About us
about mIPAD
A Decade Dedicated to People of African Descent
The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is a global civil society initiative in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (UN IDPAD), proclaimed to be observed from the years 2015 till 2024 in-line with three pillars; RECOGNITION, JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT.
Focusing our efforts on the pillar of RECOGNITION, MIPAD publishes global lists that identify high achievers of African descent worldwide.
In support of the United Nations declaration of 2021 as the International Year for the Creative Economy and Sustainable Development, we recently recognized the Top 100 Creatives of African Descent, as well as 21 key Contributors to the creative economy. It is also upon this backdrop that we’re taking our mandate a step further to host the first-ever Digital Film Market exclusively connecting Creatives of African Descent to greater opportunities as they tell authentic stories.
MIPAD is led by a vibrant and dedicated
Executive Council headed by Kamil Olufowobi, a ‘connectologist’ and global
affairs expert, along with several global directors working tirelessly to
showcase and uplift black excellence across the world.
about mIPAD dFM
The Digital Films Market
The MIPAD Digital Film Market (MIPAD-DFM) is an international film trade forum exclusively designed for content and creatives of African Descent. Our Film Market presents a rich buffet of opportunities to finance, sell and acquire films within a massive network of key business professionals across the movie industry, with a vision to elevate profitability for black film craft and storytelling while strengthening cultural connections amongst people of African descent.
MIPAD-DFM is poised to host a wide array of
seasoned film executives, sales professionals, and film creators of African
descent to 4 exciting days of stimulating panel discussions and fireside chats,
networking opportunities, movie screenings, as well as pitching and bidding
forums that culminate in sealing the right deals!
The Program
The market is the nucleus of the entire
event, with over 200 production and distribution companies present, meeting
with screen writers in one-on-one and group sessions for the purpose of
acquisitions of completed film projects and those in the ideas stage.
The Keynote: Look forward to a riveting keynote address to be delivered by an incredibly experienced frontliner in the film industry.
Panel Sessions and workshops: Expect to
gain new knowledge and deeper insight into current and emerging industry topics
as you listen to and interact with industry experts and thought leaders in engaging
panel sessions and workshops.
Exhibitions: Accredited exhibitors (production and distribution companies) get to showcase the successes of past and current projects, in order to attract new and profitable partnerships. We invite you to book your exhibition spot early to ensure that your excellent work gets the attention it deserves.
Screenings: About 100 films submitted from over 20 countries will be available for on-demand screening while the market is on. Yours may just be that compelling story that grabs the attention of the perfect buyer.
Networking Sessions: Make meaningful connections with like minds at our networking sessions, strategically scheduled during breaks to allow for rich discussions and profitable collaborations.
Pitching and bidding Forums: Filmmakers and
creators will get in the room with prospective financiers, buyers, and
production companies for a chance to present a compelling pitch. Films that do
exceptionally well at screening will also present buyers with a chance to bid
for them.
The Market Structure
The core market will host buyers and
sellers from over 50 countries, securing access by obtaining market badges for
ease of identification and smoother transactions.
Sellers
Screenwriters and filmmakers are regarded as sellers and are required to get registered.
If you have a story already written, just begging to be told or have gone ahead to produce it in film, then be sure submit them within the project submission window to allow for panel reviews and possible project acceptance ahead of the main event. Projects are welcome in the following categories/genres;
• Documentaries
• TV series
• Short films
• Long form movies
• Animation
Buyers
MIPAD DFM welcomes Digital Content Platforms, Production Companies, Distribution Companies, Independent Financiers and Television stations to participate as buyers.
If you are representing any of these entities, get registered and duly accredited to book your spot and receive an Acquisitions Market Badges.
To secure Accreditation, submit a brief
company/business profile, citing your company’s work in the film industry over
the past 3 years along with relevant up-to-date licenses if any. Ensure that
you also provide a website or portfolio page link for proper references.
Advertising
Advert placement slots are available throughout the event in the form of Email banners, Podcast mentions, Pre-screening ads, Pre-panel session ads, Ad crawlers, Sliding website banners etc.
With a diverse audience of over 500 professionals from various aspects of the film industry, your brand is guaranteed access to the right kind of visibility and reach, depending on the advertising package you choose.
To request for the MIPAD DFM Advertising package, send an email to
Fostering Cultural Connections for Commerce in film
AUGUST 23- 26, 2022
You have an authentic story just waiting to be told… and the world is now your stage.
Submit a 1-page synopsis of your film, and a 1 or 2-minute production trailer showing the most compelling scenes if your production is complete.