Emerging Markets in Digital Media, Indie Film Scene and Digital Technology - by L. Kazmi, UW MCDM 2009

Digital Technology Enabling Independent Filmmakers Country Case Study: Pakistan By Laila Kazmi Emerging Markets in Digital Media, UW MCDM, 2009

Film: As a source of economic and social development “ For so long, film as a form of expression had been taken away from us.” – Naveen Qayyum, filmmaker, Talking Faith, 2007 Creative Outlet Shape Perceptions Economic Opps For Many Foster Dialogue Entertainment Film “ Films allow people to dream… Ask an average Pakistani what is it that they dream about.” – Sabiha Sumar, director, Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters), 2003 ; Dinner With the President, 2008

Decline of Pakistani Cinema 1960s – ‘Golden age of cinema’ 1947 – Partition from India, Pakistan-based industry looses talent to the Bombay 1965 – India and Pakistan ban each other’s films after going to war 1971 – East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh, more film talent gone 1979 – Islamization of Pakistan begins under General Zia 1980s – Stigma of immorality attached to film industry, families stopped going to theater, cinema houses closed down, VCR create market for pirated Indian movies 1990s - Cinema in Pakistan is almost dead 2000s -The Internet and Digital technology pave the way for a new generation of filmmakers

Digital Technology Global Audience Internet Role of Technology Wide availability of digital media tools: Internet access, Digital Cameras, Video Editing Software

Role of Digital Technology “ The instant feedback from audiences from around the world has been amazing.” – Mehreen Jabbar, director, Ramchand Pakistani , 2008 “ The Internet has been vital in publicizing Talking Faith. Actually, we put the film on our Website because we didn’t get a distributor. So most of our viewers have come over the Internet. ” – N. Qayyum “ We weren’t allowed to use walkie talkie during the filming of Dinner with the President . So we couldn’t have gotten by without mobile devices. The crew has to be able to communicate quickly.“ – S. Sumar “ Having the laptop with us on the shoot, we were able to dump footage onto it after each scene and review how it turned out.” – N. Qayyum “ I have gotten messages from people all over the world who have either seen the film or want to see the film. “ – M. Jabbar

The Conflict Trap:
Division of India
Kashmir Conflict
(wars: 1947, 1965)
Bangladesh War, 1971
Cold War Ally, 1979-1989 (Soviet-Afghan war)
Kargil Conflict, 1999
War on Terror, 2001- present
Bad Government Trap:
Alternate civilian and military governments
Marred by successive corrupt governments
Little chance or effort for economic development
Do Paul Collier’s Poverty Traps Apply? Direct impact on the film scene: Lack of government support led to decline of cinema Filmmakers and film festivals limited by govt beauracracies Kara Film Festival cancelled twice due to violence, lost sponsors `

Key Players: - Foreign producers funding documentaries - GEO TV, private cable channel - Pakistani filmmakers, both local and from the diaspora - Kara Film Festival: Partnerships and Local Champions
Providing a platform to indie filmmakers
Bringing foreign artists and filmmakers to Pakistan
LIDF Filmmaking for Social Change 2009:

Applying Prahalad’s Consumer Model: Market is there: Rich or poor, everyone will go to see films if the environment is suitable and films are relevant Co-operation across sectors: government + private investment + comprehensive and quality education in film + NGOs Still many impediments to success Investment Government Initiatives Educational Institutes Post-production Facilities Road to success:

One outlet offering a wide range of opportunities : Producers, cinematographers, writers, directors, actors, distributors, set designers, musicians, cinema owners, film institutes, production studios, etc. Chance for economic, as well as artistic development for many The End Gain?

Ramchand Pakistani , 2008, Dir: Mehreen Jabbar Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters) , 2003, Dir: Sabiha Sumar Victoria Ka Ticket (Ticket of Victoria), 2007, Dir: Muhammad Saife Hasan, available at: http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/793/Victoria-Ka-Ticket (Note: Don’t read the last two lines of the synopsis, contains spoiler) Khuda Key Liye (In the Name of God) , 2007, Dir: Shoaib Mansoor Zibahkhana (Hell’s Ground) , 2007, Dir: Omar Khan - For those interested in gory, zombie flicks Some recommendations, available online via as streaming video

Prahalad, C.K. The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profit . New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 2006. Collier, Paul. The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2007. Pearce, Patrick. “Blogging the London International Documentary Festival: Youth Voices From Pakistan.” The Independent .15 April 2009. < http://www.independent-magazine.org/magazine/2009/04/lidfblog3 > Zakir, Fatima. “Kara Film Festival Postponed to 2009.” The News on Sunday: INSTEP . 02 Nov 2008. < http://jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2008-weekly/nos-02-11-2008/instep/article1.htm >. Zakir, Fatima. “Kara Film Festival Postponed to 2009.” The News on Sunday: INSTEP . 02 Nov 2008. < http://jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2008-weekly/nos-02-11-2008/instep/article1.htm >. Resources

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Emerging Markets in Digital Media, Indie Film Scene and Digital Technology - by L. Kazmi, UW MCDM 2009

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Emerging Markets in Digital Media, Indie Film Scene and Digital Technology - by L. Kazmi, UW MCDM 2009 — Presentation Transcript