Executive Summary Proposal for “African Film Workshop”
Needs: We need local government cooperation and approval of the project concept via a “letter of endorsement”. We request introduction to the administrators of the local Universities, to coordinate student participation, use of campus facilities for classrooms, production offices and temporary housing. We must arrange access to security, medical and first aid. We request assistance in arranging work and travel visas and in obtaining local transportation for visiting filmmakers and mentors. We would also appreciate introductions to local NGO’s and television stations.
Assets: We will provide award winning, experienced filmmakers and crew to mentor and teach film interns, access to film and editing equipment, and suppliers. We bring donors of equipment and funds for the project. We are guided by an international Advisory Board of film industry professionals, business persons and philanthropists. We have relationships with US Universities and Summer Abroad/ Student Exchange Programs in film and related specialties.
Timing: We will launch a pilot program in June (2008) in a single location.
Funding: Our estimated budget for our initial program is $500,000. We plan to raise 1/3rd of the budget from the charitable/private foundations, 1/3rd of the budget including equipment needs from corporate sponsors and 1/3rd in partnership with NGO's operating in the region. The program will be free for all African students. Senior filmmakers and crew will be paid from the film budget. Graduate student assistants will be paid expenses and a small stipend.
Distribution of Films: We intend to market the PSA’s to local (public and private) TV stations. We also hope to pre-sell the documentary about the project to U.S. and international television. We seek partnerships with NGO’S and other charitable organizations working in the region to distribute and screen the educational short films and PSA’s produced by the project filmmakers. One solution we will explore is use of internet distribution using the new XO ($100 ) Laptops ( see: www. laptop.org). Other distribution methods to be explored will be Filmaid.org and traditional DVD and VHS.
Follow-up and Private Sector Partnerships: We have begun to approach private sector partners about tying in an eco-tourism photo/film safaris and local film production companies as part of a potential business plan (with our film graduates serving as local "guides" and/or producers). We also hope to approach local and Pan-African TV stations for distribution and internship/training opportunities. It is very popular in the US and elsewhere for State and foreign governments to encourage local film industry development by "seeding" development will tax credits and other incentives (see, for example, http://www.entertainmentpartners.com/products_and_services/services/tax_incentives/). The film industry is a low impact /Green industry which can dovetail nicely with eco-tourism in Africa. It can help bring US and other environmental tourists to Africa who can become allies in helping Africa to reach the Millennium Development Goals.