?African Film in the Digital Era?
29 November 2009
The University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, 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.
Confirmed Keynote Speaker: Mr. Emeka Mba,
Director General of the Nigerian Film & Video Censors Board
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? The
other questions to be debated at this conference may include the following:
* What is an ?African film? in the digital era?
* How has the African film/video sector been
transformed by new technology?
* How have African film and video producers
responded to social, economic and political change?
* Should African governments regulate African films and video production?
* How are issues of copyright and piracy
affecting the African film and video industry?
Is piracy the problem or is it the lack of
distribution? Should filmmakers be embracing
internet dissemination rather than viewing it as another form of piracy?
* Who views African films/videos? Why have
Nollywood films and videos enjoyed more
?success? than films from other parts of Africa?
* What are the implications of changes in
film and video markets in the world?
* What are the prospects for co-production
within Africa as a means of financing projects?
* Do films set in Africa, e.g. District 9,
The Last King of Scotland or Blood Diamond
qualify to be called African stories? Is it
desirable for African film making to 'cross-over' to other continents?
* Who should pay for the recovery, archiving
and reconstruction of African Films?
* What is the future of the African film in the 21st Century?
The programme will be circulated after other speakers have been confirmed.
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 Fees:
Unwaged/Students: £35 -_ Waged/Non-Students: £100
Fee includes registration, conference pack,
lunch, coffee/tea and wine reception
For registration forms please contact:
Helen Cohen
Short Courses and Events Administrator
University of Westminster
School of Media, Arts and Design: School Registry
HA1 3TP, Harrow, Middlesex, UK
T. 020 7911 5000 ext 4298 F. 020 7911 5995
E-mail:H,(Cohen02 /at/ wmin.ac.uk)
The University of Westminster is a charity and a
company limited by guarantee. Registration
number: 977818 England. Registered Office: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW.
