Factors determining annual trend of documentary film production in the country

• Budgetary constraints
• Red-tape and bureaucracy
• Understanding of film production / trained filmmakers
• Screening opportunities
• Piracy
• Digital technology has made filmmaking more accessible across Africa

According to the Ethiopian Film Producers Association (EFPA) 194 movies were produced in the years 2003-2009 with 75 of them produced in the last year, reflecting an upward trend.

Factors determining film length trends in the country

Film length will depend on subject matter treatment,

budgetary constraints, commissioning briefs, and the skills of the filmmaker.

Producers’ funding methods

• Self-funded
• Community fundraising using Kickstarter, a crowd-funding
• Official sponsorships
• Donations through PayPal
• Hosting events to raise money and promote any accompanying
• Filmmaking grants
• Commissions

Historical average budgets for short, long, and international feature length documentaries in the country

In 2004 the first locally produced feature film, the 105 minute Blue Horse was made on a budget of half a million Birr (roughly 20,000 EUR). It was directed and produced by Serawit Fikrie. MIDROC’s Kabe Plc was one of the film’s sponsors. Half of the budget was covered by another six sponsors:

• Central Medical College
• Awash Bank
• Awash Insurance
• Ararat Hotel
• Adica Car Rental
• MMD Hospital

Most successful producers

Most successful producers in the country have had some exposure in countries with a rich filmmaking traditions and industries. Aida Ashenafi for instance was schooled in the US as was Haile Gerima, and Salem Mekuria. Others, such as Zelalem Woldemariam, have astute business minds.

Local documentary production funding sources

• Self-funded
• Community fundraising using Kickstarter, a crowd-funding
• Official sponsorships
• Donations through PayPal
• Hosting events to raise money and promote any accompanying
• Filmmaking grants
• Commissions

Funding eligibility criteria used by local documentary funding sources

• Evidence of previous work
• Citizenship of Ethiopia

Submission requirements used by local documentary production funding sources for funding consideration

• Proposal applications, production budget
• Presentations, show-reels

Ownership issues in documentary film production

These are faced by filmmakers in common, but depend on the existence of laws recognizing intellectual property.

With the existence of such law, contractual terms will usually address these issues. In Ethiopia, such a law does exist as Copyright law.

Documentary film production ownership issues resolution methods and experiences

Failing contractual provisions or renegotiation, arbitration, or more personal appeals, judicial intervention will be sought.

Revenue allocation issues in documentary film production

These must be negotiated prior to contract. Basically these are about who gets how much, and when?

Documentary film production revenue allocation issues, resolution methods and experiences

Failing contractual provisions or renegotiation, arbitration, or more personal appeals, judicial intervention will be sought.

Agreements between fund sources and producers in documentary film production in the country

Internationally recognised standard contracts can apply with reference to the laws of the land.

Deliverables in documentary film production in the country

These will usually be in DVD formats and DV or HDV formats for broadcast.

Currently, filmmakers in Addis are working with DV format, though some of the production companies that can afford it have HD and HDV.

Reporting requirements during documentary film production in the country

If documentaries are commissioned, the Commissioning agreement will usually spell out any reporting requirements.

Most investors in film are small business people, and as such, they will be needing regular, informal reassurance that their money is being well spent.