Movies must project women as strong and assertive – AWDF

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in Ghana has charged African movie makers to stop the constant practice of projecting women as weak and vulnerable.

“It is not right to turn on the TV and see women cry all the time. That is not what they do with the time and energy they have at their disposal. Women are strong characters and projecting that part of them should be encouraged,” AWDF’s Director of Programmes, Sarah Mukasa, said.

According to her, most African movies do not tell the full African woman story.

"Women are strong, women are assertive and of course women cry, just as men do. Don't tell just one side of the story, tell the full story."

The fund is supporting the Golden movie Awards scheme to celebrate an African woman who has demonstrated through her work measurable efforts to change the narrative and challenge stereotypes about African women.

The prize named African Women In Film Award mirrors AWDF’s commitment to raise the profile of African women, increase public support for women’s rights and social justice, and to facilitate platforms for African women’s views and achievements.

The awardee will receive a cash prize of GHS 5,000 cash, a plaque and the opportunity to participate as a resource person in an African Women in Film Seminar to be organised for industry players later this year.

The one-day seminar, according to the AWDF, is a capacity building programme that will bring together African women filmmakers, actresses, producers, writers and content creators to share expert advice and provide mentoring for females in the film industry.

Mukasa said “we partnered with GMA because we see them as an innovative, emerging team seeking to raise the barrier in terms of standards of excellence and production in the African movie industry. They are made up of young professionals eager to promote an agenda of authenticity and creativity in African visual storytelling.”

Announcing the nomination process, organisers of the Golden Movie Awards stated:

The nominee must be an African woman filmmaker, producer, writer, actress or content creator. The nominees must have demonstrated through their work measurable efforts to change negative narrative and stereotypes about African women (work produced over the last 5 years).

Nominations are open to the public. Nominations for this award close on June 3rd, 2015. Further details of the nomination process will be put online at www.awdf.org

To nominate a person for this award, go to http://goldenmovieawards.com