Some Film Producers Tried to Crush My Dreams – Yvonne Nelson

Ghanaian actress and film producer Yvonne Nelson has courageously shared some of the most significant hurdles she faced while navigating the film industry. The renowned actress revealed that her journey wasn’t without its obstacles, particularly due to the opposition she received from the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), which she claimed tried to sabotage her career.

In an exclusive interview on The Career Trail program, which aired on JoyNews and Joy Learning TV, Yvonne disclosed how her outspoken personality and eagerness to address issues in the industry led to a bitter conflict with FIPAG. She was banned by the association, which she attributes to her willingness to speak out against various challenges she encountered while working on film sets.

According to Yvonne, FIPAG’s decision to ban her came after an incident on set that caught the attention of the group. “I was banned by a group of men in the industry, who are part of FIPAG. Something happened on set, and they all came together to take action. When you’re a woman in the industry who is vocal, and when you’re not happy about how things are happening around you, people don’t appreciate that. They feel that because you’re new to the industry, you should remain quiet and not complain,” she recalled.

Yvonne believes that her forthright nature and refusal to remain silent were seen as threats by some powerful figures in the industry. “In their minds, they wanted to intimidate me, crush my dreams, and silence me. They saw me as a young girl in the industry and thought that they could teach me a lesson by putting me in my place,” she said.

Despite the ban, Yvonne didn’t let the actions of a few people derail her ambitions. Instead, she took matters into her own hands and created her own production company, YN Productions. She found the courage to pursue her vision, even when faced with discouragement from those around her. “I decided to do my own thing. I believed I could produce my own films. So, I registered a company and started producing movies,” she said.

One of the people who supported her decision to venture into production was Kelvin Kobiri, a man who believed in her potential. At the time, Kelvin was not yet involved in ministry. He became one of the key figures in funding Yvonne’s first few projects. “Kelvin Kobiri, who is now into ministry, believed in me. He supported me just like Abdul Salam did, helping to fund my first two or three movies,” she added.

Despite her determination and the support she received, Yvonne still faced resistance from people who were unhappy with her success. One of the most devastating moments in her career came when her first production was stolen during the editing process. Armed robbers broke into the editor’s studio and made off with all the drives containing the footage, leaving Yvonne and her team devastated. “My first production got stolen after editing. Armed robbers broke into the editor’s studio and took all the drives. We lost everything we had filmed. I truly believe it was sabotage. They saw me trying to do something after being banned, and they didn’t want me to succeed,” she explained.

Undeterred, Yvonne and her team reshot the entire production, incurring significant costs along the way. This episode of sabotage didn’t stop her, and she continued to forge ahead with her work. Over the years, Yvonne Nelson has successfully produced 14 films, with notable projects like Kotoka, Heels and Sneakers, and others in her portfolio. She also hinted that her next movie, Summer, is set to be released soon.

Reflecting on her long and challenging journey in the industry, Yvonne expressed her mixed feelings about the film world. “I’ve been through a lot as an actress and producer. I’ve witnessed both the good and the bad. The industry has been a place of great challenges, but also one of success. It can be toxic at times, and if you’re not strong enough, you might not make it,” she acknowledged.

In addition to her work in film, The Career Trail program recently aired an episode delving into Yvonne’s early life, with another episode focusing on her role as a school owner and author set to air this Saturday, April 5. The second part of this conversation will highlight her diverse accomplishments beyond film production. The episode will be broadcast at 4 p.m. on Joy Learning TV and 6 p.m. on Joy News. Fans of the actress are encouraged to tune in for this fascinating insight into her life and career.