Leila Djansi urges filmmakers to focus on audience, not fame
Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi has stated that Ghanaian filmmakers need to focus more on their audience, stay humble, and remember that storytelling is about service, not fame.
Her comments come after her colleague Shirley Frimpong-Manso expressed frustration in an interview on Hitz FM.
Shirley Frimpong Manso expressed disappointment about how Ghanaians seem more excited about American filmmaker Tyler Perry’s new movie ‘Straw’ than local movies.
Shirley’s comment sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing and others saying the comparison was unfair.
Speaking on this, Leila Djansi offered a different take; she reminded filmmakers that support doesn’t come overnight and used Tyler Perry as an example.
“Let’s get one thing straight. Tyler Perry did not wake up one morning to that level of support. I used to attend his plays in Georgia. That man built his audience from the ground up. He carried his entire community with him… He never served Hollywood. He served his audience,” she wrote on Facebook.
According to Leila, Tyler Perry’s success was not only because of talent or money but because he built trust and stayed true to his community.
She believes Ghanaian filmmakers can do the same if they focus more on the people, they are making films for.
She also pointed out that many creatives in Ghana work in cliques and often support only those in their inner circle. This, she said, makes it hard for the industry to grow as a whole.
“In Ghana, too many people operate in cliques. Gossip cliques. You only reward people in your circle… And when Ghanaians, ordinary people, buy your movies, you reward them by posting pictures of your Gucci purse,” she added.
Leila Djansi explained that in some black communities, people give their support only when they like you personally or feel emotionally connected to you.
“There’s this thing I learned about us black people. We use support as reward. We reward you with our support if we are happy with you,” she wrote.
She ended her post with a message to filmmakers and other creatives. According to her, the role of a storyteller is not to seek fame or praise but to serve and make a difference through their talent.
“Being a storyteller is about service. Not fame. That gift is God’s gift. Use it to serve his earth. It’s not about you!” she stated.
Also, watch an exclusive interview with Ayisi on the latest edition of Talkertainment below:
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