Netflix, the World’s leading streaming entertainment service, has joined the Durban FilmMart as a new programme partner to the 11th edition of Africa’s premier film industry event which will host its virtual edition from 4 to 13 September 2020.
With 193 million paid memberships
in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, and feature films
across a wide variety of genres and languages, Netflix has, in recent times,
expanded their African content and distribution in line with global trends as
the consumption of content transcending borders increases.
Netflix lead for African
Originals,, Dorothy Ghettuba, and Director of Licensing and Co-Productions in
Africa, Ben Amadasun will present a session: Netflix: Made by Africans,
Watched by the World – Netflix on taking Africa’s stories to the
World in which they unpack Netflix content ecosystem as well as how
the team works with local creators to bring their stories to the global
streaming service.
Another panel, titled Africa’s
Future is Female – Women Filmmakers on Centering Women in our Narratives will
feature dynamic women creatives and producers in a conversation about
representation of African women’s narratives on popular media.
Since its 2016 launch on the
continent, Netflix has added hundreds of local licensed content from South
Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, Malawi and many other
African countries. In early 2018, Netflix announced its intention to”amplify
local voices to bring new, diverse and never-before-seen stories from Europe,
the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) to the world …believing that great stories
can come from anywhere and that some of the world’s best content creators are
in EMEA.” By doing this, Netflix nearly doubled the number of produced shows
and its investment since the previous year..
Since the announcement, Netflix
has added two Originals from South Africa to its offering with
the premiere of its first script-to-screen production, Queen Sono,
earlier this year, created by South African Kagiso Lediga,and starring Pearl
Thusi in the leading role as well as Blood & Water, a
young-adult series directed by Nosipho Dumisa and starring a diverse cast of
new and established talent like Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane.
Other originals announced by the service include JIVA! a
dance drama series from South Africa by Busisiwe Ntintili, an animated
series Mama K’s Team 4, a ground-breaking partnership
with Nigeria’s Mo Abudu for multiple originals and licensed projects and a
yet-untitled six-part original series by Akin Omotoso. Lediga and Omotoso will
feature in a panel discussion at DFM about their journeys in making their
series for Netflix. In addition, Nosipho Dumisa will feature in a discussion
around African storytelling.
“We know that great storytelling
transcends borders. We have seen this is the success of both our original and
licensed series, films and documentaries,” says Amadasun. “These stories from
different countries, languages, and cultures are finding a worldwide platform,
expanding our local filmmakers’ and talents’ audience base. We are really
pleased to be partnering with the DFM, as it brings us closer to the African
creative community with whom we can engage, exchange knowledge with and
possibly partner with to create great African stories that will be watched by
the world.”
“Netflix is one of the most
significant role players in the development of the film industry on the
continent, and the world, and its reach is expanding exponentially, so we are
delighted that they are partnering with us to share their insights with African
filmmakers at the DFM,” says Toni Monty, Head of the DFM. “This is a great opportunity
for independent professionals and emerging filmmakers to understand Netflix’s
vision for African stories, and how it drives, creates, and selects content.”
The DFM takes place online and
registration is open at this link: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/Brave-New-Cinema-2020.aspx
