Africa Film WebMeeting


Message from: Dan Henrich (african-cinema-conference@XC.Org)
About: Re: FESPACO Distributor's award - worthwhile???

Fri, 10 May 1996 13:46:05 -0400


Originally from: DanHenrich@xc.org (Dan Henrich)
Originally dated: Fri, 10 May 1996 13:46:05 -0400

In a message dated 96-05-09 18:52:07 EDT, you write:

>It's difficult to say if it's worthwhile to create a new award for the
>distributors, but I would say that whatever is done for the better
>distribution is better than nothing. But why should for example
>California Newsreels be supported? There must be others
>who do better with fewer money.

Actually, I am surprised at how much is asked from this type of group for
video & film copies. I really wonder how the grass roots groups within
Africa
can afford $200-400 for a film that was originally made with foundation
support?

In Kenya our research shows that grass roots groups are willing to pay
$15-20
for a well produced social drama. Anything over that and they start looking
for some sort of donor support =OR= they borrow a copy and pirate it.

So, we offer all our titles in that range ($15-20) so that it is not so
great
to have a potential end user pirate it. We still offer the producer 10-15%
of
the sale and feel that the more the message gets out, the better. After all,
most of us actually produced our films for the grass roots audience and
=NOT=
the Universities in the west!

Comments?

DanHenrich@xc.org



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