Africa Content Marketplace Launched for Afrocentric Films from African Producers

African film producers have a new dedicated content marketplace for Afrocentric films and TV shows to monetize content from across the continent.

Called ACOMART, a digital platform, the first-ever Virtual Screening Room for African films and series, where content buyers can explore the vast catalogue and make informed content acquisition decisions was launched early July.

It currently has over 15,000 hours of film and TV series content from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa available for licensing by platforms, broadcasters, airlines and other content buyers.

Faith Koli, Project Leader at Acomart, says it is challenging for producers to sell their content beyond their borders due to an absence of a robust distribution network that connects the regions and territories in Africa.

“The strength of the Acomart platform lies in its ability to accelerate and monetise content from across the continent in one place for easy access by buyers, thereby giving content producers access to new markets and stimulating demand – especially for content from under-explored territories which can now be localised for new audiences,” Koli said.

Film is economically important in Africa as it has the potential to create many jobs across the value chain of film making, but the industry still faces hurdles as it attempts to build a sustainable and profitable film industry – with many filmmakers unable to profit from their productions.

One of the platform’s objectives is ensuring the acceleration of content development and consumption. The platform will also be investing in the industry by launching a training and development arm, with the aim of creating a Content Production Hub where producers can receive technical training, coaching and mentoring.

“We are encouraging content producers and buyers worldwide to sign up at acomart.tv to load their content or view the available content to licence, while joining hands with other proud Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s creative economy post the Covid-19 pandemic,” Koli said.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua CEO – Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) said Kenyan content creators can utilize the platform to promote their content to potential buyers for job creation and industry growth. 

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ annual Entertainment and media outlook: South Africa – Nigeria – Kenya (Outlook) 2016-2020, Kenya’s cinema revenues are projected to reach $7.7 million in 2020 with the introduction of a highly competitive new tax incentive of 32% for foreign producers working in the country.