African Film in the Digital Era Conference
Date: Sunday 29 November 2009
Venue: 309 Regent Street, University of Westminster, London
This one-day interdisciplinary conference
invites academics, film and video producers,
policy makers, film distributors, Africa
specialists, and development practitioners to
debate the role and future of African film and video.
To register, please complete a downloadable
registration form available at:
<http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-2193>http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-2193
Confirmed Keynote Speakers:
1. Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General of the Nigerian Film & Video Censors Board
2. Professor Mbye Cham, Howard University, USA,
co-editor of the book of African Experiences of Cinema
Conference overview:
African film has emerged strongly ?at a crucial
time in the history of Africa, not only as a
voice of the people, but also as an answer to
the drudgery of a socio-economic existence
characterised by high unemployment and
contracting opportunities? (Ogunleye 2003).
Apart from empowering the marginalised, the
African film and video industry now benefits
many on the continent. In most African
countries, filmmakers are self-funded and get
little input from the public sector. Yet it is
the product of this growing body of
self-sponsored and mostly independent film
producers that has proved to be the best public
relations for many African governments and
communities. African economies benefit immensely
from the direct and indirect taxes they levy on
African films. And while some filmmakers exist
in ?grey areas? of the law, quotas in some parts
of Africa have assured producers of markets. The
picture is further confused by differing
attitudes to piracy and copyright across the
continent. New technologies have made production
and distribution easier, but is this a positive?
Previous debates have focused on shared problems
around issues such as language, content,
regulation, funding, form or quality in African
films, but how is the situation after 2000?
Other speakers include:
Kunle Afolayan, Film Director, Nigeria
Oladipo Agboluaje, Nigerian UK-based theatre/screen writer, Area Boys
Anver Versi, Africa Business Magazine
Peace Anyiam, CEO of AMAA & Film Producer, Nigeria
Emmanuel Apea, Film Director, Ghana
Biyi Bandele, Nigerian UK-based novelist and screen writer, UK
Guido Convents, African film historian and anthropologist, Belgium
Jonathan Dockney, Researcher, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Lindiwe Dovey, Professor, lecturer in African Film and Performance, SOAS, UK
Obi Emelonye, Lawyer/Film Director
June Givani, Film consultant, UK
Susanne Hammacher, Film Officer BFI/RAI, UK
Wanuri Kahui, Film Director, Kenya
Martin Mhando, Professor/Editor of the Journal of African Cinemas
Keyan Tomaselli, Professor/Editor of the Journal of African Cinemas
Bimpe Nkontchou, lawyer/Nigerian
Omelihu Nwanguma, British-born Nigerian film director, Area Boys
Dayo Ogunyemi lawyer/Nigerian
Farai Sevenzo, Film Director, Zimbabwe/UK
Keith Shiri, Director of Africa at the Pictures, UK
Jane Thorburn, Television Director/Principal
Lecturer, CREAM, University of Westminster
To see the draft programme please visit:
<http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-2193>http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-2193.
Please note that the final programme will include other speakers.
The conference is organised by University of
Westminster?s Africa Media Centre (AMC) in
association with the Communication and Media
Research Institute (CAMRI), Communication
Research in Arts and Media (CREAM), the London
African Film Festival (LAFF) and Africa at the Pictures
Conference Fee: £35
Fee includes registration, conference pack,
lunch, coffee/tea and wine reception
For more information contact:
Helen Cohen
Short Courses and Events Administrator
University of Westminster
School of Media, Arts and Design
School Registry
HA1 3TP
Harrow, Middlesex, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 4298
Fax +44 (0)20 7911 5995
E-mail: <mailto:(H.Cohen02 /at/ westminster.ac.uk)>(H.Cohen02 /at/ westminster.ac.uk)
