Panaf will primarily focus on the music and film sector with the intent to gradually involve artists, performers, journalists, writers, cultural workers and activists, as well as officials. It aims to establish a Pan-African network of creatives to strengthen collaborations at national, regional and continental levels, as well as to develop a digital platform for knowledge exchange and new initiatives.
Selam’s founder and CEO Teshome Wondimu shares Panaf’s vision: “In most African countries, there is a great need to strengthen cultural actors and reinforcing artistic freedom is an integral part of that. We want to show solidarity with individual actors and break the isolation that many experience.
“Through the networks that will be created, cultural actors will get to support each other on issues such as legal support, opinion formation on specific issues and around processes related to dialogues with decision-makers.”
Wondimu concluded: “We want to create tools and better conditions for the creatives as well as to form hubs of support and alliances, and strengthen the sector in general. Selam and our partners are thrilled and grateful for the good dialogue, trust and support we continue to receive from the Swedish Arts Council. Through this new project, we take another step forward, building on an already established successful working relationship with our partners.”
