The Ethiopian government made significant progress in 2017, when it approved and released an outline for a comprehensive national Film Policy and Strategy to give policy guidance to the emerging film industry and fasten its growth.The Policy and Strategy document represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to cultivate a thriving film industry. Hailed as the government’s most comprehensive articulation to date, it commendably identifies a broad spectrum of challenges and proposes numerous potential solutions, signaling a clear intent to foster growth within the sector. However, a closer examination reveals that while aspirational and wide-ranging, the policy grapples with inherent limitations that have, so far, hindered its tangible impact. In this article I explore this Film Policy’s Aspirations, Gaps, and the Path Forward
The Policy’s Ambitious Scope and Underlying Shortcomings
The policy’s strength lies in its expansive vision, touching upon critical areas such as human resource development, infrastructure enhancement, operational streamlining, intellectual property protection, production and distribution growth, market expansion, and the provision of support and incentives. It explicitly acknowledges existing deficiencies, including limitations in human capacity, essential infrastructure, equipment shortages, capital constraints, and the previous absence of a guiding national policy. This candid assessment forms a crucial foundation for targeted interventions.
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Furthermore, the document strongly emphasizes cultural preservation and national identity. It aims to protect Ethiopian identity, promote national pride, and leverage film to showcase the country’s rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage. The policy also prioritizes education and training, outlining strategies to develop skilled professionals through curriculum development, short and long-term training, and international collaborations.
Economically, it clearly envisions the film industry as a significant generator of income and employment, contributing to national development. Socially, the policy aspires for film to play a vital role in fostering national consensus, democratic culture, peace, unity, and a culture of tolerance. The inclusion of legal protection for creative, copy, and related rights is also a commendable step towards a fair creative environment.
Despite these strengths, the policy’s implementation has faced significant hurdles. Critics argue that its format, a lengthy outline replete with bullet points, often feels more like a “shotgun” approach than a precise “rifle,” scattering numerous small ideas without delving deep into the practicalities of execution. This leaves crucial details to be worked out at an unspecified later stage, contributing to a sense of unfulfilled promises.
Many experts have pointed to a substantial gap between the policy’s ambitious goals and the realities faced by Ethiopian film professionals, leading to a situation where nearly all the policy’s commitments remain “unfulfilled, not even visibly in progress.” This raises concerns that based on historical patterns; much of the policy could remain mere rhetoric. Here below a critical analysis of the policy, highlighting its weakness and potential areas for improvement:
Paternalism and Censorship Concerns
A notable critique of the policy is its discernible paternalistic tone. It asserts conservative social values, aiming to “protecting the people—especially youth—from film content it opposes”. This is further reinforced by statements about mechanisms to support films that protect national security and strengthen societal morality. Concerns regarding “cultural invasion” and controversial subject matter, while potentially resonating with some segments of the public, may also be perceived as underestimating the audience’s critical intelligence and individual preferences. More significantly, such provisions could be interpreted as a justification for government intervention and censorship, potentially limiting political speech and prioritizing state self-interests over the broader interests of the industry and the nation.
Key Areas for Policy Refinement
For the Ethiopian Film Policy to move beyond an aspirational document to a truly transformative force, several areas require in-depth attention and concrete development:
Vagueness in “How-To”: The policy’s implementation strategies frequently use broad terms such as “Appropriate support will be provided” or “Mechanisms will be created”. To translate these intentions into action, specific examples, pilot programs, and initial frameworks for these mechanisms are essential.
Detailed Funding Mechanisms: While sources of finance are identified—government budgetary allocation, loans, donations, a future Film Trust Fund, and public contributions —the policy lacks specific details on the allocation process, mechanisms for accessing these funds, and the projected scale of investment. A robust and transparent financial plan is crucial for sustainable development.
Clear Measurement and Evaluation Frameworks: The policy mentions “Monitoring and Evaluation” with a commitment to “clearly spelt out criteria and success indicators”. However, the document itself does not specify what these criteria and indicators will be. Defining these upfront is vital for effective progress tracking and accountability.
Defined Timeline and Milestones: The absence of a clear timeline or specific milestones for achieving its various objectives makes it challenging to assess progress and hold stakeholders accountable for their commitments.
Robust Anti-Piracy and Copyright Enforcement: While intellectual property rights are addressed and measures against illegal reproduction are promised, the practical enforcement mechanisms to combat rampant piracy, a significant challenge in many developing film industries, require more explicit detail. This includes specific legal tools, technological solutions, and collaborative enforcement strategies.
Strategies for International Competitiveness: The ambitious vision of becoming a “capable and strong competitor at the continental and international level” needs more defined strategies. Beyond linkages with international institutions and participation in events, specific incentives for global market penetration, fostering co-productions with international partners, and attracting substantial foreign direct investment for more than just shooting locations should be explored.
Niche Market Development Support: The policy’s commendable intention to support “commercially non-viable community films, low budget films, experimental films, documentary films” could be strengthened by outlining explicit strategies for these films to find their audiences, secure distribution, and contribute to the overall film ecosystem.
Proactive Digital Transformation: While digital distribution is mentioned, the policy could further emphasize comprehensive strategies for embracing emerging digital technologies across the entire film value chain, including advanced production techniques, post-production innovations, and leveraging new distribution platforms like streaming services to maximize reach and revenue.
Enhanced Gender and Broader Inclusivity: While the policy touches upon catering to the needs of the disabled and respecting diversity, a more explicit and proactive focus on promoting gender equality and broader representation within the industry—including female directors, producers, and crew members—would enhance its inclusive vision.
Expanded Research and Development Strategy: Beyond research for human resource capacity building, a broader strategy for research and development encompassing film technology, evolving market trends, audience preferences, and innovative storytelling approaches could significantly bolster the industry’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
Conclusion
The Ethiopian Film Policy and Strategy lays a foundational conceptual framework for an aspiring film industry. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive scope and its clear articulation of the potential social, cultural, and economic benefits of film. However, its ultimate effectiveness hinges on the meticulous development of more granular, actionable implementation plans, robust and transparent funding mechanisms, and clearly defined, measurable metrics for success. Without these crucial elements, the policy risks remaining largely an aspirational document rather than a catalyst for genuine transformation.
Yirgashewa Teshome is thedirector of the Ethiopian International Film Festival. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent that of the magazine. The writer can be reached at [email protected].
