DISCOP Africa Returns to Nairobi in September

LOS ANGELES/PARIS: More than 120 buyers are already registered for DISCOP AFRICA 4, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in September.

“The African diaspora is growing and we are seeing more niche channels targeting this audience across Europe and North America,” said Cherise Barsell, DISCOP AFRICA executive manager.

Five channels from the UK are already registered for DISCOP AFRICA 4, with more international channels expected to register before September. DISCOP AFRICA 4 will see a focus on providing African producers access to both the domestic and international marketplace. The event will continue to host the Made in Africa workshops, which are designed to open discussions between industry leaders and independent African producers on improving content quality, finding funding and increasing distribution. “Through our discussions, it became clear that the best way to increase the viability of African content was to focus directly on funding and sales, which is exactly what we will do at DISCOP AFRICA 4,” added Barsell.

From the sales perspective, independent African producers registered for DISCOP AFRICA 4 will be able to hold meetings and screen their content in the Made in Africa Pavilion. They can also make use of advanced sales services, which include access to an online database of buyers and their content needs, and the possibility to post programs to the Distube online screening platform. All producers will have access to a professional workshop, aimed at helping to improve their sales skills.

Producers will also have access to funding opportunities, as the event hosta a co-production pitching session that will see five qualified fiction producers selected to pitch their programs to five international and Kenyan broadcasters and producers interested in African co-production opportunities.

DISCOP AFRICA 4 will take place September 1 to 3 at the Hilton Nairobi in Kenya.