Edinburgh Napier University

  The subject of this study is Sub-Sahara Africa Anglophone Video-moviemaking and the
research process is an empirical enquiry into how this contemporary cultural industry has
emerged in the region, bringing with it a paradigmatic shift in the concept of cinema on
the African continent. Within this context I look at the interventions that necessitate and
define this industry pioneered by Ghana and Nigeria. These interventions are historical,
economic, social and political.
To put this research into perspective I commence with the critical question: why is it
important to do a study on Sub-Sahara Anglophone video-moviemaking? It is an
important subject because this is the history that is barely constructed. It is a history that
follows traditional lines of filmmaking and yet distinctly differs from the traditional
concept of high culture celluloid filmmaking. It is an industry that is a significant part of
the economies of producing countries. The products of this industry also constitute a
major source of entertainment in Africa and among African immigrants in the West. Yet,
studies on African moviemaking practices have, until most recently, bypassed this
important industry. By undertaking this research I explore Sub-Sahara Africa videomoviemaking
in order to open discussion and critical review of this creative industry that
forms an important part of the economic and cultural systems in the region.
This thesis is a hybrid with two components – a text document and an audio-visual
documentary on a digital versatile disk (DVD). The presentation of these two
components reflects the expansion of dissemination platforms for study results. In
presenting these two different formats I have to reduce certain things from each side but I
do so in such a way that they work together. In that working together is an emerging
corporative that intervenes beyond academia.