Fereshteh Forough, a founding partner of the Afghan Citadel Software Company (ACSC), recently sat down with Lauren Lovelace for a discussion about the future of public-private partnerships and women’s empowerment. Lovelace is the executive director of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council at Georgetown University.
The Council, which was founded in 2002 by Presidents George W. Bush and Hamid Karzai, is a public-private partnership that connects governments, academia, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to create change in Afghanistan. They work to develop programs that benefit women in Afghanistan using their “four pillars” - health, education, economic empowerment and leadership development. The Council has worked to create scholarships, provide skills training, train women entrepreneurs and numerous other projects.
When asked how social media has impacted her work with the Council, Lovelace said, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for social media.” She credits social media platforms for her knowledge about Afghan women’s issues and Film Annex’s work in the area. She and Forough discuss how social media is on the rise in Afghanistan, especially among young people, and how it could affect the future.
“I think that public policy can bring change, but that’s going to be in concert with the desires and energies of the people on the ground,” says Lovelace. The increase of mobile and social media technologies could be instrumental in bringing this energy to the forefront. Afghanistan is an increasingly mobile country, with approximately 90% of the country receiving coverage from one of the four major cell providers. Lovelace cites Ustad Mobile as an excellent mobile-based project that expands learning opportunities for women. “That is taking the public policy platform in education and the desire to expand literacy growth in Afghanistan and bring[ing] it together with great private sector support,” said Lovelace.
Moving forward, the increase in public-private partnerships will play a large role in enacting change for women in Afghanistan. Lovelace discusses the projects that the Center may take on in the future to bring about greater women’s empowerment in the country. “We are looking for feasible dynamic and short-term projects that have effects in the immediate term,” says Lovelace. “We see transition [to public-private partnerships] as the beginning, not the end. That’s because public-private partnerships are the future, not just for Afghanistan but for South Asia and the region.”
"The more you promote yourself, the more your level within Film Annex rises in terms of being featured on the homepage. It helps that promoting yourself promotes you within the site itself. So now, the more you blog, the more it increases your presence on the site, which increases the number of people looking at your work, which increases revenues. It creates more of an initiative to be interactive. I'm excited about the revenue that's coming in, and it will be a good way to start out the year." - Charles Pieper
On Friday, November 9th, the long-time Film Annex contributor, stop motion animator and filmmaker, the wonderfully energetic and inspiring Charles Pieper, visited our studio to chat and get in front of the camera for an interview. Even though I had never met Pieper in person before, I feel like I've known him for about 4 years now. That's how long he's been an active Film Annex member. I watched Pieper's style develop over the years and take a definitive tone. He's one of those filmmakers that I would recognize just by watching his work even if his name weren't attached to it. Perhaps one day, you'll be hearing the term "Pieperian" going around town to describe a moody, imaginative, colorful, and somewhat creepy genre-breaking film that explores human behavior in a clever way.
Still from Pieper's latest live-action short film, The Last Remnants
An East Coast native, Pieper went to Emerson college to study film and is currently living and working in Los Angeles. We talked about everything from his early drawings and inexplicable love for monsters to online film distribution, sharing on social media and his latest live-action film, The Last Remnants. Pieper said that being born into the times of Internet has helped his career to a great extent, and he wouldn't be where he is now if it weren't for the web and the power of social media. Online tools can only help further the careers of driven and creative filmmakers, and Pieper is a testament to that.
When asked about his favorite aspect of Film Annex, Pieper impressed us with his extensive explanation of the Film Annex model. It was exhilarating to see that a filmmaker had such good grasp of the way our platform works and how it benefits creatives. From the BuzzScore to being featured on the homepage, Pieper seems to have it down when it comes to promoting and monetizing his work on the web. And I have a feeling that it will only get better for him from here on.
Visit Charles Pieper's Web TV.
Watch the full-length version of above video.
Jonathan Ng is a Toronto-based animation filmmaker and producer. He has worked on feature films like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and The Spiderwick Chronicles, and has an impressive portfolio of his own work, with titles like Asthma Tech, Sherry, Like the Drink (in tribute to his mother), and Alpha Beta Complex. Many of these videos as well as clips and other material can be seen on his Film Annex Web TV.
Before learning about the benefits of Film Annex, Jonathan says he didn’t use social media platforms except for Facebook, and he didn’t share his work. In order to finance his projects, he had to apply for funding and sell his drawings at live events and his own DVDs and prints.
Now, he says that the best part of using Film Annex is being able to promote his projects and seeing revenue come through that will help fund the next ones. He also said he realized how important online distribution is to connect with people around the world.
"We do film festivals and do film releases in person and do these premiers and there’s only a certain type of people who will be there," he said. "Eventually everything is just going to make it online and it will reach exactly who you want it to reach, the people who specifically like your work and seek out your work, and they’re somewhere halfway across the world. Online distribution is ultimately the long-term distribution mechanism that everyone should be using and everyone is using."
In addition to personal experiences like Ng’s, Film Annex also monitors how filmmakers connect with people around the world by providing a Buzz Score. This score measures the filmmaker’s reach, influence, and ability to engage his or her audience through the content on his or her profile. Every time a blog post is written and shared on social networks, the buzzscore increases. Then, users with high buzz scores are rewarded for their work.
View the video below for more information on Your Buzz.
As part of our interview series with Digital Media thought leaders, we talked to Hector 
Pantazopoulos, Vice President and co-founder of SourceKnowledge.com, a fast growing online media agency specializing in SEO, SEM, display advertising and social media. Pantazopoulos talked to us about Film Annex's initiatives in Afghanistan and shared his ideas about digital media, technology, and education. Film Annex is currently building Internet classrooms in Afghanistan with the mission to improve the Afghan education system and the economy of Afghanistan. Last week, we opened our first classroom, and the construction of a second one at the Houz-e-Karbas High School has already started.
Pantazopoulos co-founded SourceKnowledge.com in 2009. He has over eight years of experience in the online advertising and marketing industry in a business development role, and has developed an expertise in search advertising, affiliate marketing, and online retail.
Film Annex: What do you think of Film Annex's initiatives in Afghanistan?
Hector Pantazopoulos: It's a wonderfully creative way to support the education system in Afghanistan. I think business is at it's best when it includes some form of philanthropy.
F.A. Digital and social media have changed the political scenarios of several countries in the last two years. Can they also affect the educational and financial landscape? If yes, how so?
H.P. I think access to the Internet should be a basic human right. It facilitates the sharing of ideas and makes communication easy and affordable, but it also increases access to educational material and boosts entrepreneurial activity.
F.A. Is digital media the most efficient source that can educate the Afghan youth?
H.P. I don't know enough about the current education system in Afghanistan to speak to what would be the most efficient source of teaching children, but I can say that access to online teaching resources and exposure to digital media on the whole should play a role in the classroom.
F.A. Can digital media and advertising sustain financially upcoming countries like Afghanistan and their educational system?
H.P. In my opinion, digital media and online advertising is a great opportunity for developing countries to participate in the world economy. There are few barriers to entry and your country doesn't need to be rich in a particular natural resource to compete on the world stage. It's really just about access to education and online resources.
F.A. How can digital media serve the emancipation of women and provide them with an independent education, connectivity, and financial freedom?
H.P. In my opinion, the more people around the world work together and share ideas (whether for education, politics or otherwise), the better off they are in all areas of their lives. As the old adage goes, "Knowledge is power".
F.A. What is your opinion on investing in the education of the Afghan youth and women by building schools in Afghanistan?
H.P. I think this is a wonderful initiative that should be celebrated and encouraged.
F.A. Our goal is to increase the average yearly income in Afghanistan from $900 to $8000. How long do you think this will take?
H.P. I don't know enough about Afghanistan to comment about this objective. I hope you can achieve the goal.
F.A. Veterans have a prominent role in the Film Annex initiatives in Afghanistan. What is your opinion on (G.I.V.E.) - Global Initiative for Veteran Entrepreneurship and building veteran business opportunities?
H.P. Encouraging veterans to be entrepreneurs and helping them build new skill sets such as SEO is a great initiative. However, connecting veterans with civilian projects in Afghanistan is a brilliant way for soldiers to use their experiences in a positive way and give back to the Afghan community.
As part of our interview series with Digital Media thought leaders, we talked to Steve Brazell, 
the CEO of Hitman, Inc., a Competition Removal firm in New York City, and a successful entrepreneur and author. Brazell answered our questions about Film Annex's initiatives in Afghanistan, and shared his thoughts about education, digital and social media, and the future of Afghanistan. Film Annex is currently building Internet classrooms in Afghanistan with the mission to improve the Afghan education system and the economy of Afghanistan. We opened our first classroom in April, and the construction of a second one at the Houz-e-Karbas High School has already started.
Film Annex: What do you think of Film Annex's initiatives in Afghanistan?
Steve Brazell: Education is the only way we will make real progress in Afghanistan. Building schools and providing information will create a climate where people can make better decisions. Film Annex's mission is bold, and shows that anyone can make a measurable difference.
F.A. Digital and social media have changed the political scenarios of several countries in the last two years. Can they also affect the educational and financial landscape? If yes, how so?
S.B. Digital and social media are the new information highways. I'm not as confident in "social media" and it's ability to properly educate anyone. I think social media is the modern version of the caveman's campfire and can be used to communicate with like minded individuals to rally for both positive and negative causes. Social media has too much sway. I prefer to provide individuals with information and context and let them make decisions outside of social influence as much as possible.
F.A. Is digital media the most efficient source that can educate the Afghan youth?
S.B. Digital media can provide the most recent information available, and without the bias of an older generation that may want to filter the information the Afghan youth receive.
F.A. Can digital media and advertising sustain financially upcoming countries like Afghanistan and their educational system?
S.B. I don't think so. I really think these are two separate issues. I don't think digital media and advertising can sustain any country, but it could support and sustain portions of the education system. The big challenge will be getting advertisers to push campaigns to a market that can't get or can't afford their products. The early stages will require companies looking to build their brands, not sell their products.
F.A. How can digital media serve the emancipation of women and provide them with an independent education, connectivity, and financial freedom?
S.B. Until the male dominated government provides equal opportunity for the Afghan women to succeed, independent education and access to online information will play a critical role in preparing women in Afghanistan for the future.
F.A. What is your opinion on investing in the education of the Afghan youth and women by building schools in Afghanistan?
S.B. For every dollar we invest in educating youth in Afghanistan, we will save ten in fighting terrorism.
F.A. Our goal is to increase the average yearly income in Afghanistan from $900 to $8000. How long do you think this will take?
S.B. That simply depends on the Afghan government. If the government provides a fertile and safe environment, the economy could grow rapidly. Stability in the region is critical for economic prosperity.
F.A. Veterans have a prominent role in the Film Annex initiatives in Afghanistan. What is your opinion on (G.I.V.E.) - Global Initiative for Veteran Entrepreneurship and building veteran business opportunities?
S.B. Many veterans' families have paid the ultimate price for those of us here in America to take advantage of a free and open market. I do quite a bit of work with Veteran organizations, and many of them struggle to assimilate back into a non-military environment. GIVE is an incredible way to help veterans jump-start meaningful and fulfilling businesses.
More about Steve Brazell: Brazell is one of America's top marketing and branding experts. He helps his clients develop and communicate real, innovative brand differences. He is a highly sought after motivational marketing and branding speaker, and savvy media guest and contributor. He is fluent in Japanese, and an avid student of body language, human behavior, and Far East Philosopy.
The production arm of Film Annex has just released it's latest Web Series project 'No Saints' directed by the legendary New York City independent film director Abel Ferrara. The project was conceived by Francesco and Tommaso Rulli as an example of how the Film Annex team can create a BUZZ around any corporation in a new and certainly unexpected way. As this was a new concept, what more fitting way to test it out then on Film Annex's sister company M.T.I. which is a leading fabric distributor to the top brands in the fashion industry. John Varvatos and Alexander Wang are two examples of the brands that deal with M.T.I. Travelling around the world seeking out the finest materials for these labels is a behind the scenes, rarely appreciated yet essential part of the success for EVERY fashion label. In the hands of the FIlm Annex production team in collaboration with Abel, our good friends at the M.T.I. office can boast to any one of their clients in New York or around the world that they are now the sexiest characters in the garment district.
The main intention of this Web Series is to broadcast to any corporation or individual that Film Annex, as both a production house and massive online film distribution company that reaches an audience of millions, has the ability to create a spectacular BUZZ around a project that few others in the industry can offer.
If your business is in need of a basic corporate interview, a behind the scenes documentation of a project, or a scripted fictional piece reminicent of 'The Office' with a famous director managing the set then Film Annex is your best solution for success. The 12 million unique monthly viewers who could potentially view your video is an amazing addition to the package that any company in need of exposure will have full access to.
So if you desire to import drugs from China with your co-worker in the cubicle next to you please don't hesitate to call, we would love to shoot it and broadcast it to the world!
On February 17th, the Film Annex Studios hosted the Nobel Prize winning scientist, Harold Varmus, and the Executive Editor of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Ushma S. Neill, for the first episode of the JCI series, Conversations with Giants in Medicine. Neill interviewed Varmus who has been the director of the National Cancer Institute since July, 2010.
We were excited and honored to have them at our studio and listen to one of the most exciting stories in science. Varmus has previously served as the director of the National Institutes of Health and as the president of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 1989, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine with Michael Bishop "in recognition of their discovery of the cellular origin of the retroviral oncogenes."
Varmus told Neill that growing up, he was someone who liked words and books and was interested in the workings of the mind. He was an English major in college and wrote for the student newspaper. He says, "I became interested in internal medicine because of its narrative aspects - the medical history and the detection part of it, figuring out what's wrong with somebody."
At 28, while working at the NIH, Varmus got hooked on science once he learned the power of instruments in measuring things and understood how exciting it was to get a result from his experiments. He started studying cancer cells and worked to understand how cancer arises.
After winning the Nobel Prize, Varmus became a speaker for the politics of science and became the person to turn to about governmental decisions regarding science, the funding and training of scientists, the integrity of science, amongst other topics. Being a trusted and admired scientist, he later joined the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in President Obama's administration.
Today, Harold Varmus is a figure whose work has allowed us to understand and treat cancer, while revealing fundamental features about how cells live and grow. Once again, we were very honored to be in his presence and learn from him. And we'd like to thank Ushma Neill for making this interview possible.
Please watch this great and inspiring interview here.
by Eren Gulfidan
Find me on Twitter
A picture is supposed to be, in some cases, worthy of a thousand words. I can argue the case that some of the better fashion film productions that I have viewed while overseeing Models WebTV have generated discussions many times more than that. The use of engaging video productions by businesses today could be the last step of the puzzle in creating the necessary buzz for promoting a product to an engaged audience as it is launched.
Amanda Dhalla writes in her blog for Video-Commerce.org that "Online video is an ideal medium to tell the stories behind your products and build your brand authenticity" and gives fantastic examples of companies that have utilized video for this benefit. I would like to add a company to this roster. It's name is Killspencer, the brainchild of Los Angeles based industrial designer Spencer Nikosey. The company started with the mission of creating the perfect, waterproof, 100% USA made backpack. My search for such a backpack led me to Spencer's site. His bags are amazing and I plan to purchase one.
What was more inspiring was how Spencer is successfully utilizing fashion the film genre and 'making of' productions to showcase his company, his products and himself.
Ms. Dhalla continues with this; "To maximize exposure and buzz, marketers need to explore other types of video formats that are better suited to that task. One example is a ‘making of’ or ‘behind-the-scenes’ video". I get to know Spencer and his Killspencer brand on a personal level when I watched his very own interview video. His "making of" video gives the prospective buyer an insight on the process of how the bag is made and the materials used to make it.
Now to the exciting part, the videos that I may categorize as fashion films which Spencer created for marketing the vibe of his products and the settings one could only wish to be in when wearing them.
Click to view the KILLSPENCER® | WEEKENDER FILM
Click to view the KILLSPENCER® | UTILITY COLLECTION 2.0 FILM
Spencer Nikosey is the perfect example of an entrepreneur who recognizes how vital video production is for opening the doors to his company and letting an eager consumer in. What this has done for me personally is let me know the man behind the product and connect with him. I now better understand the process of how my future backpack will be made and through his films I can dream about the perfect location that a Killspencer product will be at my side.
Well done Spencer, I'll keep my eye open for the postman!
