Chembez Predicts Bright Future for African Cinema After Transformative AFRIFF Experience

Ghanaian filmmaker William Lamptey, widely known as Willie Chembez, is projecting a bold and promising future for African cinema after an inspiring experience at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Nigeria.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Metro TV’s Entertainment Review, Chembez described his time at the festival as “one of the most defining moments” of his career.

Chembez earned his seat at AFRIFF through his acclaimed film The Fisherman, a project that opened doors to a week-long immersion in high-level creativity, expert insights, and rich networking opportunities. Participating in a melting pot of talent across film, music, and production left him not only inspired, but also reinvigorated about the possibilities of African storytelling.

Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s top three movie-producing nations made the experience even more significant. According to Chembez, being surrounded by leading industry figures, including film and Afrobeats personalities, gave him a renewed sense of purpose. “The energy was powerful. You could feel how much Nigerians believe in their craft and how hard they work to push their creative sector,” he noted.

A key highlight for Chembez was witnessing the ongoing fusion of Nigeria’s booming Afrobeats scene with its film industry, a trend he believes will drive Africa’s next wave of global influence. Watching 3 Cold Dishes, executive produced by Burna Boy, strengthened his belief that deeper collaboration between musicians and filmmakers will reshape the continent’s cinematic future.

One of the most memorable moments of his AFRIFF journey was the Acting Masterclass, facilitated by the renowned Miss Bimbo Akintola. Despite missing the early submission deadline, Chembez stayed persistent and eventually secured a spot. Participants were tasked with studying and delivering a Shakespearean monologue within just 30 minutes, yet Chembez delivered the highest-scoring performance in the class. He described the experience as “a beautiful reminder that resilience and preparation always pay off.”

Reflecting on the festival, Chembez emphasized two major lessons: The power of meaningful connections, and The importance of discipline and intentionality, values he observed strongly in the Nigerian creative ecosystem.

He believes Ghana has immense potential to match this momentum, but it will require unity, focus, and collective effort. Fueled by the inspiration he gained, Chembez has already founded his own production company and envisions growing it into a major force contributing to the continent’s cinematic transformation.

As he builds toward that dream, Chembez is calling on Ghanaians to rally behind his upcoming projects. On 22nd November 2025, he will debut his stage play “Cyber Heist” at the National Theatre. A week later, on 29th November 2025, he will take “Akwaaba Vrs Obaak3” to Sunyani’s stage. He believes that with the right support and collaborative spirit, Ghana’s film and theatre industry can achieve remarkable growth.

Willie Chembez’s journey through film, television, and theatre continues to position him as a rising creative force. His credits include a strong role in the feature film The Fisherman (2024), the short film On February 14, the Queen of Akra trilogy, and a role in Ghana’s youth series YOLO (Season 5) under the name William Odartei Lamptey. His stage performances span acclaimed productions such as Accra We Dey, Ghana Must Go, Potholes, and the comedy Osofo’s Wahala.

With renewed focus and an unshakeable belief in African cinema’s future, Chembez stands as a testament to what passion, persistence, and purpose can achieve.

Credit: Nathaniel Quaye