Business sector, Nollywood

The Nigerian film industry, commonly referred to as Nollywood grew rapidly in the 1990s and 2000s to the worlds second largest film industry in terms of annual number of film produced. Thirty to fifty new titles storm the Nigerian market stalls as VCDs every week with a minimum of 50.000 copies per production, also selling about 2 dollars per copy. Within the past five years, the establishment of about 5 major cinemas within the country proved to be very lucrative for Nollywood productions. Further new screening channels are on the rise due to rapid telecommunication growth within and outside the continent. Nollywood films are widely consumed in Europe targeting African diasporas through online screening communities and mobile devices. Hala Gorani and Jeff Koinange formerly CNN employees, discribe Nollywood as a $ 250 million industry. Most films are produced by independent companies and established distributors. The industry has successfully taken its ground as the countries second largest employee after the Nigerian oil industry. (UNESCO 2009). Due to its lucrativeness and access to millions of Nigerians as well as Africans, the industry holds the potential to bridge the gap between politics, social, cultural and economic issues on local, international and global level.

Investment

SEFI applied in the film business sector is launched as the Investment chain comprising of several Investment circles. An investment chain has a life time of 5 years. Our production goal is to launch at least three investment circles within one chain. Investment circles starts with training of target recipients, continues with co-producing one film, moves on to its Marketing and distribution and ends with revenue acquisition. SEFI works with Representative Investment vouchers called Gross Recipient Investors Happiness GRIH vouchers. GRIH Vouchers represent target recipient Life standard progress, determined based on the archievments of our social goals. In other to launch an investment chain, GRIH vouchers are released for purchase based on the specific calculated monetary capital needed to launch the first circle. Acquired Revenues from the first Investment circle are reinvested in as much subsequent possible circles within an Investment chain of 5 years. An expired Investment chain provides capital (in form of low-interest business loans) to launch an Independent film business cooperative managed solely by target recipient.

Investing

GRIH vouchers are open for purchase to cooperate bodies and individuals who identify with our social goal and philosopy. GRIH Vouchers are purchased with money. Exceptions are recognized where the monetary value of specific product and/or service investments can be adequately determined. Purchased vouchers could be used to allocate specific product placement offers during every investment circle implemented within a specific investment chain in which the investment was made. Unconsumed vouchers could be exchanged, on expiration of an investment chain, for its monetary value equivalent. GRIH vouchers holders are entitled to dividend share of 20% profit calculated as highlighted beneath. Profit margins depends on acuired revenues from produced film and supporting products.

Film als Instrument

In general, Films have taken on an important mediator role in our societies. They make social, cultural, political and economical issues visible beyond geographical boarders. New technologies and globalization has migrated Nollywood films to Europe. Collaboration with the European film industry would create access to new market. Producing one film creates months of full and parttime employment for over 40 individuals from both African and European industries, therefore consistent investment circles would create new employment channels. SEFI produced Films have special and specific characteristics that brands them as an instrument to pursue our social goals. They are Message carriers - transporting specific themes to raise awareness on human rights related matters. Best practice Medium production design take seriously the environmental issues and gender equality into consideration, Medium for sustainability through intensive mainstream marketing strategy, financial revenues needed to manage and sustain SEFI is generated. Platform for knowledge Exchange through co-productions, the exchange of practice oriented professional knowledge between African and European audiovisual professionals is fostered.

Target Recipient

Target recipients are young Nigerian women vulnerable to be trafficked or smuggled to Europe. They lack employment, access to education, training, stably income etc. They may be victims of violence and/or are ignorant about the luring promises of human traffickers and smugglers. A maximum of 20 young women are admitted as recipients during a single Investment Chain. 4 selected recipients would receive an interest-free Loan to acquire a 4 months intensive profession-based training in 4 major film sectors namely; Production & screening, Sound & Light, Make up & Hair and lastly costume design and management. After completing training, recipients gradually progress from being interns during the first investment circle to profession qualified staffs at the last investment circle in the fifth year. Recipients are riembursed with stable salary covering basic health insurance throughout an Investment chain. A total of 4 new recipients covering respective sectors, are additionally admitted into every subsequent investment circles starting from the second. With the production goal to launch a minimum of 3 circles within an Investment chain, a total minimum number of 12 women would be empowered by one investment chain. Empowered women would launch an Independent Film Business Cooperative mentored by SEFI after the expiration of their specific Investment chain. Target recipients shall comply with specific guiding principles, including SEFIs philosophy, aimed to foster self discipline, self dependence and self sustainability.

Basics

Production is managed by SEFI Management board together with field experts and professionals from the Austrian and Nigerian industry. Specific production sectors would be implemented by renowned professionals. These include Camera, directing, acting and screenplay. Films produced would undergo intensive marketing plans targeting young audiences in African and in Europe. Our first film would be a feature film technically and artistically suitable for cinematic viewing. Revenues derived are dedicated to Launch new investment circles. After the life time of an Investment chain, Target recipients are mentored and financed with a low-interest business loan to launch and manage an Independent Film business Cooperative, IFBC. SEFI may manage multiple Investment chains and/or circles within the film industry sector or other businesses. Models to adapt SEF initiative to suit other industry sectors such as agriculture, textile, energy, health care and education would be designed through resources accumulated in the reserve and innovative pot of the funds. See page 7.

Thank you for reading! We are glad to inform you in details about the SEFI and our up coming Investments possibilities.

Social Entrepreneuship Fund Initiative Joana Adesuwa Reiterer, Executive Director, RoDoStudios e.U./Ltd. office@rodostudios.com +43 (0) 650 330 8521 www.rodostudios.com
RoDoStudios e.U., Austria Florisdusgasse 50/2/2, 1210 Vienna, Austria ATU63971759 RoDoStudios LTD, Nigeria Aiyetoro street 33, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, FN 374008

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More than Cooperate Social Responsibility, classic Investments or Traditional Development Aid. It is not just about making a film, it is about making a film to cause positive change!