YEO: There's No Money For Africa
Yesterday, I attended the SXSW Panel discussion on more expansive funding and world distribution of documentary films. Galen Yeo, creative director of Singapore-based The Moving Visuals Co. talked about global funding possibilities. He talked about the European documentary market (which is much larger and more diverse than the U.S. market) and funding partners in the European and Asian communities.
Given that I'm working on the first Zambian dramatic narrative feature, I was very interested in hearing about global funding and distribution. Galen offered the names of a number of African funding companies and entities. In a very casual way, at one point, Galen said, "Unfortunately, there is virtually no money for Africa. They just get too much bad press."
Of course, I'm thinking, "That's so unfair!" But, last night, I came home to the evening news to hear about how the armed horsemen (Janjaweed) in the Darfur region of Sudan are decimating neighboring Chad. I recall Walt Wussow, my college history professor, talking about how poverty and a lack of economic opportunity drive politics.
While all of this was disheartening I was surprised to notice that it only makes me more committed to helping develop the film industry in Zambia. Economic development is so critical. We can even see that in Iraq. The delay in developing industry, ensuring the delivery of power and water, and returning to normalcy is pushing the country to the brink of civil war. So many African nations are struggling to come UP to the Iraqi level of living. In my opinion, this is why it's so important that their stories enter the world cinema.
