024, marks a significant effort to enhance the skills of filmmakers nationwide and drive the growth of the country’s film industry.
The festival, led by Dr. Joseph B. Johnson, CEO of Uniting Through the Lens, will feature a series of workshops, film screenings, and awards ceremonies, extending its reach beyond the capital city to include Port Loko and Bo.
Festival Director Aiah Momoh emphasized the festival’s role in fostering development and collaboration among Sierra Leonean filmmakers. “The festival will feature a filmmaking workshop focused on film directing and other essential skills, led by a professional filmmaker from the United States,” Momoh announced. He encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to participate in the free workshops, which will be held on September 13 at the Standards Bureau in Freetown, September 16 at Banka Bouthy in Port Loko, and September 18 at Valentino in Bo.
In addition to the workshops, the festival will kick off with an opening and awards night on September 15 at the Freetown City Council Hall, where filmmakers will be honored for their dedication and contributions to the industry. “Filmmakers will be awarded for their efforts and persistence in filmmaking,” Momoh said.
The festival also includes a short film production phase, with activities scheduled in Freetown on September 12, in Port Loko on September 15 and 17, and in Bo on September 17 and 19. This phase aims to provide hands-on experience for participants, further enhancing their filmmaking skills.
Building on the success of its inaugural festival in December 2022, Uniting Through the Lens continues to advance Sierra Leonean cinema, aiming to create a dedicated following both locally and internationally. The expansion of the festival beyond Freetown is a deliberate effort to unify the country’s filmmakers, fostering collaboration and shared growth within the industry.
The Freetong Film Festival represents a significant opportunity for Sierra Leonean filmmakers to develop their craft and gain recognition, contributing to the broader goal of national development through the arts.