Entertainment Reviewers In Kumasi Not Happy

Entertainment reviewers in the capital of Ashanti Region, Kumasi are not happy with the name given to the new movie awards scheme to honour movies made in Akan language to be held in Kumasi on December 2nd.

The name of awards according to the organizers is Kumawood Film Festival and Akoben Movie Awards but critics in the Ashanti region are not happy with the name.

Last two weeks during an entertainment review programme on Angel fm in Kumasi, almost all the panel members on the programme disagreed with the name arguing that when such a name is being used, it will make the assertion that Kumasi folks are known for only local movies valid.

According to information from our correspondent in the region, the argument really started when Flex newspaper first published a breaking news on the possible movie awards in the region. When people in the arts industry thought fans in Kumasi will welcome the news with cheerfulness, critics are rather down playing the event citing the name as the only problem.

Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa aka Afia Schwarzeneger happens to be the spokesperson of the event put together by a company based in the USA and some renowned movie producers in Kumasi. In a telephone conversation with her to verify situations in the region ever since the argument started, she had this to tell Flex newspaper.

“It`s quite unfortunate that some people are not trying to understand this simple situation of honouring movies made in Kumasi and in Akan language. Fact is that, whether they like it or not people have done that categorization already. It is in the minds of people that movies made in Akan language are Kumasi based whiles those in English are Accra based.

Though some few people are shooting movies in English, movies from Kumasi are Akan dominated. It is therefore not even surprising that some Accra based producers are now running to Kumasi to shoot their movies here. Why should we not be proud enough to take what belongs to us and make it ours forever. We are not restricted from having another movie awards in Ghana in any region so why the noise about the name. We even asked some of them to suggest another name if they think Kumawood Film Festival is not good but none was able to give any better name” she noted.

Meanwhile, it seems all is set for the grand launch for media people and the corporate world at the Miklin Hotel on 20th October at 11am. It is during the launching that issues concerning categories and nominations will be released. We at Flex newspaper have landed information that there will be some five honourary awards to be given out on the grand event. Are you wondering the artistes who will be performing on the day? Come to the launch and all other things will be added unto you.