Los Angeles and Johannesburg-based trade event organiser Basic Lead has announced a sold out floor plan for its upcoming 10th edition of DISCOP Africa. The event, which takes place from 2 to 4 June 2015 at the Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, marks DISCOP Africa’s return to two annual editions, designed to meet the increased demand from Africa’s rapidly growing television content industry.
More than 40 international film, TV programme and adaptation rights distributors and packaged TV channels have signed up and are already coordinating meetings with the 150+ regional buyers expected to attend the three-day market.
Patrick Zuchowicki, Basic Lead’s CEO said, “At the eve of Africa’s digital switchover deadline, our return to two annual editions of DISCOP Africa not only mirrors the increasing role of Africa in the global content sales business, but also the rapidly increasing importance of regional trade and partnerships for Africa’s booming television sector.’
Organised under the patronage of Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Communications, DISCOP Africa’s 10th edition will honour South Africa as its guest country, and welcome a delegation of public and private sector representatives seeking to form co-production and industrial partnerships with Cote d’Ivoire’s booming television sector.
Madame Affoussiata Bamba-Lamine at the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, commented, “As more key international players recognise the importance of Africa and its strong potential in the global content distribution industry, we are delighted to play an integral role in welcoming one of DISCOP Africa’s two annual editions to the heart of Francophone Africa, furthering the growth of this important region.”
Running parallel to the market, the ‘Follow the Stars of DISCOP Africa’ keynote series will bring together eight of Africa’s innovative, forward-thinking and influential key players who will take an in-depth look at the future of television.
The DISCOPRO Academy, a hands-on training program aimed at independent content producers, will also be part of the three-day agenda, alongside one day dedicated to the relationship between television and cinema in Francophone Africa, which will be co-organised with UniFrance, France’s feature films’ export arm.
