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Patrick Zuchowicki Jucaud, DISCOP Patrick Zuchowicki Jucaud founded the DISCOP markets in 1991. DISCOP markets facilitate content production and distribution business in fast-growing marketplaces where the entertainment and media sectors are fueled by young demographics, fast adoption of new technologies, rising disposable income and the popularity and abundance of content from different cultural backgrounds.

Nigerian Film Corporation and DISCOP announce Business Summit Nigeria 2019

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Nigerian Film Corporation and DISCOP announce Business Summit Nigeria 2019

Amidst the busy DISCOP Joburg 2018, the Nigerian Film Corporation managing director Chidia Maduekwe and DISCOP Markets CEO Patrick Zuchowicki signed an MOU to confirm the first annual DISCOP Business Summit in Nigeria. It was agreed that it will commence in December 2019 during the annual ZUMA Film Festival in Abuja.

This landmark partnership reflects the global interest and confidence in the emerging markets of Africa, with a particular focus on Africa’s fastest growing creative economy, Nigeria. This event will incorporate into the creative industries the vital role of banks and financiers who up until now are yet to fully participate in this massive growth sector of the Nigerian economy.

With a focus on finance and the economic imperatives of the content and creative industries, the DISCOP Business Summit Nigeria 2019 will include many players in Nigeria’s strong and forwardly focused banking sector. From the importance of production finance, to the role of micro-payments, banks and financial institutions must be part of the processes that drive the creative industries forward.

The Nigerian Film Corporation has identified this sector’s importance for the overall growth of the Nigerian economy and in partnering with the globally recognised DISCOP brand, will continue to drive the Nigerian film, TV, and digital content industries further.

Based on its decades of experience and networks, DISCOP Markets will leverage its global reach of international players who are all interested in the rapidly expanding West African and Nigerian markets.

Through this partnership, creative producers will be able to engage in focused discussions with their banking and technology counterparts as co-participants. This business focused event will be the first of its kind in Nigeria and will provide unparalleled opportunities for attendees.

The NFC’s Chidia Maduekwe went further to explain, “the importance of this partnership cannot be lost on the present administration’s focus on diversification of Nigeria’s economy away from the fossil dependency towards the creative economy. The collaboration of DISCOP and Nigerian Film Corporation is a welcome development that marks an important milestone in the policy direction of the Industrial Advisory Council on Technology and Creativity under the chairmanship of His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria. It should be recalled that HEVP recently lead Nigeria’s creativity team in a visit to California earlier in the year. The continuous development of quality productions in the Nigerian motion picture industry will be given fresh impetus following from this signed MOU between NFC and DISCOP.”

Patrick Zuchowicki CEO of DISCOP Markets also elaborates, “It is time for the banks, financial institutions, and investment funds to take the pulse of the opportunities available in the African Entertainment & Media marketplace. “Show Me The Money” will help lenders understand how important a role they can play in the development of the world’s fastest growing marketplace for film, television, digital and musical content.”

 

DISCOP Johannesburg 2018: What not to miss

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DISCOP Johannesburg 2018: What not to miss

Taking place from 14 to 16 November, DISCOP Johannesburg is the leading content, adaptation rights and project market dedicated to Africa and the Middle East.

As DISCOP Johannesburg approaches, here are some inside tips for getting the best out of the three-day intensive market. As anyone who has attended the event knows, DISCOP is about the business. Meetings, deal-making and networking are the most important elements of the event – especially for independent and smaller production houses.

With a massive focus this year on animation, music rights and synch deals, TV series and Swahili content, as well as the newly launched DISCOP CLUB, opportunities will abound for both sellers and buyers of African content.

The Meeting Service

As a registered delegate of DISCOP, the match-making or meeting service is probably the most powerful tool for anyone attending the market. Especially for producers who may be just entering the market or who operate independently, or for those who are not sure how to get the attention of buyers, the online meeting service is the best way to fill your diary with substantial and meaningful meetings.

DISCOMICS and Animation Highlights

The DISCOMICS Joburg segment, organised by the African Animation Network and DISCOP Markets, will bring comic books, animation and video-gaming talents before international buyers and producers. Twenty creators, graphic artists, game developers and animators have been offered the chance to attend DISCOP and enjoy VIP privileges, including a Producer’s market badge, a meeting pod in the DISCOMICS umbrella, meeting organisation assistance, access to the Next Gen programme, and up to five programmes and projects featured in the DISCOP Club online library for 12 months, among other perks. DISCOMICS will additionally host a talent showcase for key industry players, with the FUPiTOONS Festival also taking place during DISCOP.

Anyone with an interest in animation should also attend the two Next Gen sessions, which will take place on Friday 16 November. At 9am, ‘Wham, Pow, Boom’ will take a closer look at Nigeria’s animation, comic books and gaming industry. Thanks to a growing interest in the country, Nigerian animators are now stepping up to improve the quality and availability of their content. At 5pm, the Africa Animation Network (AAN) will explore the issue of ‘Animation Progeny’.

There will also be an ‘Animation Du Monde’ pitching competition, the grand finale of which takes place on the final day of DISCOP.

Finally, a DISCOP Conversation session will bring together globe-trotting animation experts to discuss the emerging trends and future outlook of animation in ‘The United World of Animation’. Using their own countries as case studies, panellists will paint a vivid picture of the opportunities, pioneering spaces and potential collaborators in this field.

Connecting Women across Africa: The Ladima Foundation

Following from the highly successful ‘Women of Influence’ Panel at DISCOP Zanzibar, the Ladima Foundation will present another similar panel at DISCOP Joburg. These interactive panel discussions bring together women who have achieved a certain level of influence within the industry and challenges them to brainstorm the tangible ways in which this influence can be used to improve the opportunities for women across Africa.

The conversation will also touch on the recently launched A-List – Africa’s largest searchable database of women professionals from across the film, TV and content industries.

Women producers attending DISCOP are encouraged to attend this session.

Swahili Producers and Content Opportunities 

East African and Kiswahili language content producers can take advantage of their own Swahili Pavilion at this year’s DISCOP market, sponsored by AZAM TV. This meeting space will be the home of a Swahili content-focused press conference, and there will also be a panel discussion on Swahili content taking place as part of the Next Gen programme.

These platforms promise to provide significant opportunities for Swahili content buyers and sellers.

Music Producers – Monetise Your Music through Content

DISCOP Johannesburg is not just for TV and content producers; the DISCORE programme will take place on 15 November with a full day of NEXT GEN discussions, focused on the ins and outs of licensing music for content. Film and TV producers are waking up to the importance of music in their productions, and – with DISCOP’s focus on the African content – this means opportunities for musicians, composers and performers.

The legal intricacies of royalties, publishing and synch deals will be covered and the sessions will provide the opportunity for music supervisors to connect with music producers. For anyone in the music industry looking for additional opportunities – these events are a MUST-attend.

Sign up for the DISCOP CLUB

Independent producers attending DISCOP Johannesburg should also take advantage of the innovative new service being offered. DISCOP CLUB is a digital interface specifically designed to support independent producers with small catalogues of content, with projects in development and with works in progress. Signing up and loading your content on the platform will enable year-round, 24/7 access to buyers, with experts on hand via the website to complement and support interactions between buyers and sellers outside of the physical market space.

The Ladima Foundation: Women of Influence panel discussion DISCOP Joburg

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The Ladima Foundation: Women of Influence panel discussion DISCOP Joburg

Established as a mechanism to support worthy women filmmakers from across Africa in order to contribute to correcting the major imbalances within the industry, The Ladima Foundation, in partnership with DISCOP Joburg will present the second of its Women of Influence panel on Wednesday, 14 November at 5pm at the Sandton Convention Centre.

These outcomes based discussions are focused on developing positive solutions and interventions that can have tangible impact for women in the industry. With an eye to both structural and policy change, as well as the issues that affect women at the coal-face, the Women of Influence panels challenge the participants to reflect on how, as women with influence and established networks, they can actively participate in the change needed for more women to succeed.

The panel follows the recent launch of the A-List, Africa’s largest searchable database of women professionals. The A-List was launched at the recent Cape Town International Film Market and Festival and already has over 1,000 registered. The A-List was a direct outcome of the first Ladima Women of Influence panel that took place at DISCOP Zanzibar in July 2018.

The discussions will include women from a diversity of backgrounds whose success and influence can be part of collectively building and strengthening the space that women occupy in the industries The essence of this panel is to develop a framework on how women in African Film can achieve influence through improving individual and collective competence and quality of output in the different fields of filmmaking and related areas.

The session at DISCOP Joburg includes a panel of highly successful and influential women and  aims to create a powerful and impactful dialogue where DISCOP delegates can directly engage with women from the entertainment & media industry who have reached the top of their fields.

Moderator: Lara UTIAN- PRESTON – co-founder – The Ladima Foundation

Speakers: Raziah ATHMAN – deputy editor-in-chief – Africanews

Kelly-Anne JOSEPH – head of Operations, SA and Rest of Africa – Kwese

ZeeZee IHE-OKUNEYE – managing partner – How Media & Entertainment

Valentine GAUDIN-MUTEBA – managing director: Media, Sales & Operations – TRACE Southern African Office

Sheila COLE – vice president of Post Productions & Operations – The Africa Channel

 

Third edition of Digital Lab Africa to kick off at DISCOP Johannesburg

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Third edition of Digital Lab Africa to kick off at DISCOP Johannesburg

Digital Lab Africa (DLA) is a springboard and an incubation platform for African creatives in digital content. Initiated by the Embassy of France and French Institute in South Africa (IFAS) in 2016, the programme is managed by the South African innovation hub Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct since 2018. The third edition of DLA will be for the first time a full-fledged program of the Digital Content Hub of Tshimologong which is supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The objective of Digital Lab Africa is to provide a springboard for the creators of next-generation content and to make their project happen with the support of French and Sub-Saharan African leading companies such as Triggerfish Animation, ARTE, TRACE or Lagardère Studios.

Available on Digilabafrica.com from 15 November, the DLA call for projects #3 is open to anyone from the field of digital content creation: artists, producers, designers, startups, SMEs, collectives, students or entrepreneurs. All applicants should either be based in Sub-Saharan Africa or be nationals of a country in this region.

The call targets developing projects in need of partners and financial support. The projects need to be innovative from the perspective of form, storytelling, content and technologies used, in one of the five following categories of multimedia production: web creation, virtual reality, gaming, digital music and animation.

For Lesley Donna Williams, the chief executive of the Tshimologong Precinct, the DLA call for projects #3 ties in with Tshimologong’s vision of ‘Africa Rising’: “The call for a greater volume of authentic African voices in the global digital space is growing and we are well poised with our relationship with the DLA and through our Digital Content Hub to fill that gap with meaningful content.”

“The French Embassy and the French Institute in South Africa are pleased to launch the third call for applications of Digital Lab Africa alongside two new high-quality partners: the Digital Content Hub of Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The ecosystem of Tshimologong associated with the more than 40 French and African key players of the cultural industries partners of DLA offer a very promising and dynamic environment for this third edition” says Christophe Farnaud, Ambassador of France in South Africa.

“DISCOP  is committed to empowering young creators and enriching Africa’s multiscreen ecosystems. Our partnership with Digital Lab Africa is a great way for DISCOP to address the numerous gaps across the development of a sound multimedia sector in Africa” adds Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of DISCOP.

The selected projects are granted with a R42,000 cash prize and a Digital Lab Africa Incubation Pass to accelerate the projects’ development. Each of the projects’ holders are mentored by both French and African experts to benefit from the expertise of several ecosystems. Alongside the mentorship programme, DLA mentees take part in residency programmes within digital clusters and also participate in industry events in France or in Sub-Saharan African region. The expected outcome of Digital Lab Africa programme is market-ready content/productions showcasing African creativity at its best.

During the second edition, DLA received +700 entries from over 30 Sub-Saharan African countries. Since the beginning of the initiative, fifteen projects from Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia have been awarded and incubated by DLA.

Animation and TV series dominate content demand at 2018 DISCOP Johannesburg

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Animation and TV series dominate content demand at 2018 DISCOP Johannesburg

As the African/MENA regions continue to grow as the world’s most coveted entertainment and media marketplaces, encompassing 70 countries with a combined population of 1.5 billion, DISCOP markets remain the go-to events for face-to-face meetings, insightful and educational discussions, as well as for ever critical deal-making.

With increasing internet connectivity, fast-growing smartphone reach, the ever-falling cost of data, DTT, and streaming platforms, video entertainment is more readily available and has put hundreds of millions of potential customers in play – with 75 per cent of them under the age of 25. Whilst these markets can seem overwhelming and sometimes impenetrable, DISCOP continues to offer both buyers and sellers of content the most reliable and direct access to decision makers, movers and shakers, and industry thought leaders.

DISCOP Johannesburg promises once again to be the largest and most respected content market of its kind with an unparalleled reputation for consistency and return on investment for participants and exhibitors.

This year will be no different, with the continued exponential growth of the market continuing with over 1 500 delegates attending the event at the Sandton Convention Centre from 14 to 16 November. Guests will include over 400 acquisition and development executives representing broadcasters, premium cable channels, mobile operators, and streaming platforms from across Sub-Saharan Africa. DISCOP Joburg will also attract 200+ global and regional distributors who will be showcasing their latest offerings and seeking new representation deals.

DISCOP’s Next Gen programme is meticulously curated to focus on the most important topics and issues relating to Africa and the Middle East. Some of the industries most influential professionals and decision makers take part in lively and interactive sessions that provide critical insights for anyone wanting to understand these lucrative markets.

This year’s topics are particularly on point with a strong focus on animation and TV series. With all the rapidly changing platforms available for content distribution, both animation and TV series are still far ahead of any other type of content in relevance and viability.

DISCOMICS – African Animation Network Highlights

Over the last two years, the African Animation Network (AAN) has partnered with Annecy International Animated Film Festival & Market (the premiere animation event globally) and DISCOP Markets to host the Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde in Africa.

In 2018, DISCOP Markets and AAN, launched DISCOMICS in partnership with ICON Comic & Games Convention (South Africa), NAICCON (Kenya) and Lagos Comic Con (Nigeria)- the three longest running pop culture events in Southern, Eastern and Western Africa.  As a result, Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde was run across five territories in Africa including Abidjan, Johannesburg, Zanzibar, Nairobi and Lagos.  The 10 finalists, two from each territory, will descend upon DISCOP Johannesburg to compete in the continental final. The two winners of the continental final, identified by the panel of international expert judges, will then go on to represent Africa and compete against their global counterparts at Annecy International Animated Film Festival & Market 2019.

The 10 finalsts are:

  • Leshika Manue (Congo Braza) presenting Koka Kitoumbou
  • Ouassila Kharoune (Côte d’Ivoire) presenting Étincelle/The Spark
  • Nildo Essa (Mozambique) presenting As aventuras dos Pestinhas
  • Mike Scott (South Africa) presenting Da Bes Band
  • Khanye Mfeka (South Africa) representing My Friendly Tokoloshe
  • Mike Scott (South Africa) presenting Hiraeth
  • Shadrack Munene (Kenya) presenting Nini
  • Salim Busuru (Kenya) presenting The Next Rainbow
  • Ridwan Moshood (Nigeria) presenting Garbage Boy and Trash Can
  • Dami Solesi (Nigeria) presenting The Makerbolts

Nick Wilson, head of Projects and Content at AAN, has this to say of the 2018 programme: “We’re really excited about the expanded footprint in 2018 having received 28 per cent more submissions than we did in the previous year.  It’s allowed us to access more talent on the ground and provide them with opportunities to further develop their projects and find potential investment. As validation for what we’ve been trying to achieve; one of the winners of the competition in 2017, Ingrid Agbo, secured a pre-sale from Gulli Africa for her project L’arbre à Palimpseste at the finals at Annecy in 2018.”

A host of animation studios from across Africa have taken advantage of the offer to be part of the DISCOMICS Umbrella at DISCOP Johannesburg, these include:

  • Zeropoint Studios (South Africa)
  • PIXCOMM (South Africa)
  • DreamlifeTV (Nigeria)
  • Trueways (Kenya)
  • Lekholokwe Media Services (South Africa)
  • Smids Animation Studios (Nigeria)
  • The Tsunami Studio Ltd (Kenya)
  • Whitchcraft Design (South Africa)
  • Naota Studios (Kenya)
  • Basement Animation (Nigeria)
  • ASsmo-Alliance of Slum Media Organization (Kenya)
  • Crossroads Digital Multimedia Ltd (Uganda)
  • 5Seven Seven6 Entertainment (South Africa)
  • Africa Games Week (South Africa)
  • Monument Creative (Ghana)
  • Buni Media (Kenya)
  • The Hidden Hand (South Africa)
  • ICON Comic & Games Convention
  • NAICCON
  • Lagos Comic Con

TV Series – Evergreen Format Sees Resurgence

With the recent announcement at MIPCOM that South Arica’s Known Associates Entertainment has optioned the rights for Ugly Betty, there has been much attention focused on the TV series format, but for those who have been paying attention to the African market will know that this is just the latest announcement that highlights the ongoing popularity of TV series across the continent.

Throughout the three days there will be sessions focused on the role and importance of public broadcasters, each day a leading public broadcasters will be invited to discuss their creative and business strategies to lead their organisation into a digital and mobile future.  These broadcasters include Radio Television Ivoirienne, British Broadcasting Service, and the Canadian Broadcasting Service.

DISCOP Markets general manager Patrick Zuchowicki explains further, “DISCOP Johannesburg 2018 will be an opportunity for broadcasters, premium cable channels, SVOD platforms and mobile operators to find for the first time a great choice of international TV series projects initiated outside Africa, in an advanced development stage and where Africa takes center stage.”

For more information on DISCOP Joburg, click here.

DISCOP Club: Innovative shopping service for content buyers

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DISCOP Club: Innovative shopping service for content buyers

DISCOP Markets announces a brand new service and innovation in response to the needs of both buyers and sellers of content from Africa and the Middle East.

As a way to boost interaction between buyers and sellers before, during, and in-between the four annual DISCOP Markets, DISCOP Club is a digital interface and customised service tailor-made for buyers who now can enjoy the ease of having a digital catalogue featuring relevant information and videos for each property offered by DISCOP registered vendors.

Registered buyers can also screen full-length versions or full-length episodes whenever available, and by using the instant and real time Chat Box service they can request the assistance of ‘personal shoppers’ to set-up meetings with DISCOP vendors or to help them in their selection of programmes.

DISCOP Markets are uniquely positioned to offer this service with a 92 per cent industry recognition factor and the ability to rapidly engage with over 1,500+ key buyers representing broadcasters, premium cable channels, mobile operators, and streaming platforms that  have a marked preference for homegrown content.

Similarly, with its strong and continued focus on independent producers, DISCOP Markets are able to engage directly and speedily with over 500+ key independent producers active in the 70 countries of Africa and the Middle East.

In fact, the DISCOP Club is specifically designed to support independent producers with small catalogues of content, with projects in development, and with works in progress. Based on outreach via a survey to over 300 of these producers from the Middle East and from Africa, 100 per cent responded that they would like to see an online marketplace to compliment the four DISCOP Markets.

Via the personal shopper service, buyers are able to have 24/7 access to content with experts on hand via the website to compliment and and support interactions between buyers and sellers outside of the physical market space. This service will assist buyers in navigating the various content streams available, and ultimately also benefit vendors and producers by providing sales opportunities outside the parameters of the DISCOP events.

Specifically designed for Africa and the Middle East, DISCOP Club will service content buyers and sellers for a region with a combined population of 1.5 billion. Africa and the Middle East still account for a very marginal share in B2B content trading, both in volume and in value. However, these regions anticipate dynamic growth in the near future.

DISCOP Club membership includes a host of innovative features including:

  • Quality screening.  Whether it’s a desktop computer or a mobile phone, DISCOP Club provides a fast, high quality video playback experience for viewers across multiple devices.  DISCOP Club web player supports Adaptive Bitrate streaming support (ABR) which helps optimise the streaming experience for viewers, based on their current bandwidth.
  • Full-length version or full-length episode of the programme, in addition of the trailer.  The full-length versions are available only to DISCOP registered buyers.
  • The option to feature projects in development.
  • A team of personal shoppers.  They are dedicated to reviewing, indexing and storing the content, thereby giving vendors and producers more personalised attention.
  • Chat Window will allow buyers to ask questions about the content, and schedule meetings with vendors ahead of a market.
  • More visibility for the content among buyers all year round.  A strong communication strategy (online and on the phone) will promote DISCOP Club with persistent frequency.
  • Analytics.The team can provide analytical data to best inform you about the buyers’ reach (number of impressions, number of plays, stream hours by consumer, most requested videos).

For more information, click here or contact Andrew Boozer, the Content Promotion manager at andrewboozer@discopclub.com.

Canada selected as guest country for DISCOP Johannesburg 2018

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Canada selected as guest country for DISCOP Johannesburg 2018

DISCOP, the leading content, adaptation rights and project market dedicated to Africa and the Middle East, has announced that Canada will be the guest country at its Johannesburg edition set to run from 14 to 16 November.

This announcement was made possible thanks to the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, who have launched a dedicated incentive for the co-development of audiovisual projects between Canadian producers and South African producers.

The total amount of funding available through the incentive is approximately CAD $120,000 or ZAR 1,200,000 with each funding organisation contributing half of the funds.

“In the past 20 years, we’ve seen content produced between Canadian and South African creators hit international markets with great commercial success and critical acclaim. Producers in both countries have partnered to tell stories that are culturally-relevant to audiences in both countries and around the world,” said Valerie Creighton, president and CEO, CMF. “Through our matching fund with the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, we have further enabled the development of strong partnerships between producers in both countries. As we aim to create yet more partnerships between Canadian and South African producers, we look forward to participating in DISCOP Johannesburg 2018 where Canada will be Guest Country.”

The tribute to Canada will be marked by the presence of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation who will be in Johannesburg to present PANORA.TV, its new B2B online platform facilitating transactions, from searching and shopping, to contract generation, payment processing and content delivery.

Canadian producers and government representatives attending DISCOP Johannesburg 2018, including André Ferreira, communication manager of the CMF, will be hosted at the Made in Canada Pavilion, a networking and communications hub that will provide visibility and market exposure to Canadian delegates.

Two important sessions scheduled in the context of DISCOP’s sidebar NEXT GEN development and knowledge-transfer programme will also examine co-production and distribution opportunities between Canada and South Africa.

1500+ delegates are expected to take part in DISCOP Johannsburg 2018 including 400+ acquisition and development executives representing broadcasters, premium cable channels, mobile operators and streaming platforms operating in Sub-Saharan Africa and 200+ global and regional distributors will also be at the market to showcase their latest offerings and seek new representation deals.

In a move to accelerate the development of a sustainable production and distribution ecosystem across Africa and the Middle East, DISCOP content, adaptation right and project markets are held several times a year in strategic regional industry hubs.

 

East Africa wins: DISCOP Zanzibar and ZIFF 2018

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SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2018 and inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar marked a key turning point for the East African region. Both events were remarkably well-attended and their combined impact has been tangible for the industry, with some notable outcomes.

The prominence of Kenya and Kenyan filmmakers was on everybody’s agenda at both events, and as the nine days wrapped up with the ZIFF Awards night on 14 July, the success of women at this year’s festival was also the top talking point.

The rise of the Kenyan film industry is not news to anyone who follows the region, however, their strong showing in Zanzibar this past month signals even more growth to come. The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) was one of the key sponsors of both DISCOP Zanzibar and ZIFF, and not only did they support the screening of the Golden Dhow winning feature film Supa Modo at the event, but the organisation also sponsored at least another 15 to 20 filmmakers from Kenya to attend ZIFF. Along with the Kenya Film Classification Board, the official Kenyan delegation to Zanzibar numbered well over 30, with at least another 100 or so guests also taking part across the two events.

This delegation also included six members of the Kenyan parliament who were sent specifically to investigate and research the needs of Kenyan filmmakers, as well as the importance of festivals and markets such as ZIFF and DISCOP. These MPs will be drafting a report that will be used as the basis for new policy development aimed at further promoting and supporting Kenya’s film industry.

The results of this kind of support are obvious. At this year’s event, as in previous years, Kenyan filmmakers did exceptionally well on awards night. Apart from scooping the night’s top award for Supa Modo, Kenyan filmmakers won awards in 10 categories.

This prominence of the KFC was in stark contrast to the complete lack of appearance of the Tanzania Film Board (TFB). The TFB was invited many months ago to be part of these events, for whatever reasons, they have failed for two years running to leverage on this key opportunity taking place within their own country. Tanzanian filmmakers feel very much on their own, especially when compared to their Kenyan counterparts.

The other group that came out shining this year at both ZIFF and DISCOP Zanzibar were women filmmakers and professionals. In fact, the development and recognition of women within the film industry was a reoccurring theme throughout both ZIFF and the inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar.

Women filmmakers took home a total of 10 awards, with the documentary SILAS, directed by Anjali Nayar and Hawa Essuman taking home two awards; Best Documentary and Best International Film.  Best Short Film, Best TV Series, the Sembene Ousmane Award, the Emerson Award, and the Chairman’s Award amongst others, were all taken home by women.

The overall number of films submitted by women increased this year, and the history and status of women in the industry was also the focus of some key programmes at both events this year.

The Ladima Foundation hosted two events and also awarded the Adiaha Award for Best Documentary from an African Woman to New Moon, from Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann.

A full-day event at ZIFF saw the Africa in Motion Film Festival’s Lizelle Bischoff, along with fellow Stephanie van der Peer, present two restored African Lost Classics from women filmmakers, Fatma75 and Mossane. The screenings were followed by a discussion on the lost history of African women filmmakers.

The Ladima Women of Influence Panel was especially well-received with its focus on tangible steps to be taken to assist the development and recognition of women within the film and media industries. The panel included Bikiya Graham-Douglas, a Nigerian actress, singer, entrepreneur and the founder of Beeta Universal Arts Foundation; Biola Alabi, an African media expert with over 25 years of local and global media experience; Theresa Hill from South Africa, general manager for STEPS and acquisition manager for AfriDocs; Dr Mzuri Issa Ali from Zanzibar, director of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA); Giselle Portenier, a Canadian award-winning journalist and filmmaker; and Farida Nyamachumbe, a filmmaker from Zanzibar.

Some key outcomes of this discussion will see the development of a Pan-African list of women in the industry that can then be used by production houses to source qualified women across a range of film industry services. The Ladima Foundation will also be focussing on lobbying for policy change in Tanzania and Nigeria to promote film education in schools from an early age.

The overwhelmingly positive energy and impetus for change and development that was expressed throughout this year’s ZIFF and DISCOP Zanzibar bode well for the entire East Africa region, not just for Kenyans and not just for women. It will be essential however to keep focussing on the necessary support mechanisms that are proving to be successful when implemented properly.

By Lara Preston

 

DISCOP Johannesburg 2018’s Next Gen programme places a special focus on animation

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DISCOP Johannesburg 2018’s Next Gen programme places a special focus on animation

Organisers of the next Johannesburg edition of the DISCOP film, television, digital and video gaming content market and co-production forum announced a parallel Next Gen development and pitching programme with a special focus on animation.

Slated from 14 to 16 November, DISCOP Johannesburg 2018 is expecting 1,500+ delegates from 90 countries representing 1,000+ companies – including 200 global and regional distributors, 500 independent producers and 350 acquisition and co-production executives representing broadcasters, pay-TV networks, mobile operators, telecoms and streaming platforms.

Designed to help independent production companies achieve their full potential, Next Gen is specifically tailored to meet the demand of a rapidly changing audiovisual landscape under the influence of a marked preference for home-grown content, the emergence of local talents, viewers’ migration to on-demand streaming and mobile screens, increased mobility and faster internet.

Developed in partnership with the African Animation Network this year’s Next Gen agenda will place a special focus on Africa’s thriving animation industry. The programme will ensure animators have access to prime information and capture the attention of key players who could set them on a rapid upward trajectory.

Dubbed DISComics a pilot festival designed for animators will feature works in progress to be pitched in front of broadcasters, content distribution platforms, producers, distributors and advertisers seeking fresh talent.

“The factors which influence the emergence of a booming animation sector in Africa are numerous and the most obvious is talent,” says Nick Wilson, president of the African Animation Network, who adds, “However, the pressing challenge for these talents is how to accelerate their development and help them be ready for progression more quickly.”

In addition, the Next Gen agenda will put under the spotlight new mobile distribution models, the vital relationship between content and music, the disrupting effect of the blockchain technology, licensing and merchandising opportunities, Nigeria’s fast-rising entertainment and media sector, and the rapid emergence of the video-gaming sector. Producers will also be able to explore partnership opportunities with Egypt, Canada, France and Morocco.

Producers will also benefit from strategic networking opportunities with key players representing the South African media ecosystem who will plug them into relationships and information sources that will help them move forward.

“This year’s Next Gen agenda is a ‘must attend’ event that will once again create value and opportunities for independent producers attending DISCOP Johannesburg,” says Tim Mangwedi, DISCOP’s director for Sub-Saharan Africa, who adds, “As a platform focused on content business, our mandate is to help future generations of creators weigh their options, measure the challenges that lie ahead of them, and assess the risk landscape.”

A 50 per cent early bird discount is available until 17 September for non-exhibiting delegates registering online using EBDJ17SEPT as a promo code.

The Next Gen programme will be finalised by Monday, 17 September 2018. Requests for animation submission forms must be forwarded to info@discop.com.

The inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar: It’s time for Africa

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The inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar: It’s time for Africa

The inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar is set to take place from 11 to 13 July, at the brand new and 100 per cent green VERDE HOTEL, champion of sustainable development and located two kilometres from Stone Town.

With two weeks left before the opening, 235+ delegates are already pre-registered for this new ‘micro-market’ including 75+ acquisition and programming executives representing 63 new and upcoming broadcasters and pay-TV operators servicing Eastern Africa. These include the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (Rwanda), Zanzibar Broadcaster Corporation (Tanzania), NTA (Nigeria), GBC, NET2 TELEVISION and IFN TV (Ghana), Swazi TV (Swaziland), STV SPECTRUM (Cameroon), MUVI TELEVISION (Zambia), DEEN TV (South Africa), LUNTHA TV (Malawi), DRTV (Congo Brazzaville) as well as more established companies from the region such as AZAM TV, ITV, CITIZEN TV, FAMILY TV, KTN, NBS TV.

Streaming platforms with a strong focus on the African marketplace such as IFLIX, SHOWMAX, IROKO and ARCADIA MOBILE will also be attending the three-day market.

120+ independent film, television, digital and video gaming content producers and distributors will also be present at DISCOP Zanzibar to run parallel to the well established Zanzibar International Film Market.

These young creators and entrepreneurs will be invited to take part in the ‘Next Gen’ knowledge-transfer, development and pitching programme. This sidebar programme running alongside the market and open to all participants, will address strategic issues regarding the development of a sustainable audio-visual ecosystem meeting the demands and means of Africa, the world’s fastest growing entertainment and media marketplace.

As part of this programme, The Africa Channel (TAC), will present ‘It’s Time For Africa | Creating & Producing for a Global Market’, a discussion to be moderated by Brendan Gabriel, VP Production & Creative Development, TAC, with a special focus on practical tips tailored for producers who want to sell their content globally.

The ‘Next Gen’ programme will feature three distinct programme tracks respectively focusing on regional co-production opportunities, the growing importance of video gaming content and the strategic value of original music to better accompany video entertainment content across the world.

Additionally, DISCOP Zanzibar will put the spotlight on Ethiopia with a special panel on The History and Future of Ethiopian Media; a journey through the last 30 years of broadcast media in Ethiopia. Experts look at state monopoly on broadcasting and the birth of new radio and TV stations, censorship of the media space, how the internet has changed access to information, the rise of new radio and TV stations and the type of content they are focusing on.

DISCOP Zanzibar has put a special focus on programmes aimed at independent producers, and as part of this focus, The Africa Channel will present a not-to-be-missed panel; It’s Time for Africa – Creating & Producing for a Global Market. Moderated by Brendan Gabriel, VP Production & Creative Development, The Africa Channel, the discussion will focus on advice for producers who want to sell their content into a global market

Women of Influence will also be in the spotlight at DISCOP Zanzibar with a panel discussion in partnership with the Ladima Foundation. The discussion will be an inspiring session on how to achieve influence and share it with the next generation.

 

 

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