People often seem surprised that Sierra Leone has an organisation such as ours, that is not the product of a government initiative nor the product of international intervention by an NGO, but rather, is a project that was conceived and developed in Sierra Leone, by Sierra Leoneans, with no outside or foreign funding.

This is our story...

History

In 2005, the Sierra Leone National Film Workshop was established as the first local non-profit organisation set up by Sierra Leone filmmakers and dedicated to supporting local filmmakers and their struggles to produce original films for national and international audiences.

Recognising that filmmaking needed a solid infrastructure - government and public recognition, training and professional development, finance, equipment, exhibition and distribution channels - the Workshop also began to highlight, campaign, then implement these structures and in many cases, this led to the creation of separate inhouse projects. These projects ranged from industry research and publishing to training courses to creating the first annual film festival in Sierra Leone - the Freetown Film Festival.

As the needs of the country's filmmakers grew, it became clear that they and the country would best be served if a new, high quality, organisation was created to take over and oversee the various projects and programmes already initiated by the Workshop and further expand upon them as required. This arrangement would then allow the Workshop to focus on its original brief of providing production training and support.

The new organisation could also focus on industry awareness-raising, fund-raising and encouraging positive co-productions and collaborations on a wider national, regional and international basis. It would also be able to concentrate on consolidating the long-term development, support and promotion of an integrated, sustainable Sierra Leone filmmaking industry (including commercial as well as non-commercial/art productions) to national and international audiences.

Establishing the Foundation

Following high-level consultations to officially allow the use of the words 'Sierra Leone' in our title, a dispensation was granted by the government of Sierra Leone for the incorporation of the 'Sierra Leone Film Foundation'.

The Foundation aims to work directly with filmmakers and other stake holders including government and civic agencies, non-profit organisations, corporate insitutions and companies, as well as industry professionals, academics and members of the public to develop Sierra Leone filmmaking as a viable and sustainable industry. It will be assisted in its activities through international branches. These will work together to provide a bridge and support network for the development and promotion of Sierra Leone film to national, Diaspora and global audiences, as well as building mutually beneficial relationships with key individuals and organisations.

Funding

The funding of the Foundation and the work of all its projects has been privately funded by the founder, through financial donations and a modest, permanent, financial endowment. The range of achievements accomplishd within such limited means has been due to the enormous generosity and kindness of the meany individuals who contribute work on a voluntary basis.

Furthermore, we have been able to forego the use of a permanent office for as long as possible, as our collaborative principles mean that requirements such as training, equipment and screenings are all carried out using the existing available resources in Sierra Leone. This has ensured that 100% of all our efforts has gone solely into tangible benefits for filmmakers and Sierra Leone, with none of the office costs and international travel and accommodation expenses usually associated with international NGOs at this level. Our aim is always to maximise benefits for all our beneficiaries.

What we are not

Having briefly said what we are, it is almost as important to acknowledge what we are not. As you can see from our intentionally modest and sober website:-

- We are not interested in the flashy, frivolous or superficial.

- We are not a sales, marketing or commercial portal.

- We are not political and are not biased towards any party or government.

Work with us

We couldn't do what we do without the support of others. The Sierra Leone Film Foundation warmly welcomes all feedback, suggestions and offers of support from all interested individuals and groups. Please feel free to contact us.