[ecrea] CFP Distribution in the Nigerian Film Industry

Call for Papers/Proposals - Conference
Theme: Distribution in the Nigerian Film Industry

Venue: School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, 
Lagos, NIGERIA

Date: 25 – 26 June, 2014

Distribution is a key and unavoidable meeting point between the 
production and consumption of films. As a mediating process, it is also 
considered to be a site of power, given its control over what is seen by 
the consumer and the profit that accrues to the producer. Distribution 
is widely recognised as a major problem of the Nigerian film industry. 
The industry, for the greater part of its existence, has not had a 
formal film distribution structure, and the filmmakers have largely 
depended on an informal distribution system. This informal system has 
been successful in its ability to make the Nigerian film extensively 
known as a cultural product while enriching many people in the process. 
But the informality of the structure has also led to financial loss for 
many others – no thanks to the reality of piracy. Also, the level of 
success that the industry has attained cannot be sustained, or 
augmented, unless its distribution network is improved.

There are various initiatives towards establishing an improved system of 
distribution, and theatrical and online distribution now present 
attractive and available options. However, various challenges exist in 
terms of establishing the required structural, regulatory and policy 
frameworks. The lack of funding also remains an unresolved question.

The proposed conference, organised by the Nollywood Studies Centre of 
the School of Media and Communication, is aimed at studying these 
issues. It is intended that the conference will create a forum at which 
the industry practitioners, academics, financiers and government 
officials will come together not only to discuss the key issues but, 
more importantly, to put forward workable solutions.

Possible topics for the conference include, but are not limited, to the 
following:

* International availability and circulation of Nigerian video films
* International sales agents and the cross border distribution of the 
Nigerian video film
* The creation of specialised distribution companies
* The role of film festivals in promoting distribution
* The economics and funding of distribution
* The continued economic viability of straight-to-video filmmaking
* The viability of alternative/informal modes of distribution
* The feasibility of online distribution in the Nigerian market
* Theatrical distribution as one characteristic of the touted ‘new 
Nollywood’
* Piracy
* The legal framework for defending intellectual property rights both 
nationally and internationally
* The mediating role of distribution
* The distribution framework of the National Video Film and Censors Board
* The regulation of distribution through state policy
* Distribution networks and the political economy of consumption patterns

Contributors should send in a 250-300 word abstract or panel proposal 
with their biographical details (full name, institutional affiliation, 
e-mail address and telephone numbers) on or before 15 April. 2014. 
Notification on acceptance will be sent by 10 May, 2014. The subject of 
the mail should be ‘Conference on Distribution 2014’ and be addressed 
to: Chioma Anokwuru - (canokwuru /at/ smc.edu.ng), and Tope Falade - 
(tfalade /at/ smc.edu.ng)




_____________________________________

Ikechukwu Obiaya
School of Media and Communication (SMC)
Pan-Atlantic University
2 Ahmed Onibudo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
+234 1 4616170-2, 2711617-20; Mobile: 234 8023694368
Email: (iobiaya /at/ smc.edu.ng) Website: www.smc.edu.ng




---------------
ECREA-Mailing list
---------------
This mailing list is a free service from ECREA and Nico Carpentier.
--
To subscribe, post or unsubscribe, please visit
http://www.ecrea.eu/mailinglist
--
ECREA - European Communication Research and Education Association
--
Postal address:
ECREA
Chaussée de Waterloo 1151
1180 Uccle
Belgium
--
Email: (info /at/ ecrea.eu)
URL: http://www.ecrea.eu
---------------