Monrovia – The highly anticipated fifth episode of the hit radio series Behind the Scenes aired on Wednesday on Hott FM 107.9, featuring top Liberian film professionals alongside a powerhouse multimedia team from Sierra Leone, led by Daniel Moore of Africa Young Voices (AYV).
By Claudius T. Greene, Jr., contributing writer
Hosted by DSTV Content Manager Mary Williams, with co-hosts Eddie Gibson and Gardea Menyon, the episode delivered an insightful discussion on Liberia’s evolving film industry and built excitement for a major industry event set for Saturday, March 29, at Prime Cinema.
AYV’s Mission in Liberia
Mary Williams introduced Daniel Moore, Director of Commercial, Marketing, and Brands at AYV Global and Manager of the West Coast Cypher Battle, who shared AYV’s commitment to elevating entertainment across West Africa.
“I’m here to work with the Cypher team to ensure that Liberia’s best talents compete against top contenders from Gambia and Sierra Leone for the West Coast crown,” Moore stated.
When asked about AYV’s branding and marketing approach, he explained:
“Marketing is me looking for money for AYV. Branding is me protecting and promoting the AYV image. We are giving youth a voice across the continent to express themselves. AYV, now over a decade old, operates a newspaper, a radio station, and three television platforms: one for entertainment, another for current affairs and business, and a third showcasing talent.”
Moore also highlighted AYV’s long-standing partnerships with Liberian entertainment events, including the National Dance Championship, LIB Rap Battle, and the Inter-College Beauty Pageant, whose winners will represent Liberia in the West Coast Battle.
Liberia’s Film Industry Needs National Support
In another segment, Mary Williams welcomed Julius Williams, Vice President of Administration for the Liberia Movie Union, who passionately advocated for greater national support for local filmmakers.
“People criticize our use of Kolokwa in movies, but Nigerian films use their local dialects, and audiences love them. Why can’t we embrace our own?” Williams questioned.
He stressed the importance of filmmaking workshops in Bong and Nimba Counties and called for innovative marketing strategies to increase the profitability of Liberian films.
“One of our biggest challenges is distribution. Marketers are used to selling pirated foreign films for $2 but won’t invest in properly distributing local movies. I’ve traveled across all counties just to sell a single Liberian movie. So when people say Liberians don’t support their own, I strongly disagree.”
A Call to Action for Film Enthusiasts
As Behind the Scenes continues to bridge the gap between filmmakers and audiences, industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend the upcoming event at Prime Cinema, Mamba Point, on March 29. The event will facilitate discussions on long-term strategies for film promotion and distribution in Liberia.
With its blend of radio programming, print media, and digital outreach, Behind the Scenes has established itself as a key platform for celebrating and advancing Liberia’s creative industries. By uniting key players in film, media, and entertainment, the show is fueling a movement to amplify local talent and reshape Liberia’s cinematic future.
