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SA Writers Guild calls for applications to attend global digital content marketplace

Carly Barnes
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Writers Guild South Africa (WGSA) is calling on members and performance writers to attend the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), an international content creation and sales market which takes place from 20 to 22 January 2015 in Miami. The initiative is part of the WGSA’s application to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Group Export Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS), which offers emerging content writers assistance in promoting their projects at top international events.

NATPE is an evolved market which strives to meet the demands of an increasingly digital media industry. Offering attendee access to content before other leading industry events, it is able to give leaders a head-start on monetizing their projects.
All events, workshops, displays and awards are focused on the content value chain and cater to professionals in the business of buying, selling, developing, financing, advertising, marketing or licensing content as well as those who implement technology, exploit rights, or leverage media assets.

Though there is no guarantee that the DTI will approve the group application, the scheme entails that the DTI pay suppliers for flights, transfers and accommodation, including breakfast and dinner, up-front. Costs for the group’s stand at the market, the printing of brochures and the freighting of promotional materials would also be covered. Though mainly geared at emerging writers, the group scheme does allow for a small group of experienced writers as well, but preference will be given to previously disadvantaged applicants, particularly those who have never attended an international film and script market before.

The closing date for electronic applications has been extended to Monday 23 June 2014 at 12h00.

Visit the SASFED website for a full list of rules, application requirements and additional information.

CNN International appoints new regional sales vice president

Carly Barnes
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CNN International has appointed Antonio Canto to build on the channel’s commercial success in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States as the vice president of regional sales.

Canto, who was previously at Viacom International Media Networks, will use his expertise in developing business strategies and delivering brand solutions to lead a number of advertising sales teams in these regions.

“I am excited to join the CNN International Commercial team and very much look forward to working with our clients to further grow their strategic partnerships with CNN International and break new grounds in creating new successful brand engagement solutions,’ said Antonio Canto, VP, Regional Sales. “I have always admired the innovation and impact CNN has globally on people’s lives and hope I can help contribute to the company’s continued success and growth. The international marketplace is constantly changing and I believe CNN is a strong brand which firmly adds value and prestige, as well as commanding the attention of key business people and opinion makers.”

Rani R. Raad, Chief Commercial Officer at CNN, has been rearranging CNN’s international commercial business units since appointed in February 2013, when all of CNN’s international commercial activity, including advertising, content sales, affiliate, out of home, business development, marketing and research, was combined to form a single operation.

Raad commented, “Antonio’s wealth of experience will be a huge asset to CNN as we look to continue exponential growth across these key markets. His expertise in business strategy, revenue growth and developing strategic relationships will help build on the successful commercial operations that CNN has already fostered in these regions. I’m delighted to welcome Antonio to my executive team as CNN continues to offer greater bespoke propositions for advertisers to connect and engage with our global audience across multiple platforms.’

DStv Turner kids’ portfolio is number one in SA

Carly Barnes
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Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), a US media conglomerate which provides DStv with its’ Cartoon Network (channel 301) and Boomerang (channel 302) channels, has been rated as the number one children’s multiplex in South Africa.

The TBS offering has seen a rating increase of over 10% among kids, from ages four to 14, who have DStv in their homes. The portfolio holds a 9.1% viewing share in South Africa with Cartoon Network being the number one children’s channel for this age group and Boomerang being number two. Boomerang holds the top position within its central target audience, which is children aged from four to nine.

By the end of 2014 Cartoon Network would have launched two new shows and 163 hours of new content. Shows which appear to be in the pipeline are: Warner Brothers’ Teen Titans Go!, DreamWorks Dragons Defenders of Berk and the Incredible Crew series.

Boomerang will present 107 hours of new content including Steven Spielberg’s Tiny Toons, Road Runner as part of Looney Tunes All Stars and Taz-Mania.

Big Brother Africa season nine auditions

Carly Barnes
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On Monday, 30 June and Tuesday, 1 July Big Brother Africa will be hosting open auditions for potential South African housemates at The Pyramid Venue and Conference Centre in Johannesburg. Season nine will run for 91 days and will screen 24 hours a day from 7 September on DStv channels 197 and 198, while highlights will be available on GOtv. The winning contestant will receive $300,000 in prize money.

Presented by AfricaMagic and produced by Endemol, Big Brother invites entrants from Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to audition in their respective country venues.

Wangi Wa-Uzoukwu, Regional Director for M-Net Africa (West Africa) says, “The fact that the fans truly adore the show is all the motivation we need to keep it fresh and that is always made possible by the enthusiastic and fun-loving young Africans who will answer to Big Brother. We are rearing to go and we know that this will definitely be another exciting season that is full of quality entertainment.’

Sivan Pillay, Managing Director of Endemol adds, “We have been producing this series for M-Net for a number of seasons now and as partners, together we have seen this show grow to the phenomenon that it has become. We hope the season will be even better as we strive to improve on our offering season after season. We will not hold back on the quality and exciting unpredictability that has become synonymous with Big Brother Africa. Audiences and fans can expect yet another high quality production and of course, another group of fun-loving housemates who will keep you guessing on who will be left standing come day 91.’

Auditioning entrants must:

• Be over the age of 21
• Citizens of one of the participating countries
• Have a valid passport
• Be open-minded, bold and adventurous

Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa concludes: “As MultiChoice Africa we are always pleased to welcome each new season of Big Brother Africa onto our platforms and we applaud its amazing success and ability to bring together audiences from all across the continent. The inclusion of Rwanda in this season is even more exciting as this displays that our reach and growth into the various sub-Saharan markets is going from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing further growth as well as the impressive social media presence that the show enjoys.’

Visit the Big Brother Africa 2014 website for more information.

Zuma on SA’s broadband policy

Carly Barnes
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On Tuesday 17 June, South African president, Jacob Zuma delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) which had a focus on the economy, job creation and the country’s broadband policy.

In December 2013 the Cabinet of South Africa adopted South Africa Connect, the national broadband policy, in an initiative to implement a better information infrastructure which would connect citizens and boost economic growth by 2030.
According to the president, “the government will endeavour to modernise, expand and increase affordability of information and communications infrastructure. Included in this will be broadband internet.’

“Government has invested approximately one trillion rand in new infrastructure to provide water, energy, transport, sanitation, schools and clinics and internet connections to SA citizens,’ Zuma continued.

The president explained that technical skills training would be an important area of development and said, “12 training and vocational education colleges will be built to expand the technical skills mix in the country.’

In February 2014 Zuma delivered a SONA speech in which he maintained that a big portion of South Africa’s wealth was being created through the internet and telecommunications industries and stated that the public and private sectors had already laid approximately 37,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable. To this he added, “this will be significantly expanded upon over the years.’

Ster-Kinekor upgrades Sandton City cinema with Cine Prestige

Carly Barnes
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The Ster-Kinekor cinema at Sandton City has been upgraded with the cinema chain’s premium cinema experience: Cine Prestige. This marks the company’s fifth investment in the format following the success of installations at The Zone and Cradlestone Mall in Johannesburg, Grove Mall in Pretoria East and Gateway in Durban.

Doug Place, Marketing Executive of Ster-Kinekor Theatres says, “We are very proud of this development at our Sandton site, as we continue to bring the very best in cinema entertainment to our audiences across the country. We are committed to giving movie-lovers great moments with every movie experience, and our investment into new sites and upgraded formats, such as here at Sandton, provide further evidence of our determination to deliver on this promise.’

While all the cinemas at Sandton are equipped with the latest in digital projector technology which offers movie-goers crystal clear images and quality surround sound speaker systems, five of the cinemas are able to screen films in 3D and, due to popular demand, the complex now hosts a Cine Prestige cinema, which is also 3D capable.

Fitted with 52 automated recliner chairs, each with a built-in snack tray and a refrigerated cup-holder, Cine Prestige exemplifies film-viewing heaven and pure luxury.

Place adds, “The upgrades to the seats in our new Sandton cinema, including the automated reclining facility and a refrigerated cup-holder, ensure a smooth, sleek and ultra-comfortable cinema experience. This is the perfect date-night venue. Adding to the experience is an exclusive VIP lounge where delicious platters of food can be ordered and enjoyed inside the cinema, and where queuing is a thing of the past.’

Smart phone users can download the Ster-Kinekor App on their Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry to access what’s new, which films are releasing when, and to make a booking.

Visit the Ster-Kinekor website for more information.

eTV News presenters join Obama’s Young Africa Leaders Initiative

Carly Barnes
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From 16 June until 31 August eNCA anchor, Cathy Mohlahlana and Sunrise presenter, Faith Mangope will take part in US President Barack Obama’s exchange program, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

YALI is a program which brings over 500 young leaders to the US where they receive leadership training, academic coursework and mentoring as part of a long-term effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders.

Over a three-day summit Mohlahlana and Mangope will interact with Obama. They will also participate in six-weeks of intensive academic and leadership program where they will meet members of the US government as well as civic and business leaders.

As trainees in this program they will join a US and global network of alumni and are able to enhance their potential to find innovative economic, social and political solutions to the challenges which are pertinent in South Africa.

There will also be an opportunity for trainees to get access to millions of dollars in the form of small grant funding.

The program will highlight the following areas of importance:

• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Civic Leadership
• Public Management

Unearthed wins Green Award at Sheffield International Documentary Festival

Carly Barnes
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Unearthed, a South African feature documentary, follows the journey
undertaken by Karoo-born director Jolynn Minnaar, in order to get to the bottom
of the controversial gas extraction method of fracking in her home district.

The film featured at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival, which took
place from 7 to 14 June in the UK, where it won the Green Award and was
applauded for having critical, international relevance as well as the ability to
inspire action across the world.

Minnaar commented, “With an expanding global population and excruciating
demands on natural resources, it is no secret that the world is in trouble. The
world as we know it, urgently needs to hit the refresh button. May
Unearthed become a catalyst in that endeavour.’

Unearthed will feature at the Durban International Film Festival which
takes place from 17 to 27 July.

Visit the Unearthed
website for more information.

Watch the
Unearthed trailer.

IMSFF programme announced

Carly Barnes
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The Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival (IMSFF), which takes place from 25 to 29 June 2014 at the MAXI-Cineplex in the Hatfield Plaza, Pretoria has announced the full festival program, which is available on the IMSFF website.

The IMSFF workshops will run as follows:

26 June

14h15 to 15h50

Media Film Services Gideon Furst presents: Film Gimmicks and Cameras

16h20 to 17h55

Danie Bester and Sallas De Jager present: How to be competitive in the film market today.

27 June

14h15 to 15h50

Writers Guild South Africa presents: Remuneration of Scriptwriters and the exploitation by producers and broadcasters.

16h20 to 17h55

MadRobot presents: Product Placement as an alternative film funding route.

28 June

14h05 to 15h40

Open Window’s Christopher Pinto and Sean Viljoen present: A 3D Animation Demonstration.

As there are only 120 seats available per workshop, those who wish to attend are advised to avoid disappointment by arriving early.

The full festival programme is also available at the venue for a cost of R2,00.

The Gala Awards, which take place on 29 June, is an invitation only event and those who wish to attend may send a formal request to info@imsff.co.za.

Visit the IMSFF website for more information.

Leading programmers use Intelsat to televise 2014 FIFA World Cup

Carly Barnes
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Leading news and sports programmers are making use of Intelsat’s global satellite services and IntelsatOne terrestrial network to broadcast the 2014 World Cup, which takes place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014.

Televisa, TV Azteca, OTI, Univision, DIRECTV Latin America, TV Globo, ESPN Brazil, Fox Brasil, Megavision, Andina de Radiodifusion, Globecast, Overon America, Canal 13, Arsat TVN Chile, FF Work, Softbank for TV Asahi and British Media Communications for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) are depending on Intelsat’s satellite network infrastructure to deliver the World Cup to their audiences. In addition, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is using Intelsat 805 capacity to distribute the World Feed to the Americas.

Contribution, distribution and fibre back-up demands of sports and news organisations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa will also be supported by Intelsat on an ad-hoc basis using the company’s occasional use service pool. The satellite services provided complement existing full-time capacity arrangements used by sports and news organisations for news coverage emanating from the region.

Peter Ostapiuk, Intelsat’s Vice President of Media Product Management said that the Intelsat network has delivered many of Latin America’s most exciting sporting events to the rest of the world, “Intelsat excels at bringing the world together to share in some of the most exciting moments in modern history. From the 1968 Olympics in Mexico to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. As we mark our 50th anniversary in 2014, we are proud once again to support the world’s leading sports and news programmers as we connect billions of people from around the globe with what promises to be some of this summer’s most exciting television.’

In order to execute full-time services for the duration of the games, 500 MHz of capacity has been reserved for programmers on seven satellites: Galaxy 19 located at 97.0° West; Intelsat 1R located at 310° East; Intelsat 11 located at 317° East; Intelsat 805 located at 304.5° East; Intelsat 901 located at 342° East; Intelsat 23 at 307° East and Intelsat 21 at 302° East.

The IntelsatOne terrestrial network provides teleport services and fibre connectivity in the US and Brazil through its association with BT’s GMN fibre network and media PoP in Rio de Janeiro.

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