Independent film and television disribution company Cote Ouest Audiovisuel has
participated in all previous editions of DISCOP AFRICA.
Says the company’s senior vice president Mike Dearham: “We regard DISCOP AFRICA
as a critical forum to augment our understanding of the exciting changes and new
players involved in the sector. Although our primary focus is to sell content, our
acquisition emphasis will be strong and visible in terms of our engagement with
producers. As such, our sales and promotional thrust will target all buyers across all
media platforms.’
Cote Ouest secures exclusive distribution partnerships with leading global media
content companies seeking access to the African continent, such as Viacom
International Media Network, Disney, Sony and MGM.
“Ahead of DISCOP AFRICA we have enriched our catalogue with select content from all
of these partners, including titles like Real Husbands of Hollywood, Let’s Stay
Together, and Reed Between the Lines, from the Viacom stable.
“We will also present a fine selection of African content that deeply resonates with
African culture and tradition, but with particular emphasis on creativity and
innovation. To this end we have partnered with such talented producers as the
Kenyan-based production company called Spielworks. Their catalogue is a true axis of
excellence and includes work such as Lies That Bind, Higher Learning, Jane & Abel and
many more. The works of talented Ghanaian filmmaker Ken Attoh, who has produced
the Adams Apple collection of feature films, will also be showcased,’ he says.
At DISCOP AFRICA Cote Ouest will unveil what Dearham describes the very best
African Diaspora collection ever assembled. Examples include Spike Lee’s recent film,
Red Hook Summer and recent Sundance nominee, Blue Caprice (starring Isiah
Washington), among several others.
“We will also announce our new TV show project, Saburi,’ continues Dearham. “It’s a
dynamic, character-driven television series named after our sassy protagonist Saburi.
The series follows the conventions of a detective comedy genre where the heroine
uses her deductive ability, social skills, and prowess to solve problems and maintain
peace in the world of the story.
“Originally conceived by Cote Ouest and Dv8 Films, Saburi is not just a portal into a
world of comedy and detective work, but a prism into heroism, socio-cultural and
economic interpretations and contradictions. During the market we will present more
details of this TV show through a fast track presentation but also by organising key
events such as a cocktail function.’
He notes that when Cote Ouest initially launched its distribution operations in Africa,
its principal strategy involved the distribution of Hollywood content to African TV
buyers.
“The subsequent addition of the telenovela genre to our product portfolio sparked
tremendous success right from the outset. In more recent years, we have placed
increased emphasis on acquisition and development of African content, which now
represents the largest component of our catalogue. Our express goal is to pursue
aggressive strategies to identify, source and acquire the very best African content
available.
“In terms of content genres – we will be pursuing content genres emanating from the
African continent and Diaspora, such as cooking shows, talk shows, live music
concerts, travel and adventure, kiddies’ content, reality shows and religious
programmes. Of course the key focus will be drama series and African
telenovela.’
