Ghanaian filmmaker and award-winning director Jackson K. Bentum insists that Kumawood is not dead—it’s simply in need of a revival, one that hinges on the expansion of cinema infrastructure across the country.
While the industry appears to be struggling, Bentum believes its decline is largely misunderstood. Many assume Kumawood has collapsed because films are no longer sold on CDs. However, he argues that the industry has merely evolved, like its counterparts around the world.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz on Friday, July 4, 2025, Bentum, who is at the forefront of efforts to rejuvenate Kumawood, explained that the lack of cinemas in Ghana has prevented the film industry from making the leap to theatrical releases—a shift that film sectors like Hollywood and Bollywood have already embraced.
“Kumawood is not dead—it’s waiting for a comeback,” he said. “Major industries across the globe have transitioned from CDs to theatre screenings. Ghana stopped selling CDs too, but without cinemas, the public assumes our industry no longer exists.”
He stressed that more cinemas would reintroduce audiences to Ghanaian films and revive the excitement of the cinema experience.
Globally, cinema has faced setbacks. According to the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO), global ticket sales fell by 8.8% in 2024—the first decline since COVID-19 disrupted the industry in 2020. Despite this dip, there’s cautious optimism in Ghana. Data from Statista projects that Ghana’s cinema market will generate US$7.24 million in 2025, with steady growth reaching US$7.59 million by 2030.
Bentum, however, expressed concern that instead of focusing on solutions like infrastructure and production support, many stakeholders remain entangled in disputes over the ownership of the “Kumawood” name.
In his view, true revival lies not in branding debates, but in rebuilding the platforms that bring films to audiences—especially cinemas.