Basic Lead is launching a new initiative to put film and TV content from sub-Saharan Africa at the forefront during DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 as part of its push to make the event the world\u2019s number one destination to source, acquire and co-produce entertainment content \u201cMade in Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
A range of campaigns will be put into action over the next six months to reach out to international broadcasters, pay-TV operators, streaming services, theatrical distributors and sales agents, with the goal of uncovering diverse and high-quality content. This initiative underscores the organizers\u2019 long-running commitment to both showcase homegrown African content and develop co-production opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n
Thematic hubs will be set up to showcase content “Made in Africa.” These hubs include the Pavilion Francophone Africain, promoting independently produced French-language content; the Digilab Africa umbrella, spotlighting innovations in virtual reality and 360-degree storytelling; and the Animation Village to welcome Africa’s most creative animators. DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 will continue its focus on African animation through its continued partnership with the African Animation Network, which will host the Animation Village.<\/p>\n
Nick Wilson, the project manager of the African Animation Network, commented, “The African Animation Network is delighted to continue to build on the animation presence at DISCOP markets. African animation creators are invited to compete in our pitching competitions (Annecy \u2013 MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde) and skills development program (Annecy \u2013 MIFA Animation du Monde \u2013 Skills Program), which are presented in partnership with Annecy International Animated Film Festival. We’re extremely excited to host delegates from across the continent representing the widest diversity of the African animation industry and in line with the mantra \u2018Made in Africa.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, 267 of the 347 production and distribution houses in attendance hailed from 36 African countries. DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 will be held October 25 to 27 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Germany will be the Guest Country this year, with a master class focusing on the benefits of co-production treaties between Germany and South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe proudly declared after DISCOP Johannesburg 2016 that African content is King,\u201d said Patrick Zuchowicki, the CEO of Basic Lead and founder of the DISCOP markets. \u201cAnd while African content has long struggled to reach audiences outside the continent, the presence at last year’s DISCOP Johannesburg of some of the major global streamers\u2014the new kids on the buying block\u2014proved that content \u2018Made in Africa\u2019 could be a disruptive force. There is an appetite for new projects with universal appeal and competition increases for fresh talent that can travel across all borders.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Basic Lead is launching a new initiative to put film and TV content from sub-Saharan Africa at the forefront during DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 as part of its push to make the event the world\u2019s number one destination to source, acquire and co-produce entertainment content \u201cMade in Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":477,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[188,275],"class_list":["post-1732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","","category-top-stories","tag-basic-lead","tag-discop-johannesburg-2017"],"yoast_head":"\n