From Namibian film promoter to DISCOP Africa

The 8th edition of DISCOP Africa TV Market is only two weeks away. The biggest TV market will take place from 06 to 08 November 2013 in Sandton, Johannesburg. Namibia is represented by the director of AfricAvenir Windhoek, Hans-Christian Mahnke. He has been invited as a speaker at a panel discussion looking at the “Inevitable disruption of television.”
Commenting on the demise of television, as propagated by many futurologists, the DISCOP Africa organisers said this panel discussion will consider the future of TV. “It’s the perfect storm. As consumers opt for new disruptive content distribution platforms, this session will feature three forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are leaving disruptive marks in traditional content delivery ecosystems. They will present their respective views of a future where independent producers and distributors will be able to compete and leverage novel distribution channels.”
 Mahnke will present to an international audience the idea and intention behind the Namibian Movie Collection, a project of the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre, JoeVision Production and AfricAvenir. Mahnke will furthermore represent filmmakers from Namibia who have entered into a commercial agreement with AfricAvenir to act as agent for their films. These specific films are The Power Stone by Andrew Botelle and Kelly Kowalski, Wanahepo – the return of a Namibian Hero by Per Sanden, Looking for Iilonga, Rider Without a Horse and Dead River by Tim Huebschle, Eembiti and Love Is by Perivi Katjavivi, Skymaster by Nghidipo Nangolo, Flight to Heaven by Virginia Witts, Born in Etosha Part 1 & 2 by Andrew Botelle and Robert Scott, Nda Mona by Richard Pakleppa, and Testimony. Breaking the Wall of Silence by Simon Wilkie. AfricAvenir advised that the films can be downloaded at http://www.africafilms.tv/.
At DISCOP Africa TV Market, about 1500 delegates at the forefront of film and TV business with and across Africa will be attending, including close to 200 producers operating in Africa, most from South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, and many seeking international partners.
Mahnke said, in order for AfricAvenir Windhoek to attend the biggest TV market on the African continent, support was given by the Filmmakers Association of Namibia (FAN), RBJ Trust (Namibia), the organizers of DISCOP TV Africa, Basiclead (Los Angeles), and Africa International Film Festival (Nigeria).