Factors determining annual trend of documentary film production in the country

Documentary film production in the Seychelles is mainly by commission either from government agencies, NGOs, or private corporations. This means that funding emerges as the single most important factor influencing the trend of documentary film production in the Seychelles. The availability of qualified filmmakers is also a great handicap.

However, some local festivals such as the Kreol and SUBIOS Festival have filmmaking competitions which may boost local documentary film production.

The Seychelles with its 85,000 inhabitants scattered over more than 100 islands have almost no recorded cinematic history.

Factors determining film length trends in the country

Factors include subject matter, audience, and funding.

Given the location of the islands and difficulty of getting equipment there, the costs of any production are likely to be higher per hour of production than other countries in the region.

Producers’ funding methods

Commission funded, self-funded

Producers’ documentary film production budget estimation methods

These methods do not differ from commonly accepted practice, but with self-funded projects budget estimating methods are not likely to be rigorously applied.

Most successful producers

• Producers such as David Savy, and Gilbert Poole have been engaged in providing a wide variety of services such as wedding video, corporate video, and filming production management for foreign crews, which have supported their own productions to some
• Yves Maurel Video Productions creates wedding and event videos, short films and Yves Maurel Video Productions, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, Tel: +248 547504, yvesmaurel@ seychelles.net

Local documentary production funding sources

Funding sources for documentaries produced in the Seychelles tend to be NGOs and government agencies promoting something.

Funding eligibility criteria used by local documentary funding sources

Most commissioning sources will tend to look for experienced videographers. There are no documentary film funds operating in the Seychelles as such.

Ownership issues in documentary film production

Seychellois copyright laws are in force.

Documentary film production ownership issues, resolution methods and experiences

Failing voluntary negotiations or contractual arbitration, the civil arm of the judicial system would need to be resorted to.

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

When commissioned to carry out some audio-visual works in the Seychelles, contracts enforceable under the Laws of Seychelles apply.

Deliverables in documentary film production in the country

The documentary works commissioned are required to be of TV broadcast quality if commissioned by the government. The government controls the only national broadcaster, the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, and would likely air such works on TV.

Current professional development methods in the country

Permanent film training programmes do not yet exist in the Seychelles. Professionals that wish to develop professionally will currently do so through either informal mentorships at their place of employment or overseas institutions.

Professional development service providers for the filmmaking community in the country

Some professional development for producers can be obtained from the Seychelles Institute of Management. For filmmakers such as directors, editors, cinematographers, scriptwriters such service providers do not exist generally. The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation does have a training unit, but only for its employees.

Film schools in the country

There is no film school in the Seychelles.

Documentary film production training programmes in the country

There are no documentary film production training programmes in the country apart from the one provided in-house at the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation.

Film festivals in the country

Since 1989 the SUBIOS festival has been an annual underwater film and image (photography) festival organised on the islands. The Photography and Videography contests run year round, and are open to entries from around the world. The Film & Image Competition itself, an ever-popular component of the SUBIOS Festival, assembles well-known filmmakers and photographers from abroad together with local diving experts and speakers to provide a vibrant ambiance and, of course, an interesting film and image contest whose winners are decided by public vote.

The Seychelles Festival Kreol is the biggest event in the Seychelles and films in the categories of fiction, documentary and animation may be submitted.

Business management schools in the country

Seychelles Institute of Management

Journalism schools in the country

The Seychelles Institute of Management with the help of UNESCO has launched a part-time course targeting practicing journalists.

Previously there was no institution offering media training locally, apart from a training unit within the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) that offered training to its employees only.

Technical schools in the country

Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) offers post-secondary education and training programmes at Certificate, Diploma/Advanced Diploma Level.

The courses cater to the needs of people who require initial training and upgrading principally in vocational areas for personal and professional development and advancement.

Local advocacy groups operating in the country and their issues

There are about 80 NGOs in Seychelles. The NGO sector in Seychelles is relatively young and in the process of development. NGOs in Seychelles are, in fact, still pioneers breaking new ground and finding and establishing their rightful place and role in society.

A major landmark in the development of NGOs in the Seychelles was the formation, in 1989, of the Liaison Unit for Non Governmental Organisations (LUNGOS). LUNGOS was set up to facilitate, and where appropriate, coordinate NGO activities without in any way undermining the essential independent nature of such organisations.

Within the health sector, several NGOs have been very active in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness.

Through the action of several NGOs there have been significant campaigns to improve healthy living and surroundings, address problems of drug abuse and delinquency in young people, as well as the welfare of children.

Gender-based violence and other gender issues in the home and in workplaces have also been actively promoted by several NGOs.

The focus has been especially with respect to rights issues, the importance of fatherhood for a prosperous society, and improving the recognition of women in the workplace.

NGOs targeting youth are also active, with the most successful ones focusing on sports and environment. Numerous activities are organised.

Within the environment sector, all NGOs are active, primarily in the area of conservation and environment education.

A globally threatened endemic species recovery programme initiated and coordinated by an NGO, and implemented in partnership with the Government of Seychelles and private island owners, has rescued the critically endangered Seychelles Magpie Robin from immediate danger.

Another NGO has been involved in the management of an island reserve for over twenty years, building a research database which is vital for future management of not only the island concerned but other sites.

A marine conservation NGO is currently undertaking pioneering work on whale sharks ecology, an area not covered by existing conservation programmes. It is expected that important conservation knowledge and capacity will be generated from this study.

NGOs have also played a catalytic and important role in advancing conservation education in the Seychelles, with the production of various teaching aids, manuals and information leaflets. The NGO sector has access to the national media and uses it frequently and effectively.

Documentary and news archives in the country

http://www.sna.gov.sc/overview.aspx

Seychelles National Archives is the official guardian of historical and government documents, including videos. Many different people and organisations use the materials held at this institution.

Laws and regulations governing the distribution of documentary films in the country

• Chapter 78A Film Classification Board Act
• Chapter 29 Cinematograph Film Censorship Act
• Chapter 51 Copyright Act

Laws and regulations governing audience-building for documentary films in the country

• Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act
• Act 36, Seychelles Media Commission Act

Audience-cultivation strategies used in the country

• TV advertising with trailer spots
• Newspaper Advertising
• Radio Advertising
• Word of mouth

Social movements in the country and nature of engagement with local documentary filmmakers

• Kreole Cultural re-awakening
• The Kreol Festival of Seychelles introduced a filmmaking festival with a documentary filmmaking

African civil society groups in the country and nature of engagement with local documentary filmmakers

In Seychelles, there are about a hundred organisations which can be classified as NGOs. These legally registered organisations are not-for-profit, voluntary- based operating independently from Government.

Most of the active NGOs are accredited members of the Liaison Unit of Non-Governmental Organisations of Seychelles (LUNGOS), the umbrella organisation established in 1990. http://www.civilsociety.sc

Issues concerning distribution rights in each distribution channel

• Only one TV broadcaster which is controlled by the Government.
• Broadband Internet is not yet fully accessible to all
• Mobile telephone has extremely deep penetration in Seychelles (over 100%!).

Prevalence of copyright piracy of film in general and documentary works in particular in the country

The Film Unit is very active in Seychelles, protecting film copyrights so piracy isn’t so prevalent on the islands, (though perhaps on the surrounding high seas!) The low population of Seychelles keeps piracy levels very low.

Measures in place to deal with copyright piracy in the country and their effectiveness

The government department, Film Unit, has the mandate to vet the authenticity of all audio-visual products coming into market in the Seychelles.

Internet usage by local documentary filmmakers

Filmmakers have promoted themselves and their work on the internet. Some films are even posted on YouTube and other video uploading sites. Internet penetration is over 50%, which is very high for the region.

Political sensitivities

Opposition politics.

Modes of communication between local documentary filmmakers and funding sources

Cable and Wireless Company provides the islands with basic fixed line and mobile telecommunications. Other players include AirTel.

Channels of communications that allow private exchange of information in the country

Face-to-face communications, telephone, email communications.

Information sources used by local documentary filmmakers on various aspects of documentary production in the country

This is through the network of videographers and editors on the island.

Kinds of information that local documentary filmmakers would benefit from being in a directory or guidebook

This guidebook should cover all aspects of the industry, but particularly on markets outside of Seychelles.