Digital Futures and Alternate Revenue Models

About the event

In 2020, the audience’s attitude towards safety against the backdrop of ongoing social distancing had led to widespread innovation in the cultural festivals space. This webinar highlighted the pathways outlining digital futures and alternative revenue models for festivals. It was held on 26 June 2020, as part of the British Council’s Festival Connections, in partnership with Arts and Culture Resources India (an Art X Company initiative), an annual programme of expertise, knowledge and networking between India and the UK. The webinar looked at three festivals and the ways in which the digital experiences were created, delivered, and consumed in a COVID-19 world.

Anto Philip, Eduardo Cachucho, and Kalpana Nair engaged with moderator Rashmi Dhanwani from the Art X Company, and dived into some of their projects in the digital realm.

Anto Philip, co-founder of Under 25, one of India’s largest youth festivals, talked about digital consumption and the moving their festival online and holding a ‘Payjama’ edition. Eduardo Cachucho from the British Council, who worked with the Fak’Ugesi – Digital Innovation Festival of Africa, gave an overview of different aspects of digital creation and co-creation. Eduardo shared some of the digital tools that his team uses for effective festival management. While taking some questions from the audiences on the accessibility of digital festivals, Eduardo opined that festivals cannot take accountability for an unequal division of resources in a society. But embracing the differences and building inclusivity and accessibility filters at various working levels can be the only way forward, he said.

Kalpana from Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, with her background in corporate and creative communications, spoke about the various aspects of digital distribution. She emphasised how MAMI is extremely conscious of digital security and rights regarding online screenings. One key takeaway from Kalpana was her emphasis on partnerships which she believes is a critical component for steering ahead in times of uncertainty. She put forth their project #WeAreOne Film Festival to support this claim.

The session concluded with Rashmi facilitating a discussion around alternate revenue models around digital experiences.

The event was held as part of the British Council’s Festival Connections, in partnership with Arts and Culture Resources India (an Art X Company initiative), annual expertise, knowledge and networking programme between India and the UK.