Freetown Filmmaking Awards Celebrate Sierra Leone’s Rising Stars
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
FREETOWN, Sept. 15, 2024 – The vibrant heart of Sierra Leone’s capital came alive on Sunday as ‘Uniting Through the Lens’, a key organization in the nation’s filmmaking scene, hosted its inaugural awards festival at Freetown’s City Hall. The event, which aimed to honor Sierra Leone’s filmmaking community, recognized the exceptional contributions of filmmakers and industry stakeholders who have played pivotal roles in advancing the country’s entertainment sector.
The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the ‘Legendary Awards’ to five distinguished individuals whose contributions have helped shape Sierra Leone’s cultural landscape. Honorees included Dr. Julius Spencer, Chairman of Ballanta’s Board; Mrs. Elvira Bobson-Kamara, Acting Principal of Ballanta; Sierra Leonean music icon Jimmy Bangura, known as Jimmy B.; and celebrated filmmakers Salami Carew and Abu Saccoh. Each was recognized for their leadership and service, with awards bearing the inscription: “For manifesting great leadership over the years and serving as a role model to Sierra Leone’s industry.”
In addition to the individual recognitions, the festival awarded excellence in several film categories. ‘Hidden Crime’ took home the Best Documentary Diaspora award, while ‘The Good Wife’ was recognized as the Best Non-Documentary Diaspora. ‘Broken Voices’ earned the title of Best Short Film. The big winner of the night was ‘Scuffle’, which dominated with wins for Best Feature Film, Best Producer, Best Director, Best Camera Person, Best Editor, and Best Actress.
The festival also shone a spotlight on Sierra Leone’s thriving football culture. ‘Wife Female Football’, a team based in Makeni, won Best Female Football Team, while ‘Half-Port Loko and Half-Waterloo’ secured the Best Male Football Team award.
A panel of international filmmakers reviewed more than 50 films submitted for the festival, ensuring a rigorous and fair selection process. The event aimed to elevate Sierra Leone’s filmmaking standards and foster unity within the entertainment industry.
Dr. Bankole Thompson, CEO of Freetong Festival, lauded the awards as an important platform for showcasing Sierra Leone’s talent and for fostering collaboration among diverse groups. “Unity makes us stronger,” Dr. Thompson emphasized, highlighting the festival’s mission to build a professional and vibrant film industry. He expressed gratitude to the Sierra Leonean community for their unwavering support and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to nurturing the entertainment sector.
Award recipients expressed heartfelt appreciation during the ceremony. Mrs. Bobson-Kamara dedicated her award to her husband, acknowledging his steadfast support. “Being recognized by Sierra Leoneans for my efforts means a lot. I present this award to my husband who used to be my backbone,” she said.
Jimmy B., a beloved figure in Sierra Leonean music and filmmaking, spoke of his humility and gratitude. “If one or two individuals in the industry make it, it’s not enough. We need more people to achieve success for the industry to truly prosper,” he remarked, calling for continued support of such initiatives.
As the night concluded, the collective enthusiasm underscored a shared commitment to advancing Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry. Organizers and participants alike vowed to continue working together to ensure the sector’s growth and long-term success.