From the Curator’s Desk
Greetings, friends:
Happy New Year (the year is still new)… I hope you had a restful and joyous Christmas break. As we step into this new year, I’m excited to get a few things off the ground, starting with the second edition of our much-anticipated Africa Media Festival.
Last year, we were just testing an idea with the Festival, to see if such a convening would be worthwhile to host. Going by the feedback we received, it certainly was – we had about 500 attendees at the Radisson Blu in Upper Hill, Nairobi, nearly 70 speakers, and great positive feedback. This year, we’re shaking things up even more, by moving to a new venue, the Nairobi National Museum, and by moving away from traditional panel discussions. We’re instead introducing a variety of engaging and interactive formats to maximize your experience:
Ignite Talks: These are going to be rapid, idea-focused talks designed to ignite inspiration and spark conversation. Each speaker gets a few minutes to share their insights, making every second count.
🛠️ Workshops: Interactive sessions where you’ll gain hands-on experience, learn new skills, and collaboratively solve problems. These sessions are all about sharing knowledge and learning from each other.
Demos: An opportunity to showcase some of the most groundbreaking products and creative solutions in media. If you’re all about the latest in tech and creativity, this is why you need to attend.
Unconference Sessions: Where the power is in the hands of participants, allowing them to set the topics and lead the discussions. It’s a unique opportunity to take over the agenda and steer the conversation towards what you think is important.
We’ve already received some wonderful pitches and ideas from you, the Baraza community, from folks who’d like to participate in one of the four sessions listed above. If you have any last-minute pitches, please reach out to me at chris@barazalab.com, I’m closing the program this week, by January 24.
I’m looking forward to an Africa Media Festival that is more than just an event; it’s a community coming together to share, learn, and grow. Whether you’re looking to get inspired, acquire new skills, or network with fellow media professionals, there’s something here for everyone. Secure your spot by clicking on the registration link here.
In the meantime, here’s:
What We’re Reading: Hiba Morgan on Sudan’s forgotten war, a Q&A in conversation with Feven Merid at Columbia Journalism Review. Nine months ago, Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, unleashed attacks against each other in the capital Khartoum. Since then, a destructive civil war has played out in the country; over 12,000 people have been killed, and more than seven million people have been displaced. Morgan, Al Jazeera’s Sudan correspondent, speaks to CJR on the loss of international attention on this war, how best to communicate the civilian toll, and the challenges that she and other journalists are facing.
What We’re Watching: The World of the Married, on Netflix. I’m a very late comer to K-dramas, and this show has 16 episodes that run at least 90 minutes each – but I’m somehow watching them all.
What We’re Listening to: World of Secrets: The Disciples by BBC World Service. By now, you must be aware of the 3-part documentary uncovering the shocking abuse at the church of one of the most influential figures in recent times – Nigerian prophet TB Joshua. The podcast does an even more thorough job of explaining how, and why, it happened. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
My best,
BARAZA EVENTS
AFRICA MEDIA FESTIVAL
Join us at the 2nd edition of the Africa Media Festival, happening on the 21st and 22nd of February at the National Museum of Kenya. This edition will be taking a revamped format that promises a unique and immersive experience, providing a platform for you to share your expertise, showcase your brand, and connect with a diverse audience of thought leaders, innovators, and media enthusiasts. Explore the latest trends, technologies, and ideas defining the industry under the theme ‘What’s Next In Media.’ Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiast, this event offers a valuable opportunity to collaborate, share insights, and make a lasting impact. Secure your tickets now and be part of this transformative journey into the future of media.
Dates: 21st – 22nd February, 2024
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
Story Sosa: Podcast Series and Pay-per-View Stories
Did you miss the Story Sosa debut?
Baraza Media Lab pulled back the curtain on Story Sosa, a multimedia storytelling masterpiece, back in July 2023. This wasn’t your average show – it was a fusion of narrative, video, animation, and interactivity.
In case you missed it, we’ve bottled the magic of Story Sosa in five electrifying pay-per-view stories, each for only Kshs 100. You can also grab the whole package for a steal at Kshs 400!
To dive deeper into the storytelling experiment, make sure to tune in to the podcast series that goes behind the scenes with the creators, and explores the themes behind this multimedia storytelling experience. Listen to A Taste of Story Sosa here.