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Local
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ADDIS
ABABA(January 3,2006) - There has been a marked rise
in the number of people going to view local films in Addis Ababa to
the point where they have affected the number of foreign movie viewers.
The Daily Monitor has learnt that despite the number of local films
produced being much less compared to the Ethiopian population; the
figure has been encouragingly growing in recent years.
Manager of the Addis Ababa Cinema Houses Agency, Ato Lemma Regassa
told The Daily Monitor that one factor for the rise of viewers aside
the availability of local films, is that people are more interested
in movies which are presented in their native language. A majority
of English film viewers have turned their face to Amharic films.
Accordingly, Ato Lemma underscored that the number of English film
viewers in all cinemas namely Cinema Ethiopia, Cinema Ampere and Cinema
Ambassador, which was estimated about 1,606,105 in 2003/4 has declined
to 1,502,285 in 2004/5.
Meanwhile, Amharic film viewers progressively have grown from 34,100
in 2003/4 to 81,000 in 2004/5.
Regarding the increased figure of Amharic viewers, Lemma said: “The
increment of Amharic film viewers has had a significant effect on
English or foreign films.
Nevertheless, we are not bothered as we intend to encourage local
films which are presented for our people in their native language
and in a context that they can relate to.”
He also added since local films need to be encouraged the administration
has reserved Cinema Ampere, for example, for Amharic films and is
making efforts to upgrade cinema halls, and construct additional cinemas
in the long run.
The Addis Ababa City Administration Culture and Information Bureau
supports Lemma's statement.
It says the increase in Amharic film viewers is due to the ever-increasing
preference of the people to watch films in their native language.
Amharic film production in the country has shown a good trend in the
last two years.
Accordingly, Ato Kiros Hailemichael, Assistant Manager of Cultural
Division with the administration says there has been a reduction of
the tax imposed on entertainment tickets from 47% to 22% and in Addis
Ababa there are 23 film producer and 3 promoter organization engaged
in Amharic film production.
Since January 2003 about 25 Amharic films have been produced.
According to Kiros this is partly due to the increasing number of
film script writers and camera men.
Regarding to the private cinema, two cinemas namely Alem Cinema and
Agona Cinema have been licensed and given certification to operate.
In addition another new cinema called Hollywood is also finalizing
the necessary process that would enable it to secure the license and
certification.
According to Kiros there are 296 organizations in Addis Ababa which
are engaged in Theatrical work, film production, art galleries and
studios, which are given license and certifications.
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