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[ecrea] CFP Distribution in the Nigerian Film Industry

Fri Jan 24 23:25:26 GMT 2014





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




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