By Ibrahim S. Bangura
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — September 15, 2024 — The film The Scuffle made a remarkable impact at the Freetong Film Festival on Sunday, claiming seven prestigious awards during the event held at the Freetown City Council Hall. This annual festival, aimed at promoting Sierra Leone’s burgeoning film industry, attracted numerous filmmakers and stakeholders from across the region.
Produced by KID-AFAN Films and MEDM Production, The Scuffle emerged as the standout film of the night, winning in major categories including Best Feature Film, Best Producer, Best Director, Best Camera Person, Best Editor, and Best Actress. The festival was organized by Uniting Through Lens, a prominent organization dedicated to uniting and uplifting Sierra Leonean filmmakers.
Aiah Momoh, Director of Uniting Through Lens, praised the event’s attendees and encouraged the filmmaking community to see the festival as a growth platform. “Every filmmaker is a winner,” Momoh remarked. “For those who didn’t receive an award, let this be a source of motivation. There is no loser here; we are all winners. I thank you all for your relentless effort.”
The festival drew a diverse crowd, including many from the entertainment industry. According to organizers, all nominated films were reviewed by international filmmakers to ensure a fair and high standard of judgment.
The Scuffle’s cast and crew expressed gratitude for the recognition and called for more events like this to inspire and advance the local film industry. Dr. Isatu Kakay-Diallo, the film’s Executive Producer, expressed her joy in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for these blessings and the recognition from the judges of the Freetong Film Festival. This is a celebration of our collective effort through the lens of cinema.”
The success of The Scuffle marks a significant collaboration between Nigerian-Sierra Leone-based film producer John Afam, Daramy A. Kabba—President of the Sierra Leone Film Guild—and Dr. Kakay-Diallo, who is also a USA-based Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
The award-winning film is now available for streaming on Tubi at TubiTV.com.