By Ogova Ondego
Published June 30, 2017

nigerian film marketA market specialising in film, television and digital content distribution and co-production that closed shop in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in 2010 citing lack of support, is set to open a franchise in Nigeria in West Africa and Zanzibar in East Africa.

DISCOP markets says it is adding Zanzibar and Lagos to its existing markets in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

RELATED:DISCOP Africa Promotes Audiovisual Media Content-Development and Exhibition

While DISCOP Zanzibar that is expected to be held in 2018 in collaboration with Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) shall be “centered on East Africa’s fast-rising independent film, television and digital content production sectors”, Basic Lead, the organisers of the region-centric DISCOP markets, say DISCOP Lagos, to be held from 2019, will focus on Nigeria that they describe as “one of the world’s most promising entertainment single-market ecosystems alongside China, India and Indonesia.”

The logo of Zanzibat International Film Festival that celebrates 20 years in 2017

“Movies and TV programs have always been part of the fabric of the countries we cover with DISCOP. What is changing is the ability for broadcasters, pay-tv platforms, mobile operators and on-demand video services to monetize the consumption of entertainment content, and for local producers to feed an immense appetite for homegrown entertainment,” Says Patrick Zuchowicki, founder of DISCOP. “These countries will represent in the next five years 35% of global wholesale licensing revenues derived primarily from intra-regional trade. By then and with five DISCOP markets a year, we expect to draw 6,000 delegates, three times more than we do now.”

RELATED:More Questions Than Answers Characterise Movie Platform

While “DISCOP Zanzibar and DISCOP Lagos will have their own personality, format and agenda”, Zuchowicki says “cross-cultural bridges will be built between these two new markets and the ones in Abidjan, Dubai and Johannesburg. Identical research, promotional meetings and travel planning services will be provided to all delegates ahead of each market.”

Ngome Kongwe or the Old Fort in Stone Town, a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site, is the home of Zanzibar International Film FestivalThe inaugural DISCOP Zanzibar will take place during ZIFF 2018, creating what Basic Lead refers to as ‘the ultimate film, television, digital event in East Africa’.

says explains further, “This partnership is an important milestone for the development of the East African multi-platform entertainment content production industries,” says Fabrizio Colombo, Festival Director of ZIFF. “It will be instrumental in driving this often-neglected market forward. DISCOP Zanzibar will be a unique event, as unique as the island of Zanzibar itself.”

RELATED:Digital Art Exhibition and Puppet Theatre Performance Spring to Life as Nairobi Discusses Women in Politics

DISCOP Markets opening franchises in East Africa's Zanzibar and West Africa's NigeriaDISCOP was founded in 1991 with a focus on entertainment opportunities in former Soviet Union Republics. It says it now helps businesses to “buy, sell and coproduce multi-platform content in 115 fast expanding countries where new technologies, modern infrastructures and rising disposable income fuel growth.”

RELATED:Greater Investment in Local Networks Can Drive Broadband Data Explosion in Africa