"The African diaspora is growing and we are seeing more niche channels targeting this audience across Europe and North America," explains Cherise Barsell, DISCOP Africa executive manager. Five channels from the UK are currently registered for DISCOP Africa 4, with more international channels expected to register before September.
The event plans to continue to host the Made in Africa workshops, designed to create a dialogue 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," says 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 will also be offered other 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 to help improve their sales skills.
Producers will also have access to funding opportunities, as the event plays host to a co-production pitching session which 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 takes place 1-3 September 2010 at the Hilton Nairobi in Kenya.
DISCOP events has partnered with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).
