DISCOP Africa Sells Out Floor Space

LOS ANGELES: DISCOP Africa has already sold out the floor plan for its next edition, which is set for November 6 to 8 at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg.

More than 2,000 delegates from 70-plus countries are expected to attend. National umbrellas representing the U.K., France, the U.S., China, Korea, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are in place. 

The three-day event, which marks the eighth edition, will feature a conference program that focuses on such issues as production fund-raising along with providing hands-on learning opportunities. Also taking place will be the second edition of the Formats from Africa pitching competition.

“There’s never been a better time to approach the future of content business in Africa with confidence,” said Patrick Jucaud-Zuchowicki, the general manager of the DISCOP Organization. “Africa is empowered by young populations, rising advertising markets, rapid digital switchover processes, strong broadband and mobile penetration, and continued growth in multi-screen viewing and subscription revenues.”

Thabiso Masudubele, senior manager for industry support and development at the Gauteng Film Commission of South Africa, which is a partner in the DISCOP Africa conference program, commented, “One of the priorities of the GFC is to support the sustained growth and development of our region’s audiovisual sector. DISCOP Africa, as a market, provides a platform that is local in hosting and international in exposure, allowing local content creators to connect with international buyers and keep abreast of global trends. The hosting of such an important internationally orientated market in South Africa, and particularly in Gauteng, assists significantly in continuing to establish the region as the gateway to Africa, and we’re looking forward to a hugely successful event in 2013.”