New York Forum for Africa
U.S. actor Robert De Niro, invited to the New York Forum Africa in Libreville, a conference bringing together key figures about development in Africa, said Saturday, June 9 that he believes in a film industry in Africa.
"It's possible" to create a film industry in Africa, said De Niro, guest star of the forum during a conference.
"The first thing, (it must be) a stable government. People need to know that this will continue (...) We must have enough money to hire the right people for the construction of studios, technicians, and creative minds should bring out stories, "he advised.
"Then you have to create the material, the stories. Famous stories of the region that are classics, stories constructed so as to attract other countries, the continent, the world," he said.
"You have to give bonuses to people who come as those who come to work in the oil. It's an investment," he said.
"The money must be there," he insisted referring to the French model where there are advances on revenue and grants: "As in France, the state encourages some things. If this happens then you have people who can work, support themselves and create. It's that simple. And slowly, you have a film industry and you start to draw (...) But that does not happen overnight. "
Asked about the low number of visits of U.S. President for Africa, the actor said, "I think Obama is doing its best. He did a good job. It's hard to be president and everyone can criticize. I know one thing about Obama: it's a good person and he tries to do the right thing. he is not a calculator. "
De Niro also claimed the actor George Clooney, very active on the issue of southern Sudan and Darfur: "He speaks often. He drew attention. It's not for him, he uses his celebrity to draw attention to the problem in Sudan. "
"The New York Forum AFRICA recognizes the new drive and the role that the African continent is giving to the new impetus to global economic growth; A spirit of optimism about Africa so that sustained economic growth, stronger effective leadership, and a generation of emerging talents combine to create a multitude of opportunities, "said the Founder of the New York Forum, Richard Attias.
Invited to the National Conference of Black mayors (NCBM) last May 31st , in Atlanta, Richard
Attias initiator of the Davos Forum, delivered a passionate speech on growth in Africa and the importance for America to invest in the economic potential to support the African continent's economic takeoff. The National Conference of Mayors is composed of a group of African descent elected in 650 U.S. cities. In particular, it aims to allow the U.S. to build ties with the countries where these elected have their roots.
More than 600 investors, policy makers, private sector leaders and economic experts of the world were meeting in Libreville, Gabon from 8 to 10 June 2012 on the occasion of the first edition of The New York Forum AFRICA
June 11, the Dialogue for Action Africa, organized by the Cecilia Attias Foundation for Women, urged the 400 global experts to develop sustainable solutions to social and economic for African women. Seven First Ladies came from African nations attended the event.
