Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 280 26 January 2018
Top Story
Skyrink Studios wants to become South Africa’s first independent black-owned Film and TV studio facilities in Johannesburg
26 January 2018
A major new production facility has opened in Johannesburg and it’s setting out to become South Africa’s first independent Black-owned Film and TV studio facilities. Russell Southwood spoke to Miles Britton-Masekela, Executive Director about how it came about and what’s planned. With Government investment, Skyrink Studios wants to become a major production and post-production facility. Russell Southwood spoke to Miles Britton-Masekela about what’s on offer and the company’s ambitions. The team behind Skyrink Studios are Frank Mohapi, Marvin Mathibe and Miles Britton-Maekela, who are also its own owners Frank is described as having “massive experience in government projects and initiatives…
Broadcast
29th Palm Springs Int’l Film Fest Names ‘Félicité’ As Best Foreign Language Film
26 January 2018
The Senegalese film Félicité won the FIPRESCI Best Foreign Language Film of the Year to highlight the 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) juried award winners, who were…
Broadcast
South African movie The Wall nominated at 3 American festivals
26 January 2018
South African movie The Wall has been nominated at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, Houston Black Film Festival and at the Garden State Film Festival in the USA.…
Broadcast
Queer feminist film fest wows Khayelitsha
26 January 2018
LGBTI activists Wanelisa Xaba with Funeka Soldaat (right) and Wandile Dhlamini during a panel discussion at the first Queer Feminist Film Festival. The festival was jointly hosted by the African…
Broadcast
This Kenyan Short Film Has Been Nominated for an Oscar
26 January 2018
'Watu Wote' is based on the real-life events of the 2015 Mandera bus attack. Kenyan film Watu Wote has been nominated for an Oscar award for Best Live Action Short…
Broadcast
"Little By Little"at Film Forum, New York
26 January 2018
Film Forum will soon be hosting the screening of Jean Rouch's 1970 film, "Little By Little." A sequel to his previous film, Jaguar, the movie takes Rouch's Nigerien collaborators Damoure…
Content
Inexba hits international awards tally of 19 and shows no sign of slowing down
26 January 2018
Nakhane, star of South African film ‘Inxeba’ (‘The Wound’) has won the FIRPRESCI prize for best actor in a foreign language film at the 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film…
Content
SA’s own chick-flick Susters on release in March
26 January 2018
Cinema lovers have something special to look forward to this March – the release of South Africa’s very own ‘chick flick’ Susters! Susters is directed by Corne Van Rooyen (Hollywood…
Content
Nigeria: UNILAG TV to begin operation in February
26 January 2018
The University of Lagos, UNILAG television station will begin operations in February to facilitate research-oriented education and ease communication within and outside the university community. The Vice-Chancellor of the…
Content
SA Films shine on global stage
26 January 2018
South Africa has scored an Oscar nomination at the 90th Academy Awards for the animation film Revolting Rhymes, produced by Triggerfish, which received a nomination in the category Best Animated…
Content
Hollywood's Cool Kids To Star In Sibs Shongwe-La Mer's New Film
26 January 2018
Award-winning South African film maker Sibs Shongwe-La Mer has announced the lead actors for The Sound of Animals Fighting, his second feature, and theyre a veritable whos who of Hollywoods…
Content
Yadah TV on DStv platform
26 January 2018
Yadah Television has joined the DStv platform and will be viewed on Channel 281 from Thursday this week. Prophet Walter Magaya said a number of programmes that include teachings, testimonies…
Content
In brief
26 January 2018
Guangzhou Automobile Company (GAC Motor) (www.GAC-Motor.com), one of the top five biggest Chinese automobile manufacturers, has secured the exclusive rights for the flagship Forbes Africa television show, My Worst Day…
Distribution
StarTimes lists Hausa channel, Arewa24 on its platform
26 January 2018
Pay TV provider, StarTimes Nigeria said it has listed a Hausa language channel Arewa 24, on its platform, to grow the population of its Hausa subscribers. Arewa 24 showcases entertainment,…
Distribution
Mike Tyson’s ‘China Salesman’ Bought for North America
26 January 2018
Cleopatra Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the adventure “China Salesman,” starring Mike Tyson, Steven Seagal, Dong-Xue Li, Janicke Askevold, Li Ai, and Eriq Ebouaney, Variety has learned exclusively.…
Distribution
Iflix In Africa Gets Exclusive Run On The Run-Away Serial 'Britannia'
26 January 2018
It is being reported that the blockbuster drama series from UK's Sky TV will be exclusive to Iflix Africa. Owned by Malaysia-based Iflix - operating in around 25 countries globally…
Technology & Convergence
Regional focus: Middle East & Africa Sub-Saharan Africa set for world's fastest TV growth but low incomes hamper digital switch
26 January 2018
With many in the broadcast equipment sector flocking to Dubai for CABSAT, the IABM has produced a regional report on the Middle East and Africa. The Middle East and Africa…
Technology & Convergence
Zimbabwe - International film jamboree live streaming
26 January 2018
Rooftop Promotions will live-stream the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) as it premieres in the country from January 26 to February 4 at Theatre in the Park with the support…
Regulation & Policy
Zimbabwe - Government urged to establish film commission
26 January 2018
Harare – The Zimbabwe Film Industry Development Platform (ZFIDP) has proposed measures aimed at reinvigorating the Zimbabwean film and media industry and is appealing to Government to establish a film…
Regulation & Policy
So who actually owns the Fassie music rights?
26 January 2018
Did musician-producer Sello Chicco Twala bite off more than he could chew by claiming he owns 75% of Brenda Fassie's music? This is a question experts in the music industry…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: Trace TV Denies Charging Nigerian Artists to Play Videos
26 January 2018
African cable platform, Trace, has denied demanding money from Nigerian artistes before playing their music videos on its channels. Several artistes have accused the entertainment channel of charging fees to…
Regulation & Policy
Wesgro joins Africa Film Commissions Network
26 January 2018
Cape Town and the Western Cape's Official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency announces that two employees in their Film and Media Promotion Unit Monica Rorvik and Lisa Mini have…
Investment
Modern Times Group sells 75% of Trace to investment firm
26 January 2018
Modern Times Group (MTG) said it has agreed to sell its 75 percent stake in Trace Partners SAS to investment company TPG Growth, as part of MTG's strategic transformation. The…
Investment
Netflix looking for business partners in South Africa
26 January 2018
Netflix is excited to see the rollout of fibre networks in South Africa and is looking for business partners to increase the accessibility of streaming video platforms. The company told…
Investment
Turner chooses Mediamark as media sales representative for its key TV channels in South Africa.
26 January 2018
Mediamark has announced it will be media sales representative for turner. This partnership will offer Mediamark clients access to advertising solutions on the iconic, high-quality channels: TCM – Powered by…
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Opportunities
26 January 2018
KZN Film Commission invites producers to apply for funding for CTIAF 2018 The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC) is calling for applications from local film producers to be part of its…
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Events
26 January 2018
This event section provides a selection of major events in the audiovisual sector related to Africa and black culture: conferences, seminars, film festivals, trade shows. To advertise your event on this…