INSIDE STORY - Winter Update 2015
Discovery Learning Alliance
INSIDE STORY continues its impressive distribution run; agreements were recently signed with broadcasters in Tanzania, Nigeria and Malawi for the film to be shown on free-to-air stations.
Discovery Learning Alliance (DLA) is also working closely with NGO partners to distribute INSIDE STORY and the companion facilitator’s guide. DLA’s lead partner, Management Sciences for Health, is making the film available to grassroots advocates and educators across the continent via five distribution locations:
• Angola
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• South Africa
DLA will continue to maximize the power of INSIDE STORY by looking for opportunities for mobile and outdoors screenings in rural African communities, as well as establishing partnerships to distribute the DVD via local street sellers East, South and West Africa.
In the United States, INSIDE STORY was featured by the Maryland Governor’s Commission on African Affairs at the “2014 African Health Fair” in Baltimore. This initiative underscored the unique value of the film as an entertainment and education tool beyond Africa. Washington, D.C. and Maryland rank highly among U.S. cities impacted by HIV/AIDS infections. Attendees received copies of the film and were excited to share it as a part of their HIV/AIDS advocacy outreach in the Washington Metropolitan area.
##
INSIDE STORY has been a hit across Africa and is now the most widely seen film ever on the continent. From military officials in Angola to students in Botswana to theaters in Nigeria (and even as far as the Philippines) audiences are on their feet and cheering.
This fall, Aric Noboa, President and Executive Producer for Discovery Learning Alliance, was invited to discuss INSIDE STORY’s success and impact on two panels:
November 1:
Aric attended the Transformational Media Summit at George Washington University. The summit at brought together some of the most innovative and inspiring change makers working at the intersection of media and social change. Aric was invited to speak on a panel titled, ‘ Media and Social Impact
Harnessing the power of media for good.”
Panelists included:
November 5-7
Aric attended the DISCOP AFRICA conference in Johannesburg South Africa. DISCOP Africa is Africa’s highest regarded and only international Film, TV content, adaptation rights and packaged channel market. Aric was invited to participate on the panel / discussion , ‘Closing Skill Gaps with Television “:
Two decades of educational programming in South Africa will serve as a backdrop in an attempt to predict the future role of instructional and pro-social television. This session will examine how tomorrow’s digital ecosystems will help close skill gaps and maximize the positive effects of television on cognitive development, academic achievements, professional training and community relations.
Hosted by Hanneli Bekker, programming and production consultant
• David Campbell, director, Mediae
• Harriet Gavshon, Director, Quizzical
• Aric Noboa, Director, Discovery Global Partnership
• Dylan Bussa, Director, Mindset
• Ryan Grim, Editor Africa Desk, Vice Media
• Hiroshi Yamamoto, Producer, NHK
Launching "Inside Story" in Botswana: a rewarding experience
There is nothing quite like the ecstatic feeling of accomplishment when you finally complete a project or assignment you have worked on for weeks or months. This experience becomes greater when your efforts contribute meaningfully to an important issue, or make a difference in someone’s life. This reward makes the long hours, sacrifice, and compromise worthwhile.
As Project Associates at the Building Local Capacity for Delivery of HIV Services in Southern Africa Project (BLC), implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and funded by the US Agency for International Development’s Regional HIV/AIDS Program (USAID/RHAP), we are frequently the ones operating behind the scenes, ensuring that logistics are in place, from banners being printed, to compiling registration and attendance lists. Weeks of planning and preparation paid off on Wednesday afternoon when, in collaboration with PEPFAR/Botswana, BLC hosted a launch of the Inside Story film in Gaborone, Botswana.
Inside Story was produced in 2011 by Quizzical Pictures, a leading South African production company, for Discovery Learning Alliance with the support of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID/RHAP, Chevron, Discovery Communications, Access Bank, the South African Department of Trade and Industry, SEACOM, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The film follows young Kalu as he relocates from Kenya to South Africa to pursue a career in professional soccer. Before he leaves his home country, Kalu is infected with HIV. Having previously seen the film and experienced the impact it has on viewers, we had a sense of pride in what was about to be revealed to our audience. The film presents a great mix of real-life drama and animated sequences showing HIV inside the body. While being gripping and entertaining, it engages and educates audiences on HIV.
MSH is involved in distribution of the film in southern Africa, and we promote its use as an HIV prevention tool. As a precursor to nationwide distribution in Botswana, the launch facilitated screening of the film to government and civil society stakeholders as well as Batswana youth, bringing the technical experts together with the aspiring youth. The film appeals to everyone because it explains the biological aspects of HIV’s effect on the body through a realistic story that brings the messages to life. Seeing these resonate with people who attended the launch made all the hard work organizing the event worthwhile.
Victor Thanke, Information, Education, and Communication officer at the Botswana National AIDS Coordinating Agency, stated, “Clearly this is a movie that needs to be seen by the masses. We are going to incorporate it into our programming and share it with our government and civil society partners.”
Vanessa Kintu, one of several Batswana youth invited to the launch, shared, “The movie was motivating and inspiring. It encourages us to never give up no matter what challenges we face. It is useful for other youth because it teaches us how to protect ourselves. I am going to watch this every day and share it with my family.”
Michael J. Murphy, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Gaborone, handed over a donation of 500 copies of the DVD to Dr. Richard Mathlare, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. “We are in it together,” Dr. Mathlare emphasized, “Through partnership, we are going to ensure every school has a copy [of Inside Story].” There are nearly half a million young people in primary and secondary schools in the country who need to be reached with information to make healthy choices, he shared.
Although we are relieved the event planning is over, we can’t help but look forward to the next opportunity to share Inside Story!
Celma Pedro and Sarah Ravhudzulo are Project Associates at the Building Local Capacity for Delivery of HIV Services in Southern Africa Project. Inside Story is available as a free download in English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili at: www.insidestorythemovie.org.
December 1, 2013 on World Aids Day, Discovery Learning Alliance’s feature-length film, Inside Story, will air on networks throughout Africa and see its first ever worldwide, free digital release. The most widely seen film in Africa of all time, Inside Story is a story about soccer, love and the incredible journey that HIV takes in the human body. The film will be broadcast on television networks in Botswana, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, England, Ireland, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia.
The groundbreaking film, which brings together an all-star, pan-African cast in a compelling story of football, young love, and a twist of science has a two-fold mission: entertaining audiences while also showing HIV/AIDS in a way audiences have never seen before. To date, Inside Story is available in over 200 million homes across Africa and around the world. After a dozen film festival appearances, the film continues to make waves and receive accolades for its unique storytelling and captivating animation.
On this World Aids Day, please join us in being part of the global HIV/AIDS dialogue. Inside Story is available for download here: www.insidestorythemovie.org and will air on December 1st on networks throughout Africa.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP’S ‘INSIDE STORY’ LAUNCHES ON DIGITAL
PLATFORMS IN THE US
–Award-winning scripted feature film about soccer and HIV/AIDS released on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play,
Comcast, Verizon FIOS and more
(SilverSpring, Md.) – The nonprofit Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is
pleased to announce the digital release of its award-winning, scripted film INSIDE STORY today on iTunes, Google
Play, Amazon, Comcast, Verizon FIOS and other platforms. With numerous accolades from the press, a
dozen festival appearances and six awards (three for “Best Feature”), INSIDE STORY continues to roll out
through broadcast channels, reaching 150 million people globally, and today
launching on digital platforms within the US.
The film will roll out over pay on demand, DVD and free on demand platforms over
approximately 3 months from September 2013 to December 2013. The worldwide free
on demand launch will be on December 1st in commemoration of World AIDS Day
across SnagFilms.com and supported devices.
Directed by Rolie Nikiwe (Nothing for Mahala, The Lab, Intersexions), INSIDE STORY is
a truly pan African project, produced by Quizzical Pictures South Africa,
filmed in South Africa and Kenya and featuring actors and actresses from across
the continent.
INSIDE STORY stars Kevin Ndege Mamboleo (Changing Times) as
Kalu, a gifted footballer who moves from rural Kenya to urban Johannesburg to
follow his dream and support his family. His path becomes more challenging when
he falls in love with the coach’s daughter, Ify played by Kendra Etufunwa (Jacob’s Cross), and realizes he might be
HIV-positive. Newcomers Mamboleo and Etufunwa are joined by international stars
including Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Black Sails, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,
Hotel Rwanda, 24) and Fana Mokoena (World War Z, Safe House).
INSIDE STORY
also distinguishes itself by combining a compelling narrative with realistic
CGI animations that take the viewer into the body to reveal the inner workings
of HIV in a whole new way.
This groundbreaking film is making waves across sub-Saharan Africa and amongst the
HIV/AIDS community for being a solutions oriented approach to prevention,
treatment and positive living. Cutting-edge animation and a fusion of fiction
and non-fiction storytelling unravel the mystery of HIV and the moment of
infection.
“Inside Story is making a huge impact on audiences across Africa and we are thrilled to
bring this film and its unique approach to the US and the rest of the world.
INSIDE STORY reveals HIV/AIDS in a way that’s personal, practical and memorable
through a lens that is both entertaining and educational,” says Aric Noboa,
President and Executive Producer, Discovery Channel Global Education
Partnership. “Audiences stand up and cheer in the theater because it’s a great
story, and at the same time everyone walks away with a fresh perspective on
HIV.”
At a recent screening in Zambia, 85% of participants said they had more knowledge
of HIV/AIDS than before watching the film citing “knowledge is power” as a key
lesson learned. 95% said they are more likely to practice safe sex. After
screenings, many viewers ask for copies to show their friends and families.
“Inside Story is a key tool in our HIV prevention approach. We look forward to its
widespread distribution, confident that its message and unique format will
contribute positively to the regional HIV response. We plan to incorporate the
movie’s screening and distribution in as many of our program areas and
countries as possible,” says Donald Harbick, a Project Director with Management
Sciences for Health, an international NGO and INSIDE STORY
partner.
Produced with the support of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Chevron, Discovery Communications, Access Bank, the South African Department of Trade and Industry, SEACOM and the
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), INSIDE STORY can be seen across Africa
on national broadcasters and will reach even wider audiences through NGOs,
schools and governments – later this year. To purchase the film, view a trailer
or for more information, please visit: insidestorythemovie.org and facebook.com/insidestory.
INSIDE STORY is now available on iTunes movies: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/inside-story.
###
Project Reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you will get an e-mail when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports via e-mail without donating.
We'll only email you new reports and updates about this project.
