More than 120 buyers have already registered for
DISCOP AFRICA 4, scheduled for September 1- September 3, in Nairobi, Kenya.
A statement issued and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday said DISCOP AFRICA 4, would focus on providing African producers
access to both the domestic and international marketplace, as organisers report a marked growth in demand from broadcasters looking for quality
content from African producers.
"The African Diaspora is growing and we are seeing more niche channels targeting this audience across Europe and North America," Cherise Barsell, DISCOP AFRICA Executive Manager said.
Organisers of DISCOP AFRICA, the most established TV market in Sub-Saharan Africa, said five channels from UK had already registered for
DISCOP AFRICA 4, with more international channels expected to register before September.
It said DISCOP AFRICA 4 would continue to host the hugely successful MADE IN AFRICA workshops, designed to create a dialogue between industry leaders and independent African producers on improving content quality, finding funding, and increasing distribution.
"Through our discussions, it became clear that the best way to increase the viability of African content was to focus directly on funding
and sales, which is exactly what we would do at DISCOP AFRICA 4," says Barsell.
The statement said from the sales perspective, independent African producers registered for DISCOP AFRICA 4 would be able to hold meetings and screen their content in the MADE IN AFRICA Pavilion.
They would also be offered advanced sales services, which include access to an on-line database of buyers and their content needs, and the possibility to post programmes to the DISTUBE on-line screening platform.
"Furthermore, all producers would have access to a professional workshop to help improve their sales skills," it added.
The statement said producers would also have access to funding opportunities, as the event hosted a co-production pitching session, which would see five qualified fiction producers selected to pitch their programmes to five international and Kenyan broadcasters and producers interested in African co-production opportunities.
It said about 2,500 participants are expected to participate in various DISCOP events organised in 2010, demonstrating the growing
importance of world regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East for audio-visual content business.
After 15 years of operating independently, DISCOP events have now partnered National Association of Television Programme Executives (NATPE) since 2005.
A global content marketplace for the digital world, NATPE is the only US-based destination for buyers and sellers.
Now in Miami Beach, NATPE is a catalyst in the content revolution providing thousands of chances to make one good deal.