Leila Djansi Says Global Platforms Key for African Stories

Filmmaker and writer Leila Djansi says global film platforms remain essential for bringing African stories to international audiences and reshaping how the continent is perceived worldwide. Her remarks come as the global film industry prepares for the upcoming Academy Awards, where conversations about representation and storytelling continue to gain attention.

Djansi recalled her role in helping establish Ghana’s Oscar selection committee, a body responsible for submitting Ghanaian films for consideration in the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category. The initiative aimed to create a formal pathway for Ghanaian cinema to gain global visibility.

According to Djansi, storytelling plays a major role in shaping global perceptions of Africa.

In 2018, the committee submitted “Azali,” directed by Kwabena Gyansah, as Ghana’s entry for the Oscars. The film later gained wider attention and is currently available on Netflix, helping highlight Ghana’s growing film industry to international audiences.

Djansi noted that stories about Africa reaching global audiences have historically focused heavily on war, poverty, and disease. While acknowledging that such realities exist, she argued they represent only a limited part of the continent’s experiences.

She said African cinema should also showcase themes such as family, imagination, ambition, humour, and cultural complexity, offering a more balanced portrayal of life across the continent.

Beyond filmmaking, Djansi has supported the next generation of African storytellers. She participated in a Netflix and UNESCO initiative aimed at reimagining African folktales for global audiences, mentoring emerging filmmakers involved in the project.

Djansi explained that creating a recognised Oscar submission process allowed Ghanaian filmmakers to compete on one of the world’s most visible cinematic stages. For her, the goal was never simply winning awards but increasing visibility for African stories.