The Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), Dr. Wale Okediran, has officially appointed Egyptian writer and cultural figure Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid as Egypt’s Country Representative within the newly established Film Africa Network (FAN).
The appointment comes as part of a strategic collaboration between PAWA and Driving Park, a Ghana-based creative production company, aimed at producing narrative-shifting feature films that spotlight African stories with global relevance.
The joint initiative, known as the Film Africa Network (FAN), seeks to expand access to authentic African-led storytelling by coordinating community and cinema screenings across approximately twenty African countries. The project will also organize audience engagement events designed to deepen public interaction with African cinema and foster cross-cultural dialogue.
Beyond film screenings, FAN aspires to lay the groundwork for a sustainable Pan-African film distribution ecosystem that strengthens and connects local film industries throughout the continent. By creating structured networks of circulation and collaboration, the initiative aims to enhance the global visibility of African narratives while empowering creative communities at the grassroots level.
In his capacity as Egypt’s Country Representative, Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid will contribute to coordinating national participation in the initiative, facilitating partnerships, and supporting the broader vision of building an interconnected African film landscape.
An online committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM GMT, where representatives from participating countries will convene to discuss implementation strategies and future steps for the network.
The appointment of Dr. Aboul-Yazid reflects PAWA’s commitment to engaging leading cultural figures across Africa in shaping a dynamic and collaborative cinematic future for the continent.
In addition to his new role within the Film Africa Network, Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid recently appeared in an in-depth dialogue on Nile Cultural Channel, where he spoke about the evolution of African cinema, the importance of reclaiming African narratives, and the need for stronger continental cooperation in film production and distribution.
During the televised discussion, he emphasized that African cinema is not merely an artistic expression but a cultural bridge capable of reshaping global perceptions of the continent. His participation in the program further reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing African cultural dialogue through both media and institutional initiatives.
