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ADNews-Monrovia: The highly anticipated fifth episode of the hit radio series Behind the Scenes aired on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, on Hott FM 107.9, featuring a dynamic lineup of film industry professionals from Liberia and a powerhouse multimedia team from Sierra Leone, led by Daniel Moore of Africa Young Voices (AYV).
By Claudius T. Greene, Jr.
Hosted by DSTV Content Manager Mary Williams alongside co-hosts Eddie Gibson and Gardea Menyon, the episode sparked an engaging discussion on the evolving landscape of filmmaking and film promotion in Liberia. The hosts also built excitement for an upcoming industry event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 29, at the esteemed Prime Cinema in Mamba Point.
During the show, host Mary Williams introduced Daniel Moore, the Director of Commercial, Marketing, and Brands at AYV Global and Manager of the West Coast Cypher Battle. Moore spoke about his mission in Liberia, emphasizing AYV’s dedication to elevating entertainment across West Africa.
“I’m here to work with the Cypher team to ensure that we have the best of Liberia competing with the best of Gambia and Sierra Leone for the West Coast crown,” Moore said.
Williams steered the conversation toward Moore’s marketing expertise, asking about his strategies for branding AYV.
“Marketing is about securing funding for AYV, while branding is about protecting and promoting AYV’s image,” Moore explained. “We are giving youth a voice across the continent to express themselves. AYV has been around for over a decade now, and we have a newspaper, a radio station, and three television platforms: one dedicated to entertainment, another to current affairs and business, and a third focused on talent showcases.”
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. Winners from these competitions will represent Liberia in the competitive West Coast Battle.
In another segment of the show, Williams welcomed Julius Williams, Vice President of Administration for the Liberia Movie Union, who championed local filmmaking and emphasized the need for national support.
“People criticize our informal English, Kolokwa, in movies, but Nigerian films use their local dialects, and audiences love it,” he argued. “Why can’t we embrace our own?”
Williams stressed the importance of workshops to nurture filmmakers in Bong and Nimba counties, as well as the need for innovative marketing strategies to make Liberian productions more profitable.
“One of our biggest challenges is that marketers are accustomed to selling pirated foreign films for $2, but they won’t invest in distributing local movies properly,” he explained. “I’ve traveled across all the counties just to sell a single Liberian movie. So when people say Liberians don’t support Liberian projects, I disagree.”
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 on March 29. The gathering will serve as a platform for discussions on long-term strategies for promoting and distributing Liberian films.
With its unique blend of radio programming, print media, and digital outreach, Behind the Scenes has firmly established itself as a vital platform for celebrating Liberia’s creative industries. By bringing together key players in film, media, and entertainment, the show is fueling a movement to amplify local talent and reshape the country’s cinematic future.
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