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Film stakeholders across Sierra Leone have unanimously endorsed the Draft National Film Policy 2025 and agreed to move forward with establishing a new National Film Council, as outlined in the policy framework.
The consensus was reached during a major consultative meeting organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, which brought together representatives from the interim National Film Council, Elders Council, guilds, associations, and other key industry groups.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, emphasized the urgency of uniting the film sector, stating that the time for indecision and division had passed. “The ship is setting sail you either join, or you will be left behind,” he remarked, encouraging stakeholders to move forward collectively in implementing the new policy.
Key Governance Pillars
The Draft Policy introduces two major governance pillars for Sierra Leone’s film industry:
1. The National Film Council, which will serve as the unified representative body for the sector.
2. The National Film and Video Censorship Directorate, to be housed at the Independent Media Commission (IMC), responsible for classification, regulation, and compliance enforcement.
Minister Bah noted that the endorsed blueprint defines the structure, eligibility criteria, and representation guidelines for the new council, emphasizing transparency and inclusivity. He urged all parties to set aside past differences and work together toward a cohesive and professional film industry.
Deputy Minister Bockarie Bawoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the transition process remains fair, inclusive, and reflective of the collective will of the industry rather than individual interests.
Guild and association leaders expressed strong support for the initiative, welcoming what they described as a long-awaited opportunity to rebuild the sector on principles of professionalism and shared accountability.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Salami Carew of the Elders Council commended the collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the consultation and encouraged continued cooperation during the policy’s validation and implementation phases.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to accelerate the adoption of the Draft National Film Policy 2025 and to begin preparatory steps toward establishing both the National Film Council and the IMC’s Film and Video Censorship Directorate.
