MultiChoice academy opens doors


By Priscillia Alao
October 10, 2018

News
L-R Femi Odugbemi, Steve Ayorinde; Dr Idris Ziblim, John Ugbe and Dr Mike Okolo

African pay TV group MultiChoice has launched its long-awaited talent academy in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy (MTF Academy) will give 20 skilled Nigerian and Ghanaian individuals a one-year funded opportunity to learn skills in storytelling, film editing, cinematography and audio production. Filmmaker Odugbemi, the academy’s West Africa director, will pass on his knowledge in film and TV production to the students.

In addition to Odugbemi, Monday’s launch was attended by Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State commissioner of arts, culture and tourism; Dr Idris Ziblim, Ghana’s deputy minister of arts, culture and tourism; John Ugbe, regional MD of MultiChoice Nigeria; and Dr Mike Okolo from the Pan Atlantic University.

Ayorinde expressed his appreciation to MultiChoice for organising the initiative and giving Nigerian youths the opportunity to learn film and TV production. “MultiChoice deserves huge commendation, and these 20 students should consider themselves lucky,” he said.

“They need to acknowledge the fact that stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Nigeria and across the continent expect a lot from them and should make good use of this opportunity.”

MultiChoice’s Ugbe added: “The film and television industry is the pioneer of creative industries in Africa and is particularly relevant as a tool for shaping the African narrative. We have been telling authentic and well-produced stories that only Africans themselves can tell.

“Nevertheless, there is a lot of raw talent that needs to be nurtured and polished. The academy will give such talent the opportunity to hone their skills, thereby increasing the pool of world-class talent within the industry. It’s also about teaching the selected candidates the business of film and television.”

Odugbemi said: “The talented creatives who will go through the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy will be primed as key players in the growth and sustainability of Africa’s creative film and television industry.

“As academy director, I will be preparing these candidates as future business owners who will, in turn, play their own part in building the economy around the industry. It’s time that we not only reap the rewards of high-quality TV and film products but also equally benefit from the investments behind the lens.”

tagged in: