The Berlinale Africa Hub returns for a second edition this February following its successful debut in Berlin last year, providing a venue for the exchange of ideas and contacts between African filmmakers and creatives. The initiative was launched last year as part of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and will make a second appearance at this year's movie-industry event. The Africa Hub, which runs from 16 to 21 February, aims at providing an active networking platform for African filmmakers and creatives to exchange ideas and discuss the film industry across the continent. Attendees will consider the industry's trends, potentials and visions, as well as innovations, developments and technological solutions, including the latest African cutting-edge VR productions. The Hub will include talks, presentations, panel discussions and a VR lounge, all taking place at Berlin's Gropius Park. "PopUp Offices are a new feature, which, for the first time, provide Berlinale Africa Hub clients with a location for meetings and conferences with other market participants," the Brelinale press release revealed. The presentations will include topics such as: Bilateral Treaties – When It Makes Business Sense to Co-Produce with South Africa; Developing Marketing Strategies to Finding New Partners and Distributors; Nollywood and the Birth of a Travel Film Festival; Positioning African Films in the International Market. Several other film-related presentations are listed on the Berlinale website. The website also lists a range of discussion topics on offer, tackling questions such as: Where is the African Market? – Outlook & New Trends; Re-imaging Africa: How to Sell a Continent; Africa & Acquisitions: Buying for a Continent, etc. There will also be a "Happy Hours" event from 16 to 19 February, between 5pm and 6pm, during which potential business partners will have an opportunity to network with new clients while enjoying a drink. The Berlinale Africa Hub is an initiative of the European Film Market (EFM) in cooperation with the World Cinema Fund, along with Berlinale Talents and the Berlinale Co-Production Market. The 68th Berlinale will take place between 15 and 25 February 2018.
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