Changing Perceptions on Agriculture: The Role of the Entertainment Industry (“Nollywood Meets Bollywood”)

DATE: Wednesday 24 May 2017
TIME: 16:30 – 18:30

PANEL

• Ms. Oboli Omoni, Nigerian Actress, Director and Producer
• Mr. Rajendrakumar Mohan Raney, Film Director and Producer, India
• Mr. Letaief Brahim, Director of the Carthage Film Festival (Tunisia)
• Ms. Rekha Rana, Bollywood and International Award Winning Actress, Winner of Miss Delhi
• Ms. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nigerian Actress, Philanthropist, TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2013

MODERATOR

• Dr. Victor Oladokun, CEO, 3D Global Consult

In Africa, the movie industry is emerging as an important contributor to gross domestic product and employment in countries like Nigeria. It is also the case in India. However, the entertainment industry--especially the film industry—too often offers unflattering narratives of agriculture and the rural life. Such miserabilist portraits perpetuate the perception that agriculture is simply a way of surviving for the poor. The entertainment industry has the power and influence to dynamically change these perceptions by projecting agriculture as a profitable an economic sector with infinite profitable business opportunities, and a force for structural transformation.
This evening side event will gather some leading figures in the entertainment industry and provide a platform for discussing the significance of agriculture in their sphere of work and how the industry depends, in many ways, on rural transformation. The event will start with a panel discussion on the status of the film industry in Nigeria and India, the challenges and opportunities for the industry’s development and how the industry must itself transform in how it perceives and portrays agriculture and rural life. The evening will continue with a networking cocktail and the screening of an African movie. Participants will include captains of the film industry from Nigeria and India.