Sunday 29 November from 9.30am to 6pm at the University of Westminster’s Africa Media Centre (AMC)
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
Tel: 020 7911 5000 ext 4298
Fax: 020 7911 5995
E-mail: journalism@westminster.ac.uk
Conference Team
Keith Shiri, Jane Thorburn, Winston Mano, Colin Sparks, Peter Goodwin, Geoffrey Davies, Maria Way, Brilliant Mhlanga, Helen Cohen, Rosie Thomas, Joram Ten Brink
