Ethiopia will participate for the first time at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in the African Pavilion, Official from Tourism Ethiopia announced.
Briefing journalists on Friday, Tourism Ethiopia CEO, Lensa Mekonen said the nation is ready to participate in the international film festival which will be held in France next week.
Six delegates representing Ethiopia have finalized preparations to partake in the Cannes film festival including model and actress, Gelila Bekele as well as Film producer Mehret Mandefro.
Upon returning from Cannes, Tourism Ethiopia will establish a local working group to study the potential of the film industry market as a site for international co-production beyond job creation, she pointed out.
The working group will also produce a case study report that lay out the business for targeting the film industry as a job creation sector, she indicated.
“We are excited to partner with local film professionals to explore and study the impact that formalizing the film market promotes job growth and bolster tourism activities.” the CEO added.
By participating in the such kind film festivals, the nation envisages earning foreign currency that can support the local economy as well as the growth of the film industry.
Yet jobs in the creative industries have often been overlooked as a viable and legitimate avenue for jobs and to support sustainable development in the country.
Cannes Film Festival will be held in France from May 14-25, 2019.
MG/as/APA