d. Distribution

By the time you reach this point, you will have established an impressive distribution network thanks to input collected during various exercises since the early planning stages of the project. You also have strong support in the media and the world of politics to support your efforts.
Use your imagination and all other available means to ensure the widest possible distribution of the films. You will have rendered distribution much easier, and endowed it with far greater potential, if you opted to make the project thoroughly non-profit from the outset and if you came to clear, timely legal agreements on the issue of rights with all relevant individuals involved in the creative process.
You should almost certainly opt for non-exclusive distribution contracts with a number of different distributors. This will help ensure maximum reach of the films and give you maximum flexibility. An exclusive distribution agreement with a distribution company in a particular country will preclude you from seeking alternative distribution channels in that country during the term of the contract.
Television broadcasts on national and international stations
C Be sure to seek legal advice when drawing up broadcast agreements. Avoid doing anything that could limit or complicate your abilities to distribute the films as you wish.
C Emphasize to broadcasters the flexible nature of the series of films:

C they are short and therefore not cumbersome to those in charge of programming;
C the tone in the films is highly varied;
C many different topics are addressed, so broadcasters can emphasize those that correspond to the cultural sensitivities of their constituencies;
C when you give your tape to a broadcasting company, make sure that it is clearly identifiable and provide some explanatory documentation on the nature of the project.

C Insist that the name of the young author, as well as that of the director, be highlighted in any broadcast.

C Research in advance the broadcast slots the films might fit. When it comes to scheduling, think carefully whether you would like to strive for the highest possible total viewership figures, or rather if you are out to generate debate among specific groups of the population (the target groups might differ from film to film). If, for example, your objective is to reach young people and trigger discussion among them, and if in your zone the presence of adults generally stifles open commentary by young people, you might want to arrange for broadcasts during shows specifically designed for youths, such as music-video shows. Of course, this will mean that your relevant quantitative evaluation data will be less impressive. That will pose no problem if your funders and sponsors have been well informed about your distribution objectives.

One more note on scheduling: Scenarios films can be excellent additions to programming during events such as International Women's Day or national youth week.

C A great way to introduce the films for the first time to a given station's viewership is by showing them during a televised panel discussion. The panel, including perhaps the young authors, the directors and members of the local HIV-prevention community, could present the project and its context, and then comment after each of the films is shown. This provides public validation and visibility to the people behind the project, helps viewers to situate the films during subsequent broadcasts, stirs reflection and can shape debate along priority lines.
The compilation video
By the time the compilation video is ready, you will have developed a lengthy list of organizations that are sure to make extensive use of it in the field. That list was started during the planning process and was added to through observation during the contest and thanks to input requested from jury members. You could complement your list of recipients by circulating a new request for input to all members of the project team.
In areas where the project team has few contacts, but where the compilation video would likely be much appreciated and widely used, you might consider working with structures such as those of UNAIDS to establish lists of recipients for the films.
In addition to this proactive approach, you should establish a system for fulfilling unsolicited requests for the compilation video.
Try to seek out distribution opportunities that involve a maximum of interactive communication, for example, mobile cinemas (or ciné-buses).
With a view to maximizing the effectiveness of the films when they are used in the field, the compilation video can be distributed with a Users' Guide (discussed in the Epilogue), and you can provide NGO's and CBO's with training on how best to use the film and the guide.

You will need to formulate a position on piracy, bearing in mind all the while the objectives of your project, the sensitivities of the artists involved, ramifications for the local distributors of other audio-visual materials, and the law. Options might range from vigorous legal action against anyone making unauthorized copies, to turning a blind eye to such activity (knowing that that means that the films will be seen and hopefully discussed by even more people), to actively seeking the collaboration of known pirates.
Other forms of distribution to consider
C If they were shot on 35mm and are available on film reels, the films could be provided to cinemas, which could show them as trailers to feature films. Some cinemas will be able and willing to project a BETA copy. VHS copies could be provided to small neighborhood video clubs (rather like small video-cinemas where films are shown on television _ they are abundant in the Sahel) for the same purpose.
C You can arrange to have the films shown at film festivals, which could open up new channels of distribution and would also heighten the visibility of the director and her or his team.
C The Scenarios team is arranging to have selected films from the series added as trailers to feature films that are being prepared for distribution on VHS video cassette.
C The films can be made available on the Internet. You might want to ask a specialist to explore all relevant options; it's a rapidly changing field.