The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy, established five years ago by African pay TV group MultiChoice, has started accepting applications for its upcoming training programme for 2023, set to be held in October.
Some 60 emerging filmmakers from southern, western and eastern African countries will be selected to be part of the 12-month fully funded programme, which is aimed at developing their television and film production skills.
The filmmakers will be taught topics ranging from direction to sound design and the business of film, as well as receiving workplace experience on some of MultiChoice channel M-Net’s top productions.
They will also get enhanced training experience from the Academy partnerships, with the likes of New York Film Academy, Henley Business School, Dolby and Canon.
The three new academy directors who will spearhead this year’s programme are Atinuke Babatunde (West Africa hub), Victoria Goro (East Africa hub) and Christopher Puta (Southern Africa hub).
Babatunde said: “This couldn’t be a more exciting opportunity for African film and TV content creators. There are so many stories on our continent that need to be told and documented with a sense of skill and passion that only a programme such as the MTF Academy can train young people to do. I can’t wait to be a part of this journey.”
“As someone passionate about training and knowledge sharing, there’s just nothing that can match the level of expertise and practical experience that the class of 2023 is set to gain. The fact that the MTF programme also results in alumni establishing production companies after graduation, thereby thriving in self-employment, tells you all you need to know about the success of this programme,” added Goro.
Puta, who believes the growth of Africa’s film and TV industry starts with providing young people with the opportunity to produce quality content, added: “By equipping students with what it takes to be world-class film and TV professionals, the MTF Academy programme is effectively raising the next generation of African storytellers and historians.”
MTF director Nwabisa Matyumza said: “The continued support from stakeholders, partners and students has been overwhelming, and we couldn’t be more excited to have reached our fifth year as one of the MultiChoice Group’s leading initiatives directly investing in young African filmmakers.”
To apply for the MTF Academy class of 2023, click here. Applications close on June 3.
tagged in: Atinuke Babatunde, Christopher Puta, M-Net, MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, Victoria Goro