Tom Ribeiro (born 1935) is a Ghanaian writer and director. He wrote and directed several Ghanaian movies made in the post-colonial era, mainly under the production rights of the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC), which was set up by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. These movies included Genesis Chapter X (1977), Dede (1992), Set on Edge (1999) The Visitor (1983), Out of Sight, Out of Love (1983), Rituals of Fire and The Village Court.[1][2]

Tom Ribeiro
Born1935 (age 88–89)
NationalityGhanaian
EducationCity University of New York
Occupations
  • Filmmaker
  • Producer
  • Director
  • Editor
Notable workDede (1992)

Career edit

Ribeiro was a student at the City University of New York, New York City. He went on to serve in various roles and capacities as an assistant and a director on different pieces of works. These ranged from advertisements, documentaries, features, and educational works of art.[3]

Of his works on record, Genesis Chapter X (1977), is known to have starred George Williams.[4][5] Dede (1992) starred David Dontoh and Mavis Odonkor and was the first video produced by the GFIC.[6][7] 'Set on Edge' (1999) was also produced by the GFIC but was not released as members on the Censorship Board, and the police representative during that time, expressed that the production would tarnish the reputation of the police in the sight of the public (Meyer, 2015).[8]

Ribeiro was one of the pioneers of the Ghana film industry, the then Gold Coast. Other persons credited for the birthing of the industry are Reverend Chris Hesse, Frank Parks, Sam Aryeetey and Seth Ashong Katai.[9][10]

Awards edit

In 2015, the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) at an awards night, honored Tom Ribeiro and twenty-nine (29) other filmmakers for their important contributions to the Ghanaian film industry. The others include Ivan Quashigah, George Arcton-Tettey, Samuel Nai, Veronica Quarshie-Nai, Socrate Safo, Roger Quartey, Alex Bannerman, Kishore Nankani, Alhaji Mumuni, B. M. Imoro, Steve Hackman, Hammond Mensah, Allen Gyimah, Billy Agbotsi, Mark Coleman, Imoro Yaro, Seth Ashong Katai and William Akuffo, Nana King, Richard Quartey, Mohammed Gado, Bob Smith, Kwesi Enchill, Samuel Nyamekye, Akwasi Badu, Alex Boateng, Augustine Abbey, and Hajia Meizongo.[11]

Filmography edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Where art thou Ghana? As thousands of African films are being restored". Graphic Online. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  2. ^ Armes, Roy (2008). Dictionary of African Filmmakers. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-35116-6.
  3. ^ Armes, Roy (2008). Dictionary of African Filmmakers. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-35116-6.
  4. ^ "When fundamentals of creative industry are weak, criticism will expose you". www.ghanaweb.com. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  5. ^ Genesis Chapter X (1977) – IMDb, retrieved 15 October 2020
  6. ^ Nanabigne, V. (2001). Cinema in Ghana. History, Ideology and Popular Culture. PhD thesis. Bergen: University of Bergen.
  7. ^ "Who Killed The Ghana Film Industry?". MyJoyOnline.com. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  8. ^ Meyer, Birgit (16 October 2015). Sensational Movies: Video, Vision, and Christianity in Ghana. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-28767-9.
  9. ^ "Who Killed The Ghana Film Industry?". MyJoyOnline.com. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Ghana Film Industry Lays On The Slaughter Bed". News Ghana. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  11. ^ "30 Filmmakers honoured by NAFTI". Graphic Online. Retrieved 15 October 2020.