AV Specialist - Africa Edition Vol 91 - (Page 29)

Warning : session_start : The session id contains invalid characters, valid characters are only a-z, A-Z and 0-9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 9 Warning : session_start : Cannot send session cache limiter - headers already sent output started at /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php:9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 9 Warning : Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by output started at /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php:9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 10 African film makers head west In February 2007 African filmmakers will gather in Burkina Faso for the twentieth annual Fespaco festival taking place in the countries’ capital, Ouagadougou. Operating under the theme: African Cinema and cultural diversity, the event incorporates both a festival and market, as well as discussion panels featuring African filmmakers and industry professionals. T he theme of cultural diversity has been at the heart of many discussions and has particular relevance for a film industry standing at the crossroads of economic, cultural and political interests in the globalization process. “By accelerating the expansion of digital technology, globalization is undoubtedly offering new opportunities to film and AV professionals across the continent,” says C. Sade Turnipseed, a US-based filmmaker working with the Fespaco organizers to promote the event on a global scale. “However, there’s no doubt that as globalization generates a movement of standardization of ideas, it equally shapes people’s real-life experiences, memories and consciousness, and endangers at the same time cultural diversity.” As Africans across the continent and the Diaspora become aware of the need to take ownership of their image, they demonstrate through their work their connection to their history, traditions, languages, philosophy and religions. Turnipseed asserts that new digital technologies allow African filmmakers to preserve their traditions and keep their identity. Standing by its commitments, Fespaco has resolved to encourage debate and reflection on the status of Africa’s audiovisual and film industry. “Film makers need to accept the responsibility of maintaining traditional cultures,” she says, “and the role of governments and international agencies needs to be understood. What legal mechanisms can be put in place to regulate the liberation of waves and to foster funding for endogenous productions? Discussions around these issues are of significant importance.” By adopting this theme, Fespaco intends to support the UNESCO convention ratified in October 2005, stipulating that each State has the supreme right to adopt, implement, preserve and develop cultural policies meant to ensure a space for the diversity of its own cultural creations and productions. “Innovation and creativity is as necessary for human beings as biodiversity for any living order,” she says. “It constitutes the common heritage of humanity.” 29 Warning : Unknown : The session id contains invalid characters, valid characters are only a-z, A-Z and 0-9 in Unknown on line 0 Warning : Unknown : Failed to write session data files . Please verify that the current setting of session.save_path is correct /var/lib/php/session in Unknown on line 0 http://www.barcocontrolrooms.com http://www.barcocontrolrooms.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AV Specialist - Africa Edition Vol 91

Table of Contents
Mobile TV set to challenge viewing habits
Planning for the multimedia church
Is Jesus the next killer app?
Will sports on mobile TV compete with the big screen?
IBC Awards for Innovation
SA doccie scoops Emmy

AV Specialist - Africa Edition Vol 91