DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 presents The Next-Gen Programme

14/06/2017

--

DISCOP Johannesburg 2017 presents The Next-Gen Programme --

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 10:57

--

The sixth edition of DISCOP Johannesburg will be hosting South Africa s next generation of film and TV creators, producers and dealmakers. This year s events will take place from 25 to 27 October 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

New additions to DISCOP Johannesburg include a sidebar initiative dubbed, The Next Gen Programme.

The programme aims to guide and nurture the next wave of South Africa s talented producers and provide them with expert guidance and top-level industry networking opportunities to develop content and monetise entertainment content, explains Patrick Zuchowicki, founding manager of the DISCOP markets.

Developed with key industry associations; this thorough, intensive, and real-world programme will specifically focus on animated content, multi-platform short formats, Virtual Reality production and partnership opportunities with Germany.

A new partnership with the African Animation Network (AAN) was also announced and will ensure that up and coming animators are able to take part in the continent s only pan-African animation pitching competition planned with the support of Animation, Visual effects, Gaming, and Comics associations (AVGC).

Nick Wilson, project manager of AAN explains it further: True to the AAN s mandate, we provide AVGC associations across Africa with an open network and platform to market themselves at the DISCOP Abidjan and Johannesburg markets, the world s premiere destinations for content made in Africa. We re excited to explore the diversity of the African animation industry with the possibility of creating co-production and collaboration opportunities across borders and regions whilst simultaneously building capacity within the sector.

The development, production, and monetisation of short formats tailored to reach audiences via varied digital distribution streams will take centre stage. A pitching competition sponsored by mahala.tv a new distribution and funding platform and filmmaker community - will see a concerted outreach to independents, especially those creating short formats.

mahala.tv CEO and director, Gerhard Mostert has this to say about the partnership: To celebrate the launch of mahala.tv, and to promote the importance of short formats within the digital space, mahala.tv has partnered with DISCOP Johannesburg to put out a call for short format content that will be showcased at the 3-day industry gathering. mahala.tv is especially excited to be hosting the pitching competition and will be offering funding support to winners, as well as welcoming all independents to become part of a new global community of producers that will enable them to create, share, and monetise content.

DISCOP Johannesburg s Next Gen Program will also focus on the increasing potential of Virtual Reality, with the global augmented reality and VR markets expected to generate US$ 80 billion in revenues by 2020. Major broadcasters such as Arte, France Television, National Geographic, Discovery, ZDF, Sky, BBC, ABC and NBC are already searching for VR content.

As part of the programme, producers can attend a series of master classes, talks, and round-table discussions with leading VR producers who will share their forecast and their vision on what role Africa can play in the VR industry. A VR cinema hosted by INVR.SPACE will also allow participants to immerse themselves in Virtual Reality content.

S nke Kirchhof, CEO of the German VR studio, INVR.SPACE is pleased to host and curate the VR cinema at DISCOP Johannesburg. We are more than happy that our partner DISCOP Johannesburg is featuring Virtual Reality as a serious and promising topic and invited us to present a selection of the latest and most impressive cinematic VR content. We believe that VR can expand the limits of storytelling and can offer a new approach to cinematic experiences. As content from African continent and filmmakers is still rare, we are especially excited to host this VR cinema in South Africa and participate in a dialogue between German and African producers, shares Kirchhof.

The Next Gen Programme will further highlight how producers can use the South Africa - Germany film and television co-production treaties to their advantage; and how their cross-border co-operation incentives can deliver feature films, TV series, and documentaries that work around the world and would otherwise be impossible to finance.

When it comes to setting up international partnership, South Africa has an obvious advantage and offers one of the most effective co-production treaties. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to once again partner with DISCOP Johannesburg, in our efforts to increase relations between South Africa and Germany and enable the development and promotion of a transformed and thriving audio-visual industry in both countries, explains Peter Kwele, the NFVF head of marketing and communications.

Over 1 500 delegates representing multi-platform entertainment content businesses from across Africa and the globe will converge in Johannesburg for the 3-day affair. Participants come from over 70 countries and include distributors, acquisition and development executives, producers, and financiers.

Confirmed exhibitors for this year s event include: Fox, NBC Universal, BBC, ZEE Entertainment, CBS, Viacom, Lionsgate, Dreamworks, Televisa, Indiacast, Kanal D, Turner, TV5 MONDE, Deutsche Welle, NHK, CCTV, SkyVision, Telemundo, TV Azteca, ZDF, Paramount, Mondo TV, Global Agency and other leading film and television companies.

Over the years DISCOP Johannesburg has established itself as a pivotal destination for independent creators and producers seeking knowledge-transfer, funding, partnerships and distribution opportunities.

Related Articles

DISCOP Johannesburg aims h

LINK:	http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/festivals/1662791-DISCOP-Johanne...
	See more stories from screenafrica

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026