How a strong creative industry helps economies thrive | Mehret Mandefro

Summary

Dr. Mehret Mandefro, a filmmaker and doctor, shares her journey from HIV research to creating 'visual medicine' through films addressing social issues. Based in Ethiopia, she emphasizes the role of creative industries in economic growth and job creation, particularly for youth. Mandefro's work with Kana TV and the Ethiopian Jobs Creation Commission showcases how training in media can lead to employment and inspire a nation's cultural and democratic development.

Takeaways

• 🎥 Mehret Mandefro started making movies during her internal medicine residency, turning her HIV disparities research among Black women into a documentary.
• 🩺 She uses films and shows as 'visual medicine' to address large social barriers such as racism, gender inequities, and global health disparities.
• 🌍 Mandefro lives and works in Ethiopia, where she serves on the advisory council of the Ethiopian Government's Jobs Creation Commission, promoting the economic and democratic potential of creative industries.
• 📊 Despite Ethiopia's rapid economic growth, unemployment remains high, especially among youth and women. Mandefro believes the creative sector can be part of the solution.
• 🎬 Mandefro joined Kana TV as its first executive producer and director of social impact, training young creatives to produce original content in Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language.
• 📺 Shows like 'Inheritance' and 'Yegna' were not just hits; they created jobs and trained young professionals, showcasing how on-the-job training can address unemployment issues.
• 🎞️ The production of the film 'Sweetness in the Belly' in Ethiopia demonstrated how international projects can boost local talent and economic growth, with government support playing a crucial role.
• 👥 Mandefro's work led to the Ethiopia Creates initiative, which promotes the creative economy as part of the National Jobs Action Plan, enhancing job creation and economic development in the arts sector.
• 🇪🇹 Mandefro argues that supporting the creative sector is essential for Ethiopia’s economic and democratic growth, highlighting the importance of arts in promoting inclusive, democratic participation.
• 🖼️ Mandefro emphasizes that arts and culture are indispensable for any country’s development, urging governments to recognize the creative economy as a critical component of economic and democratic progress.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been making movies?

The speaker has been making movies for 15 years.

What was the initial motivation for the speaker to start making documentaries?

The speaker began making documentaries during her internal medicine residency while conducting HIV disparities research among Black women.

What does the speaker mean by 'visual medicine'?

The speaker refers to 'visual medicine' as a way of creating movies and shows that address significant social barriers with the hope of inspiring audiences to take action.

Where does the speaker primarily live and work?

The speaker primarily lives and works in Ethiopia, her birth country.

What is the Jobs Creation Commission and why is the speaker involved with it?

The Jobs Creation Commission is an advisory council of the Ethiopian Government focused on job creation. The speaker is involved because she believes that creative industries can promote economic growth and democratic ideals.

What is the unemployment rate in urban Ethiopia according to the 2018 data mentioned in the script?

The unemployment rate in urban Ethiopia in 2018 was around 19 percent.

What was the speaker's role at Kana TV?

The speaker was the first executive producer and director of social impact at Kana TV, responsible for producing premium original content in Amharic and training a scripted drama team.

What was the first scripted series created by Kana TV as a result of their training?

The first scripted series created by Kana TV was called 'Inheritance,' featuring a powerful family at its center.

How did the speaker's involvement with the feature film 'Sweetness in the Belly' benefit her TV crews?

The speaker's involvement with 'Sweetness in the Belly' allowed her TV crews to gain experience working alongside a world-class film crew, enhancing their skills and career prospects.

What is 'Ethiopia Creates' and how does it relate to the creative economy?

Ethiopia Creates is an initiative that organizes creative industry entrepreneurs to help the sector thrive. It aims to incorporate the creative economy into the National Jobs Action Plan as a high-potential services industry.

What role does the creative economy play in Ethiopia's economic and democratic growth according to the speaker?

The speaker believes the creative economy is essential for Ethiopia's economic and democratic growth, as it can create jobs, promote cultural expression, and foster an inclusive society.