British-Chinese filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung, best known for Redcon-1 and Bodyguard, has commended Ghanaian and African cinema for its depth of talent and powerful storytelling.
Cheung believes African stories can compete on the world stage if given the right platforms. Speaking at the 10th Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) in Accra, he underscored the role of education, mentorship, and collaboration in helping African filmmakers reach international audiences.
“Cinema is a powerful medium that brings people together. The more we share knowledge, the more opportunities are created. Education and collaboration are vital for African stories to flourish globally,” he stated.
He noted, however, that a major challenge for African filmmakers is the lack of structured industry education, particularly in production, distribution, and exhibition.
“There is often a global disconnect across production, distribution, and exhibition. Creatives sometimes work in isolation. Greater collaboration and understanding are crucial,” he explained.
Cheung emphasized the importance of developing narratives that resonate beyond borders:
“It’s about identifying the right stories—ones that can travel and connect with audiences worldwide—while remaining authentic to our culture,” he said.
His latest film, Son of the Soil (2025), which premiered at BSIFF, reflects his commitment to amplifying African narratives. The project, directed by Cheung in collaboration with Nigerian-British filmmaker Razaaq Adoti, reaffirmed his belief in Africa’s cinematic potential.
He praised the continent’s creativity, talent, and cultural richness, noting that these qualities uniquely position African cinema to make a global impact. Cheung also expressed strong interest in working with Ghanaian creatives.
“One of the reasons I came to the festival was to explore opportunities in Ghana. We are very keen to develop films, discover new talent, and collaborate with local storytellers,” he revealed.
Cheung concluded by highlighting the value of film festivals like BSIFF in creating platforms for networking, building relationships, and fostering collaborations that ensure African stories find their place on the global stage.