Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi has publicly challenged the notion that posting a new film on YouTube every few weeks constitutes genuine filmmaking. In a Facebook post, she warned that the rapid release of content often reflects a focus on quantity rather than the craft of storytelling, development, financing, production, and adherence to international standards.
Djansi said that “releasing a film on YouTube every two months is not an achievement. I daresay it is NOT filmmaking. That’s content creation.” She argued that true filmmaking requires careful attention to elements such as mise‑en‑scène, narrative depth, and overall production quality, noting that major productions can cost millions and take years to complete.
Beyond production, the director called on Ghanaian audiences to take responsibility for discovering local films instead of relying solely on filmmakers’ promotion. She urged viewers to search online for works by their favourite actors and directors and to develop a deeper appreciation of cinema.
Djansi also challenged the dismissal of older films, arguing that a film unseen by a viewer is new to them, citing her experience teaching students films from 1972. She proposed establishing a central database or app where filmmakers could register releases, upload trailers, and direct audiences to legitimate viewing platforms, thereby preserving Ghanaian cinema for future generations.
In addition, Djansi urged her peers to look beyond the domestic market. She highlighted the international success of her own films—Like Cotton Twines, Where Children Play and And Then There Was You—as evidence that Ghanaian stories can resonate worldwide. She stressed that filmmakers should craft narratives that appeal across cultures and markets, rather than limiting ambitions to local viewers.
Djansi’s remarks come at a time when many Ghanaian creators are turning to YouTube for distribution. Her call for higher standards and greater audience engagement seeks to elevate the national film industry’s profile both at home and abroad.
