Advocacy and Lobbying

SACOD seeks to affect change in society by advocating for reforms through appeals to individuals about their behaviour, organisations and companies about their rules, and government about its laws.

Through its lobbying efforts, SACOD hopes to influence lawmakers for appropriate legislation in support of developmental issues through the use of audiovisual platforms.

It is the goal of SACOD to lobby effectively for the development of a thriving community of independent producers in Southern African. The producers participate in development through the use of audio-visual media and their programmes are broadcast on Southern African broadcasters' networks as part of an overall increase in local content quotas and a social contract in broadcasting.

The same programmes also reach a wider audience though other distribution mechanisms such as mobile units, churches, NGO or civil society organisations, or school audiovisual screenings.

SACOD works in partnership with other organisations in the media sector to ensure that the media environment in Southern Africa allows media freedom and diversity.

SACOD aims to form coalitions with organized, informed, and dedicated partners to effectively communicate the importance of their common efforts.

Training

SACOD makes available training opportunities for its members and other interested parties.

SACOD shall engage in ground-breaking programmes under its training projects; all designed to run under world-class professional conditions and guidance.

Standards in the audiovisual industry and information on new technologies are being advanced for the benefit of the SACOD members and their audiences.

To ensure that training is effectively constructed and undertaken and that the transfer of knowledge is aligned to the outcomes-based principles, professionals with experience shall be engaged.

The main annual platform for training is the SACOD Forum. There are currently 75 members of SACOD from SADC region.

The SACOD Forum is a unique event initiated eleven years ago in order to create a meeting place where audiovisual practitioners from the region get together to screen and debate audiovisual content. (See The Forum)

Information and Communication Network

SACOD’s core activity is the networking service that it provides to its members and interest groups both locally and internationally.

SACOD encourages regional co-productions, networking within the film and television industry and developing links with other regional and international networks. Information and communication networks can substantially scale up the effectiveness audiovisual initiatives of SACOD members.

SACOD shall enhance existing partnerships and engage new ones with an objective to supporting its members to generate viable quality programmes as saleable and exportable commodities.

We also provide an information service to our members and partners by disseminating news on developments in the industry.

Other information around training, funding opportunities, festivals and markets is also distributed to the membership.

The SACOD head office houses a resource centre with a wide variety of videos and other reading material on the industry and this is available for use by both SACOD members and non-members. NGOs working in development can have access to a wide range of video material that they can use as part of their programme/workshop/ conferences.

Should you have information you want forwarded to the member or the network, please contact: projects@sacod.org.za.

Classical and Alternative Distribution Mechanisms

SACOD supports the work of its members who are involved in distribution. The organisation ensures that useful information is as widely distributed as possible. SACOD works with its members who run mobile units and other distribution outlets within the SADC region. The network of distribution members is also readily available to work with other countries that are interested in setting up similar initiatives.

SACOD partners with Festivals organizers in the SADC region to cultivate a culture of watching African Films. This component of Audience Development is critical and it is encouraged to evolve at the same time with the improvement of production initiatives by members.

SACOD encourages the purchase of the audiovisual content of its members. Various formats are available. The network also facilitates the exchange of content with interested parties.

Anyone interested in submitting productions for use in this programme please contact: projects@sacod.org.za.

Skills Audit

The SACOD Skills Audit is competency assessment allows the organization to determine the level of audiovisual skills and knowledge in the region. This guides the organization to strive towards providing the most appropriate training initiatives and partnerships for the region.

The Skills Audit is compared against the competencies that are required in order to determine the gaps and to focus Training and Development accordingly. A skills audit results in:

• Understanding the gaps and the skills required to fill them
• An accurate analysis of the SACOD development needs
• Identifying the people who need development

The information can be used effectively for internal selection and succession planning as well.