Organisers are launching a new initiative to put film and televised content from sub-Saharan Africa front and centre during DISCOP Johannesburg, which is taking place from Wednesday, 25 October to Friday, 27 October at the Sandton Convention Centre.

A variety of campaigns will be deployed in the next six months to reach out to international broadcasters, pay-TV operators, streaming services, theatrical distributors, and sales agents seeking diverse and high-quality content.

This initiative underscores what has been a long-running commitment by the organisers to both showcase African homegrown content and develop co-production opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa.

With 267 of the 347 production and distribution houses in attendance last year, hailing from 36 African countries, DISCOP Johannesburg is already one of the largest gatherings of African content production and distribution executives under one roof.

“We proudly declared after DISCOP Johannesburg 2016 that African content is king,” says Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of Basic Lead and founder of the DISCOP markets. "While African content has long struggled to reach audiences outside the continent, the presence at last year's DISCOP Johannesburg of some of the major global streamers – the new kids on the buying block – proved that content 'Made in Africa' could be a disruptive force. There is an appetite for new projects with universal appeal and competition increases for fresh talent that can travel across all borders."

Thematic hubs will be set-up to showcase content 'Made in Africa', such as the Pavilion Francophone Africain which promotes independently produced French-speaking content, the Digital Lab Africa to spotlight innovations in virtual reality and 360-degree storytelling, and the Animation Village to welcome Africa's animators.

Nick Wilson, project manager of the African Animation Network, says, "The African Animation Network is delighted to continue to build on the animation presence at DISCOP markets. African animation creators are invited to compete in our pitching competitions (Annecy - MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde) and skills development programme (Annecy – MIFA Animation du Monde – Skills Programme) which are presented in partnership with the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. We're extremely excited to host delegates from across the continent representing the widest diversity of the African animation industry in line with the mantra 'Made in Africa'.

South Africa and Johannesburg will play a central role in the organiser's plans to turn DISCOP Johannesburg into the world's number one destination to source, acquire, and coproduce entertainment content 'Made in Africa'.

Germany will be officially welcome as DISCOP Johannesburg 2017's Guest Country, with a programme centred on the benefits of the existing co-production treaties between Germany and South Africa that covers both filmed and televised content.

For more information, visit www.discopafrica.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Twitter.