The five-day forum — the only one of its kind in Southern Africa — seeks to create a meeting place for film and video directors, distributors, and non-governmental organisations (NGO')s from the Southern African region, where they screen and debate their film and video productions. These productions cover a range of social, political and developmental issues, and they are made by both SACOD members and other filmmakers from the region.
This year's forum is set to attract 60 - 65 participants. During film sessions, participants view selected programmes and then discuss and listen to interventions from invited specialists, exchange experiences and establish new contacts. There is also a video bar, where small groups may view particular programmes that members may bring to the Forum.
The atmosphere of the SACOD Forum is non-competitive and constructive. It is important that the Forum remains primarily as a fountain of knowledge and practical training for SACOD members, and where members are able to use the meeting place for the exchange of ideas and project networking.
The Film Forum is followed by the two-day Communication for Development (C4DF) forum, which brings together communication for development practitioners and experts to discuss and develop a theoretical understanding and practical approaches to the use of audiovisual media for social change.
The C4DF has the following objectives:
The two-day programme comprises a keynote address, break-away sessions, plenary and screenings of relevant videos. Day One will be for showcasing of various communication models in Africa and Day Two is for the interrogation of those models using various frameworks.
With the exception of SACOD members, all participants are expected to meet their own flight and accommodation costs. SACOD shall provide lunches and dinners for the two days of the Forum. We shall also provide transport to and from the Cape Town International Airport. The venue for the C4DF is the St. Georges Hotel, while the Film forum takes place at the Artscape centre.
