Communication tools have increasingly become a winning compliment to innovations and reaching wider segments of the market. Innovation Village, (IV) a multimedia and tech firm has seized the opportunity to provide new platforms for simpler and personal communication, entrepreneurship, exhibitions, among others, one of the firsts in Rwanda.
According to Ms Samantha Gateretse, the Innovation Village Communications Manager, the company is a multimedia and tech firm that designs community-centered platforms to connect and inspire storytellers, innovators and educators. It is founded on the idea that access to information expands the way communities think and see the world, which is the foundation of innovation.
In the past 13 months, IV have held a series of events that include monthly exhibitions that showcase and promote local arts and culture in their gallery area, thought-provoking weekly talks and screenings in a mini theatre, workshops on entrepreneurship and innovation in their co-work space. “It is one of the largest creative and arts hubs in Rwanda with over 150 events a year, giving access to tools for learning, through on-site programs and their interactive online platforms,” says Gateretse.
She adds “One of our platforms is Kigali Public Library, formed through a partnership with the Ministry of Education hopes to inspire communities to read, discover and learn. Another one of our recently founded video streaming platforms is Journal, (www.journal.rw) a simple, open revolutionary digital platform that honors African innovators and change makers by telling their stories through short films and documentaries.”
Vital Gatera, the IV Technical Director told IGIHE that what prompted them to develop a content streaming platform was to change people’s way of doing business and communication from traditional to digitized platforms.
“Traditionally, people have documented their stories of art, culture, innovation and creativity through storytelling and passed on their insight through oral traditions, written, radio and television. The digital world has made it easier for us to connect and access more communities internationally, so we created uniquely structured stories that are all documented in a short and simple documentary style.
“We believe that the quality and significance of content being shared at the moment is still relatively partial so concluded that there is a lot more to be told from new angles. “
To create this platform, IV started by focusing on 3 components; content, production and community.
Production is the foundation of great content and so Innovation Village has invested in a state of art film production studio that will help create original high quality programs, documentary and full featured films.
IV primary focus is on quality, relevant and inspiring content. “We want to create inspiring stories about innovation, creativity lifestyle and culture in Africa. We believe there are many aspects of culture, our lifestyle and innovation that need to be covered with greater depth, substance and beauty,” explains Vital.
He also says with platforms like YouTube, distribution of original, independent content has never been easier though they tend to focus on quantity. Traditional platforms are also somewhat limited in terms of access and cost a lot to start. “So we decided to invest in a technical team to build a video streaming platform as the main distribution network of our content.”
On how the whole system works and how it is different from other forms of streaming, Vital has this to say;
“Journal is a simple, user-friendly and accessible video streaming platform. It is a mobile friendly website that you can access on any device connected to the Internet. All of the videos are high-definition in quality but viewers can choose to watch them in standard format. All of the Journals content is simple, authentic, and we focused on developing quality, community centered content, in a short documentary format.”
He says that much as many streaming platforms take 3rd party shows and films and make them accessible online, IV content and video categories are original and reinvented with a focus on simplicity and original direct approach to storytelling.
Gateretse says IV are looking to work with Internet service providers to enable users have easier and better access to the site. “We are also constantly looking for new and inspiring content/ stories to share with our communities,” she considers adding, “We are upbeat and encouraged by the reception we have received on our social media platforms, as it has been mind blowing. Storytellers that would like to be featured have contacted us as well as potential partners.”
Because videos are increasingly playing a bigger role in education and community as a whole, IV would like for Journal to go beyond Rwanda. “We plan on branching out and eventually having content that honors and celebrates Innovators across the globe by telling their stories. We would love to see some of our content featured in international film festivals and possibly produce our own Journal FILM FEST & other Art Festivals. But the ultimate dream is to see Journal content being shared in more non- conventional platforms such as schools & libraries,” anticipates the Communications Manager.
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