Funmi Onuma has been appointed as the General Manager of Silverbird Cinemas West Africa. The announcement, which reverberated through the entertainment industry, highlights Onuma’s unwavering commitment to the growth and transformation of cinema culture across the continent. As the first woman to lead a cinema chain in West Africa, Onuma is setting new precedents, bringing her strategic vision and depth of experience to an influential position that could reshape the African film landscape.
Before her new role, Onuma served as the Country Manager for Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, where she led the company to significant milestones. Under her leadership, Silverbird Cinemas Ghana (SBCG) broke records, becoming the highest-grossing cinema in West Africa during the blockbuster success of “Black Panther” in 2018, with a turnout that trailed only one other cinema in all of Africa. Onuma’s results-driven approach has made her an industry icon, with her impact felt far beyond cinema screens.
On Monday, November 4, the National Film Authority (NFA) extended their congratulations on Facebook, recognizing the importance of Onuma’s appointment. In their post, they highlighted her rise as an “inspirational accomplishment” and wished her success in her role. The public support from the NFA underscores the significance of Onuma’s new appointment as a pivotal step toward gender representation and leadership in the entertainment industry.
As an experienced lifestyle and entertainment business leader, Onuma’s influence in cinema has been profound. She has transformed viewer experiences and has been instrumental in popularizing international box office hits across Ghana. Her insights into the industry and her strong negotiation skills have positioned her as one of the most respected figures in African cinema, a fact recognized internationally by Celluloid Junkie, which listed her among the top 50 Women in Global Cinema in 2020.
Onuma’s unique background as a management consultant and her ability to lead in high-pressure environments have equipped her to navigate challenges that often hinder cinema’s growth in Africa. Her focus on maximizing local engagement and pushing forward with innovative cinema experiences has positioned Silverbird Cinemas as a household name throughout West Africa. With this new role, Onuma will bring these strategies to a broader scale, potentially impacting the entire cinema network in West Africa.
Onuma’s role is about more than numbers. She is a visionary leader with a mission to showcase African stories through the big screen, adding representation and cultural relevance to international and local film offerings. Onuma’s efforts symbolize a movement in African cinema where locally crafted narratives are brought to the forefront, offering audiences content that resonates with their lived experiences.
By becoming the first female to hold a top position in cinema management on the continent, Onuma is also redefining what leadership looks like in Africa’s entertainment industry. Her story has inspired many, showing that African women can thrive and lead in spaces that have historically been male-dominated. Onuma’s appointment marks a progressive shift for the industry, potentially encouraging more female leaders to pursue high-level roles within the film sector.
Industry experts view Onuma’s promotion as a signal of changing tides for African cinema, with the potential to boost local box office appeal while fostering a broader film culture that aligns with global standards. Her leadership could serve as a model for other entertainment and media sectors in Africa, where cinema is rapidly evolving but still facing infrastructure challenges and market constraints.
With her well-documented track record and her visionary approach, Funmi Onuma’s appointment represents a promising future for African cinema. As the African film industry anticipates her impact, audiences across West Africa are set to benefit from a refreshed and reinvigorated cinema experience led by one of the continent’s finest minds in film and entertainment.
