Selassie Ibrahim says Ghana’s film industry must keep up or fall behind

Veteran filmmaker and actress Selassie Ibrahim says Ghana’s film industry is undergoing a major transformation, insisting that practitioners must quickly adapt to the digital age or risk becoming obsolete.

She reflected on her long career and the rapid changes she has witnessed, from stage productions to television drama and, eventually, feature films in an interview on GHOne TV monitored by MyNewsGh.

“A lot has changed,” she said. “When we started, we did stage productions, then TV theatre, and later the big screen.

“Back then, it was easier because we sold CDs and posters were everywhere. Audiences could connect easily with the cast.”

She stressed that while digital platforms offer new opportunities, they also present challenges that many Ghanaian filmmakers are still struggling to navigate.

“Now it’s more digital, and that comes with its own difficulties,” she explained. “I blame TV stations sometimes, but we also have a greater part to play. We must learn to be abreast with time.”

According to Selassie, the industry can only remain competitive if practitioners embrace new technology, business models and global standards.

“It’s been a long journey,” she noted, adding that the passion of filmmakers, not profit, is what keeps the sector alive.