The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana-Russia Center for Commerce and Relations, Mr. John Aggrey has made a passionate call for both local and global collaboration to enhance the Creative Arts and Cinema Industry.
He was speaking during the 10th edition of the St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, held from September 11 to 14, 2024, the forum dubbed, “Culture of the XXI century: sovereignty or globalism?” set the stage for an insightful discussion on bridging cultural divides through cinema.
Mr. Aggrey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana-Russia Center for Commerce and Relations, addressed the high-level Cinema session titled “Global Local Glocal,” emphasizing the need for integrating local narratives with global distribution.
“By embracing the concepts of local to global distribution, unification, and cultural diversity, the cinema industry can tap into a wealth of untold stories and perspectives,” he stated.
He highlighted the potential of cinema to transcend cultural boundaries and become a global asset by expanding its horizons into multi-lingual and cultural narratives.
The session featured distinguished global industry experts, including Svetlana Balanova of National Media Group JSC and Fyodor Bondarchuk of Lenfilm Studio JSC, among others.
Moderated by Ivan Kudryavtsev, the discussion focused on the potential for cross-cultural collaboration to enrich global cinema.
Mr. Aggrey extended a collaborative hand to the global cinema community, asserting Ghana’s commitment to fostering high-quality productions that cater to both local and international markets.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Aggrey reiterated Ghana’s eagerness to partner with global stakeholders and the Russian cinema industry to enhance its presence on the world stage.
He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to promote and facilitate quality productions that resonate with diverse audiences globally.
Madam Ziona Ayorkor Biney, Head of Business Development and Innovations at the Ghana-Russia Center, also spoke at the forum, highlighting the critical role of women in cinema.
“The ongoing dialogue and push for greater diversity promise a more inclusive and sustainable future for cinema,” she said.
Madam Ziona emphasized that inclusive representation across all stages of cinema production and distribution can reach broader markets and attract audiences seeking authentic representation.
About the Forum
United Cultures is a forum that assembles representatives of many diverse cultures and nationalities. Amid a new, rapidly changing world, this event is going to become a place to talk over the most pressing social and cultural issues, as well as a platform where new ideas and projects are brought into life.
The Forum was organized under the auspices of The Government of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Culture Russian Federation and the Government of St. Petersburg.
