The fourth edition of the popular radio show Behind the Scenes, held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, brought together key figures from Norway, Nigeria, and Liberia’s entertainment industries to discuss the state of filmmaking and movie promotion in Liberia.
By Claudius T. Greene, Jr., contributing writer
Hosted by DSTV Content Manager Mary Williams, alongside co-hosts Eddie Gibson and Gardea Menyon, the episode featured notable guests: Faleye Akinlolu, Director and Head of Operations at Prime Cinema Liberia; Bolaji Omigbire, Business Manager of Prime Cinema; Prof. Oystein Jensen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Stavanger, Norway; and Liberia’s Acting Arts and Culture Ambassador, Kekulah Kamarah.
Behind the Scenes aims to celebrate Liberia’s creative industries while fostering public engagement with local films and artists. The show integrates radio programming with print media and digital influencers, collaborating with outlets such as Women Voices Newspaper, Daily Observer, The News Newspaper, FrontPage Africa, and leading social media personalities to provide fresh perspectives on Liberia’s growing film industry.
Challenges in Movie Promotion
Prime Cinema Liberia’s Director, Faleye Akinlolu, underscored the need for long-term strategies to promote local films, arguing that a single movie premiere is not enough to sustain the industry.
“In Nigeria, a film stays in cinemas for one to two months, only leaving when audience interest wanes. If we implement a similar approach in Liberia, it will provide filmmakers with a more sustainable income and better audience reach,” Akinlolu explained.
He further recommended that premieres involve sponsors and key stakeholders before being opened to the general public, adding that Prime Cinema offers flexible deals to producers, particularly those with established reputations.
Mary Williams raised concerns about financial uncertainty discouraging investment in the sector. She questioned how filmmakers could be motivated to take risks when there are limited platforms for distributing their work.
In response, Akinlolu emphasized the importance of marketing.
“Filmmakers must ensure their movies resonate with local audiences. Promotion is key—rushing a premiere within a month without adequate publicity limits success. At Prime Cinema, we leverage our media platforms to help advertise upcoming films,” he noted.
The Role of Policy and Cultural Preservation
Liberia’s Acting Arts and Culture Ambassador, Kekulah Kamarah, traced his passion for arts and culture back to the 1970s and highlighted efforts to preserve Liberia’s artistic heritage. He recently spearheaded the launch of an annual cultural festival to honor Liberian artists and promote cultural preservation.
“We need policies to guide our arts and film industries. Nigeria and Ghana have succeeded because they enforce regulations that support their artists. Liberia must follow suit,” Kamarah asserted.
Prof. Oystein Jensen, a longtime advocate for cultural development in Liberia, expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to revitalize the Basao Cultural Center. He recalled an unsuccessful attempt in 2007 to secure funding for its reconstruction but noted a renewed political will to support the initiative.
“The Basao Cultural Center has great potential. With proper planning and collaboration, we can finally restore it as a cornerstone of Liberia’s artistic heritage,” Jensen remarked.
A Path Forward for Liberia’s Film Industry
As Behind the Scenes continues to spotlight Liberia’s creative industries, the discussions from this episode underscore the need for policy reforms, structured movie distribution, and greater investment in cultural institutions. With strategic planning and industry-wide collaboration, Liberia’s film industry can move toward a more sustainable and globally competitive future.
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