Ghanaian-American actress, known for her appearance in Wakanda Forever, Aba Arthur, has challenged local filmmakers to focus on nurturing their own industry instead of looking abroad for inspiration.

Speaking at the tenth edition of the Black Star International Film Festival, she cautioned that while Ghanaian cinema has immense talent, many creatives spend more time praising Nollywood, Bollywood, or Hollywood, rather than building their own platforms and collaborations at home.

“We love Nollywood, we love Hollywood, but we are Ghana. We have to hold on to what makes us unique and boldly create our own lane,” she said.

Arthur also highlighted the importance of using platforms like BSIFF to showcase local talent, share knowledge, and foster collaboration. She encouraged filmmakers to take advantage of such opportunities rather than remaining on the sidelines.

“There is so much talent sitting at home. This festival is about using your natural abilities, sharing, and collaborating with fellow filmmakers. After this weekend, we must continue to speak to each other, pick up what we can from everyone else, and keep collaborating,” she added.

She stressed that admiration for international cinema should go hand in hand with intentional collaborations locally. By forming partnerships, exchanging skills, and supporting each other’s projects, filmmakers can strengthen the industry and create opportunities for Ghanaian stories to shine globally.

Arthur concluded by urging Ghanaian filmmakers to invest in their own stories, support local initiatives, and actively participate in platforms like BSIFF to build a sustainable and thriving industry.

“For us to succeed, we must celebrate our stories and take ownership of our platforms. Admiring others is meaningless if we neglect our own industry,” she urged.