Sierra Leone Film Guild Moves to Reform Industry by Dissolving Film Council

In a bold step towards revitalizing Sierra Leone’s film industry, the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild (SL FILM Guild) has officially dissolved the Sierra Leone Film Council (SLFC), signaling a new direction for the nation’s cinematic landscape.

The announcement was made during a press briefing on Monday by the Guild’s Secretary-General, Iscandrie A. Sankoh.

Sankoh described the move as a “necessary step” to unify and professionalize the industry, which has faced ongoing challenges due to fragmented oversight and lack of clear regulatory frameworks.

Why the Dissolution?
“The Sierra Leone Film Council, established in 2014, has strayed from its original mandate,” Sankoh explained. “Instead of supporting the Guild’s efforts, it operated as a parallel entity, creating confusion, duplicating roles, and weakening industry cohesion.”

He pointed out that the Council failed to fulfill key promises, including the development of a National Film Policy, the enactment of the Film Industry Act, and the establishment of effective regulatory structures.

After extensive consultations across Sierra Leone’s six regions and with industry stakeholders—including producers, actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, and marketers—a consensus emerged: the Council was no longer serving the sector’s best interests.

While the dissolution marks the end of the SLFC, Sankoh emphasized that it paves the way for a more organized and sustainable industry.
“This is not about division; it’s about correction, alignment, and progress,” he said.

He outlined the Guild’s vision for the future, which includes: