German net preps music doc Fonko

German regional broadcaster WDR is working up a music documentary with indie First Hand Films.

Fonko is launching at MIPTV today and is about African music. It comes in 6x26mins, 3x52mins and 1x90mins formats.

Fonko presents modern Africa in a completely new way,” said Jutta Krug, commissioning editor, WDR. “This film is not about hunger, droughts or civil war, as often presented in mainstream media. Instead, Fonko shows a continent on the move which expresses itself in a vibrant, globalised music scene that is setting the tone internationally, and influencing musicians and producers worldwide.”

Sweden’s SVT is also a coprodcer, along with Sweden-based Story AB. Australia’s SBS is a prebuyer.