International documentary specialists such as acclaimed filmmakers Mads Brugger from
Denmark, the DRC’s Djo Tunda Wa Munga and Belgian Manu Riche will participate at the
2013 edition of the biennial People to People (P2P) International Documentary
Conference, which runs at The Wits Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, from 16 to
18 September.
First convened in 2007, P2P is a joint initiative of the Tri Continental Film Festival (TCFF)
and the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, conceived
with the shared vision of taking African documentary into the future. P2P’s administering
organisation is The Human Rights Media Trust, headed up by Rehad Desai.
Says Arya Lalloo, conference co-director along with Katarina Hedren: “We have a
fantastic line-up of speakers including the Nigerian / American transmedia starlet Aina
Abiodun, legendary producers Joslyn Barnes (US) and Jacques Bidou (FR), and global
decision makers Nick Fraser (BBC Storyville UK), Margje De Koning (Ikon, Netherlands),
Ingrid Falck (Al Jazeera Witness), Amy Richardson (Worldview UK) and Judy Kibinge
(Docubox East Africa).
“If previous editions of P2P are an indication, we predict around 300 people will attend
the 2013 edition over the course of the three-day conference.’
Among the African delegates expected to attend are Mark Kaigwa and Peter Mudamba
from Kenya, Femi Odugbemi from Nigeria, Rumbi Katedza from Zimbabwe and Pedro
Pimenta from Mozambique.
Included in the 12 panel discussions scheduled for P2P 2013 are sessions on freedom of
expression, and the meltdown of South African public broadcaster SABC. Other topics
are: Digital Cowboys: Speculators for Africa’s Internet Revolution; Co-Producing Africa:
Obstacles and Opportunities; and Eurodoc: Lessons learnt among others.
There will also be a day long workshop on digital storytelling called the P2P Storycode
“Paperhack’.
Lalloo continues: “We are very excited about this session. Led by P2P partner
StoryCode NY, an open-source, global community for emerging and established cross-
platform and immersive storytellers, the P2P Storycode Paperhack will offer a group of
pre-selected delegates the opportunity to design paper prototypes of cross-platform
projects under the guidance of StoryCode experts.
“The P2P StoryCode “Paperhack’ will offer a first step towards story “hacking’, designed
for aspirant transmedia creators. This workshop is ideal for filmmakers, artists and
media organisations with cross- platform content needs as content specialists learn to
tell stories across platforms, conceptualising and creating with the help of participating
technologists.’
As part of the partnership with TCFF, P2P will screen The Ambassador with Mads
Brugger in attendance, Snake Dance with Manu Riche in attendance, and The Act of
Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer.
Unfortunately, due to the serious obstacles faced in financing this edition of P2P, the
Good Pitch2 JHB – a unique forum spearheaded by The Channel 4 Britdoc Foundation
and The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Programme – had to be cancelled.
“However, we hope to host a’pitching forum with a difference’ at a future date,’
concludes Lalloo.
For more information about P2P log on to: www.people2people.co.za
