Tag Archives: MultiChoice Talent Factory

MultiChoice Talent Factory seeks applicants

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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has started accepting applications for its film and TV training programme scheduled to take place in 2022.

Yolisa Phahle

About 60 emerging filmmakers with either industry experience or a relevant post-school qualification in film can apply to be a part of the programme.

MTF is taking applications from 13 African countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Angola and Mozambique. To apply, click here.

The selected students will take part in the MTF Masterclasses, backed by industry partners including Dolby, CBS Justice and Jasco Broadcast Solutions. The top-performing student from each region will be awarded a scholarship by the New York Film Academy of Visual & Performing Arts.

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO of general entertainment and connected video, said: “The MTF Academy is our commitment to the future of our industry and gives young Africans the chance to hone their television and film production skills through a world-class training programme. After two successful years, we’re proud to announce a new call to entry to and look forward to meeting the next generation of African filmmakers.”

Cheryl Uys-Allie, director of the MTF initiative, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic was undoubtedly a difficult challenge for all involved in keeping the MTF Academy programme going as well as the students. The unwavering support from stakeholders, partners and students has nevertheless been overwhelming. We couldn’t be more excited to have reached our third year as one of MultiChoice Group’s anchor shared-value initiatives directly investing in the next generation of African storytellers.”

The MTF Academy was launched in May 2018 and has so far given 120 students the opportunity to harness their expertise in film and TV and become skilled industry professionals.

The deadline for applications is 17.00 SAST on June 30.

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MultiChoice Talent Factory debuts film series

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Pay TV group MultiChoice has launched a series of short films from training scheme the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) on its DStv platform.

Yolisa Phahle

Colours of Africa, comprising 16 short films, has been launched as a celebration of African cinema.

All of the films are directed by the MTF academy class of 2020 and are in line with the MultiChoice Group’s support for the preservation and celebration of African history, culture and traditions through film and TV.

The titles are as follows: East Africa Academy films Egna (Ethiopia), Rebirth (Kenya), Ruracio (Kenya), Johari (Tanzania) and Engaito (Uganda); Southern Africa Academy films The Secrets of the Kingdom (Angola), Cradle (Botswana), Manda Aliza (Malawi), The Lobola (Mozambique), Kegumbo Okegumbo (Namibia), NYAU (Zambia), Lost in Culture (Zambia) and Figure It Out (Zimbabwe); and West Africa Academy films Oko K3 Akuetey (Ghana), Bride Untangled (Nigeria) and Omugwo (Nigeria).

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice group CEO of general entertainment and connected video, said: “The Colours of Africa film series is one of the many ways that MultiChoice celebrates young film talent in Africa. We are proud to honour Africa Day by celebrating the work of the MTF Academies’ class of 2020 in this way. The film series also speaks to MultiChoice’s commitment to developing and nurturing the abundance of young talent who represent the future of our industry.”

Cheryl Uys-Allie, director of the MTF initiative, added: “The theme of the collection of films is ‘connecting generations through storytelling’. What is particularly beautiful about the series is that the MTF students produced the short films in their home countries, adding local context, voice and visuals to their cinematic expression in the Colours of Africa series. The series also speaks to the purpose of MTF to ensure that we invest in the next generation of storytellers with knowledge shared by skilled professionals in the industry.”

The series can be watched on the M-Net Movies AfroCinema Film Festival pop-up channel, DStv channel 198, GOtv Max, GOtv Plus and on Showmax on Africa Day and beyond.

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MultiChoice unveils training initiative

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Pay TV company MultiChoice has announced a training initiative aimed at revolutionising African television and improving the quality of its content across the continent.

Fhulufhelo Badugela

The initiative is a partnership with local channels in several African territories and the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the company’s industry development and training scheme.

The new training programme will feature online learning courses, masterclasses with local and international industry leaders, practical training and short courses in post-production, sound, screenwriting, 3D animation and cinematography.

MultiChoice Africa CEO Fhulufhelo Badugela said: “Our vision is to upskill production professionals and to raise the standard of productions right across Africa. This will boost Africa’s film and television industry exponentially, because as you capacitate more people, more people are motivated to start projects and everybody benefits, including the viewers.

“This is an investment in the future of our industry, and investment goes beyond financial investment; it also requires skills, time and a core understanding of the consumer needs. But the most immediate impact will be to raise the standard of productions across Africa.”

According to Badugela, the programme will enable local job creation, lead to more productions, contribute to the economy, respond to the ongoing consumer demand for quality local entertainment, and boost viewership and the financial viability of the African TV industry.

“We have seen the impact investments can have. In Zimbabwe, we ran a training programme to support the launch of new local entertainment channels. The standard of the new channels is excellent, and the market has really opened up in terms of the productions being launched and the calibre of Zimbabwe’s filmmakers,” said Badugela.

“Improving the skills of our TV professionals will give audiences more choice and more chance to see themselves reflected in the content they consume. It’s about quality African content for African viewers.”

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MultiChoice names new MTF director

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African pay TV company MultiChoice has appointed Atinuke Ngozi Babatunde as the new academy director at its talent incubator, the MultiChoice Talent Factory.

Atinuke Ngozi Babatunde

Babatunde has over 20 years of industry experience, spanning entertainment, branding, research, media management, marketing and strategy. In her new role, she will responsible for ensuring that talented creatives are given world-class training at the MultiChoice Talent Factory academy.

Babatunde joined M-Net (Africa Magic) in 2014 as the head of channel for Africa Magic Entertainment, which is now called Africa Magic Showcase. She became head of channel for Africa Magic Urban in 2015 and led the team that converted the channel from a movie-only service to the current general entertainment channel.

Babatunde was also the head of the channel for Africa Magic Igbo and led the team that launched it on the MultiChoice-owned DStv satellite platform. In 2018, the Africa Magic Epic channel was added to her portfolio of channels, and she drove the content acquisition strategy for the four channels.

Babatunde holds an MSc degree from the University of Lagos and an MBA from the Lagos Business School, where she graduated with distinctions in marketing, entrepreneurship and strategy.

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Kaplan delivers Masterclass for MultiChoice

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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a multi-tiered training programme designed by pay TV group MultiChoice Africa, is launching a new series hosted by South Africa-based film and TV veteran Ken Kaplan.

Reatile Tekateka

The MTF in Focus Masterclass series will see producer, director, and creative executive Kaplan in virtual conversation with creative technical professionals from across Africa’s film and TV industry.

These include Kenyan producer Appie Matere, South African editor and director Vuyani Sondlo, Nigerian director, writer and producer Akin Omotoso, South African documentary filmmaker Michael Cross and cinematographer Kabelo ‘KB’ Thathe.

Reatile Tekateka, group executive head of corporate affairs at MultiChoice Africa, said: “Investing in the next generation of storytellers on a technical and creative level is something that has been at the heart of the MTF initiative. We’re excited to launch MTF in Focus, a series of in-depth virtual conversations with leading filmmakers from across the continent.”

The MTF Masterclasses have been held in various African countries in line with MultiChoice Africa’s strategy of technical and creative knowledge-sharing as a means of empowering emerging and professional creatives. They run alongside the MTF Academies, 12-month regionally funded training programmes aimed at upskilling the next generation of young film creatives.

MultiChoice has tailored its academy curriculum alongside its partner Mnet channels as well as curriculum-support partners including the Henley Business School Africa, Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Kenyatta University in Nairobi, and the University of Zambia in Lusaka.

To register for the MTF, click here.

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MultiChoice unveils MTF class of 2022

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African broadcaster MultiChoice has revealed the 60 new students selected to be part of the third cohort of its 12-month fully-funded academic programme slated to begin next month.

The 60 aspiring filmmakers were chosen after a six-week selection process across 13 African countries and will now will proceed to the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy hubs in Nairobi, Lagos and Lusaka.

Representing East Africa are Kalkidan Fessehaye (Ethiopia), Nahusenay Dereje (Ethiopia), Ritha Saxon (Tanzania), Christopher Masalu (Tanzania), Raimon Sanga (Tanzania), Kenneth Msanjila (Tanzania), Doreen Kilimbe (Tanzania), Audrey Egesa (Kenya), Bruno Tanya (Kenya), Cesylia Oketch (Kenya), Clerick Werimo (Kenya), Desmond Okeyo (Kenya), Josh Artkins (Kenya), Mary Njoroge (Kenya), Patrick Odongo (Kenya), Yvonne Wambua (Kenya), Nassanga Ann (Uganda), Justine Nabunya (Uganda), Phillip Sentamu (Uganda) and Tusabe Ivan (Uganda).

Representing Southern Africa are David Paulo Sapalo (Angola), Fabiana Alexandra da Barros (Angola), Larona Dichaba (Botswana), Refilwe Kathleen Onana Podi (Botswana), Asante Mbaimbai (Malawi), Chisomo Kawaga (Malawi), Nelson Omar Faquirà (Mozambique), Silvana Pombal (Mozambique), Jerome Claasen (Namibia), Jose Carlos Panduleni Amutenya (Namibia), Lucia Kim Hamunghete (Namibia), Amos Mwape (Zambia), Blessings Mainga (Zambia), Canicius Kabwe (Zambia), Catherine Zulu (Zambia), Daniel Lungu (Zambia), David Senkwe (Zambia), Victor Lushinjilo Kasanga (Zambia), Chimwemwe Chipidza (Zimbabwe) and Yvonne F Feresu (Zimbabwe).

Representing West Africa from Nigeria are Andrea Peregrino, Abimbola Akinrinbola, Ayo Lawson, Emmanuella Bakare, Doris Nwoye, Favour Eniayekan, Ibrahim Mamman, Murewa Ayodele, Oluwatoyosi Fowode, Omowonuola Giwa, Plangnan Amtu, Samuel Ishola, Temitope Mariam Odo, Teniola Oyelumade, Wapah Kelechi Ezeigwe and Tosin Alabi. Alice Johnson, Emmanuel Horla Nuvor, Kwame Addae and Nubuke Amoah represent West Africa from Ghana.

MTF’s partnership with the New York Film Academy will enable the new cohorts to learn how to produce micro documentaries, public service announcements, TV commercials and music videos, broadening their skillset and allowing them to be economically active in the film industry and in other sectors, according to MultiChoice.

Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment and connected video at MultiChoice, said: “As Africa’s most-loved storyteller, our commitment is not only to tell authentic African stories but to also invest in them. That is why some of our alumni are working on M-Net and Showmax productions.

“Currently, we have alumni in seven countries working on M-Net and Showmax productions, and the list keeps growing. They are helping us to realise the vision of taking African stories to the world with a hyperlocal approach, producing relevant content within the respective regions of our continent, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all strategy.”

According to MultiChoice Africa, the course qualification will be conferred on the students upon completion of the academy programme by its partner institutions – the Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Kenyatta University in Nairobi and the University of Zambia in Lusaka. They will also be offered an orientation intervention at the beginning and end of the programme and entrepreneurial workshops on business for creatives by the Henley Business School.

The MTF has honed the skills of 120 emerging filmmakers in 13 countries across the continent, who are now part of the growing MTF alumni network.

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MultiChoice Talent Factory opens webinars

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MultiChoice Talent Factory, in partnership with the Dolby Institute, has launched an online learning channel for content creators in the movie industry.

Femi Odugbemi

From now until June 4, recorded webinar series covering a range of topics will be made available on the MTF Portal every Thursday from 13.00 to 14.00 CAT.

The webinars will help creatives advance in the art of storytelling, whether they’re making a film, mixing the sound for a sporting event, or designing the next-generation music experiences.

Femi Odugbemi, MTF academy director, said: “West Africa is the leading video entertainment provider on the continent and MultiChoice recognises the importance of understanding sound to tell authentic African stories.

“This partnership with Dolby will benefit storytellers across the continent and support the growth of the home-grown entertainment industry.”

Participants can access the portal by clicking here.

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MTF offers free online masterclasses

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The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has begun accepting registrations for its new online masterclass series available on the MTF portal.

Yolisa Phahle

Starting off with a 20-module masterclass series tagged Produce Like a Pro, the masterclass offers exclusive access to practical, expert-led skills workshops that afford film and television professionals the ability to interact and learn from the best in Africa.

According to Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment, the offering is part of MultiChoice Group’s mission to upskill emerging creatives and seasoned professionals in the Film and TV industry.

The Produce Like a Pro series will compliment recorded masterclasses which address industry concerns such as accessibility, opportunity and quality in local productions and is available to over 25 000 registered users with a profile on the MTF portal.

“What makes the Produce Like a Pro series unique is that it’s been specially designed as an A to Z package for tools and templates to equip new producers with the know-how to operate in this industry. From budgeting to casting, the modules have been created by Marie Rosholt, a highly esteemed pioneer in reality television as executive producer of 12 series of Big Brother, Survivor, Fear Factor, Deal or No Deal and other series,” said Phahle.

“The recorded masterclasses have been filmed and packaged by our MTF students sharing the industry masterclasses hosted by our MTF Academies in Lagos, Nairobi and Lusaka, with leading industry experts including Tunde Kelani, Christian Epps and Steve Gukas.”

The MTF portal is a pan-African, film and television digital marketplace for information sharing on all aspects of Africa’s creative industry. The MTF portal offers open, cost-free access to film creatives across Africa to showcase their talent, access opportunities, stay up to date with industry news and expand their industry network.

To register, click here.

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MTF preps cinematography masterclass

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Pay TV operator MultiChoice’s Talent Factory scheme (MTF) will hold a one-day masterclass in cinematography next week.

Taking place on Tuesday August 13, it will see award-winning film expert Christian Epps teaching directors of photography so they can move to the next level in their craft.

Epps’ career spans across major motion pictures, broadcast television, commercials, live theatre, dance, music videos and special events.

Interested persons can apply by sending their CV to [email protected]. Applicants must have a minimum of five years’ work experience as either a director of photography or a cinematographer.

MTF academy director Femi Odugbemi said: “We recognise the importance of continuous improvement in visually telling our stories and Cinematography is a key pillar of that objective.”

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MultiChoice academy unveils student films

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Two films produced by the first intake of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) academy are airing on television this month.

Esther Beukes, Roger Gertze, Toivo Ashivudhi, Stanley Simataa and Sally Jason

The Painting was broadcast on October 18 at 21.00 and Savannah Skies will air on October 25 at 21.00 on DStv’s Zambezi Magic channel 162.

The 20 students of the class of 2018 underwent a grueling interview process and hail from seven countries within southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Stanley Simataa, minister of Information and communication technology in Namibia, where three of the students come from, said: “The interest exhibited by MultiChoice in developing Africa’s creative industry and the willingness the business shows is a key endeavour that will harness the potential for growth within the Namibian film industry, whilst showing positive economic contribution through job creation, cultural transformation and social development.”

Roger Gertze, MD of MultiChoice Namibia, said: “It was rewarding for me to see how determined and aspirational our Namibians were when they shared their experiences with our 2019 intake and we are proud of Esther Beukes, Toivo Ashivudhi and Sally Jason for the wonderful stories they were able to tell through the two showcased films.”

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MTF Academy seeks film, TV creatives

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Pan-African networking platform MultiChoice Talent Factory is on the look-out for 60 aspiring film and TV creatives from 13 African countries to join the MTF Academy 2019.

The countries involved include Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Angola and Mozambique.

Aimed at igniting Africa’s creative industry through TV and filmmaking, this is another opportunity for young filmmakers to hone the skills they have in television and film production under the mentorship of industry experts like Berry Lwando, Njoki Muhoho and Femi Odugbemi, respectively.

Set to join in October, the selected students will be part of the fully funded programme at three academy hubs in southern Africa (Lusaka, Zambia), East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) and West Africa (Lagos, Nigeria).

They will have hands-on training in the film industry, storytelling, cinematography, production, audio and directing. They will also be able to work on live sets during local TV productions and create original content that will be aired on various local M-Net channels across MultiChoice’s platforms DStv, GOtv and Showmax.

To apply, visit www.multichoicetalentfactory.com before June 14.

In an effort to invest in Africa’s creative industry, MultiChoice Talent Factory recently introduced the MTF Masterclass series as well as the MTF Portal, which brings together talent and opportunities on one platform.

A statement on the company’s website reads thus: “At MultiChoice Africa, the African entertainment industry is at the core of who we are and what we do. This social investment programme shows our commitment – alongside long-term partnerships with government, stakeholders and creative organisations – to develop Africa’s creative industries into vibrant, economic centres. This is how MultiChoice uses the power of entertainment to enrich lives.”

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MultiChoice initiative partners NY academy

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MultiChoice Africa’s flagship initiative the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has partnered with a renowned US visual and performing arts school, the New York Film Academy (NYFA).

Cheryl Uys-Allie

The aim of the collaboration is to support the development of young filmmakers who are attending MTF academies across Africa.

The MTF’s mission is to ignite Africa’s already established creative industries through training and skills development. It has already begun its masterclasses in various African cities with the aim of upskilling film and TV creatives in cinematography, audio and storytelling to improve the quality of local productions.

Cheryl Uys-Allie, MTF’s director, said: “This groundbreaking collaboration speaks to our commitment to partnering with industry experts such as the NYFA to promote and protect the growth of Africa’s creative industries,

“Our East Africa academy director, Njoki Muhoho, is an NYFA alumnus, having studied filmmaking at the Los Angeles campus, and we’re excited to be collaborating with the Academy in being able to offer incredible opportunities to our students and the sector as a whole.”

The NYFA, which has supported African content creators for more than a decade, is committed to empowering and developing filmmakers across the world and through this partnership, MultiChoice says it continues its commitment to enrich lives by igniting the creative industry on the continent.

Jim Miller, VP of the NYFA, said: “The New York Film Academy is honoured to be a part of the enrichment, development and fostering of storytellers across Africa, a continent steeped in a rich history of dynamic, creative and passionate visual and performing artists.

“Over the years, NYFA has been privileged to have hosted hundreds of students – from dozens of African nations – many who have found outstanding success in their national industries when they returned home. This MTF and NYFA collaboration is a natural extension of our commitment to help bolster the skills of talented African storytellers.”

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MTF alumni attend NYFA workshop

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Three MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) alumni have travelled to the US to attend the New York Film Academy (NYFA) workshop.

Mainala Silondwa (Zambia), Gilbert Bassey (Nigeria) and Hillary ‘Hillax’ Lanogwa (Kenya) emerged from the MTF’s three campuses in west, east and southern Africa and were selected as top of their classes for the prestigious full-tuition scholarship award.

Silondwa and Lanogwa, who are part of the inaugural MTF cohort, have been given a lifetime’s opportunity to participate in the NYFA eight-week filmmaking workshop whilst Gilbert will start the programme at a later date.

Silondwa, director and screenwriter, co-wrote the screenplay for student film The Painting, cinematographer Lanogwa was the camera operator on student films Ensulo and Promises, while Bassey, a producer, director and editor, was the assistant director on student film Dreamchaser.

Expanding on MTF’s mission to empower emerging filmmakers through training, skills and creative development, they will be trained on the craft of filmmaking in an intensive environment and also challenged to produce five films within two months.

Each student will write, direct and edit a final film, which will be showcased at a screening in New York, and a NYFA certificate and digital master copy of their projects will be given to students who complete the workshop.

Jim Miller, VP at NYFA, said: “All of us at the Academy are extremely proud to have MTF Academy’s special award alumni Mainala Silondwa, Hillary Lanogwa and Gilbert Bassey join us for their eight-week filmmaking workshops at NYFA’s New York City campus. These astonishingly talented filmmakers – who each have the passion and commitment to become creative professionals – will certainly excel in our programmes, which will immerse them in NYFA’s philosophy of hands-on intensive learning.”

Reatile Tekateka, executive head of corporate affairs at MultiChoice Africa, said: “Through strategic partnerships with widely acclaimed institutions such as the NYFA, Africa’s creative industries are enriched through skills sharing and exposure to global best practice. We’re excited for our alumni and we hope that this opportunity will empower them to tell authentic African stories to a global audience.”

Bassey said: “It’s the first time that I will travelling out of Nigeria, and it is to do something that I love. I look forward to what this will bring to my career – it’s undoubtedly a big step on the path to mastery. Being a part of MTF was a solid experience, so this, I believe, will build on that. I’m looking forward to learning more about production and the business of filmmaking, such as using the little that we have to push us forward.”

The NYFA, which currently partners with MultiChoice Africa, has supported African content creators across the continent by hosting workshops with the intention of continuing its efforts to fortify film development internationally.

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MultiChoice rolls out masterclasses

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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), the flagship show from MultiChoice Africa, is set to hold its inaugural masterclasses in 13 countries.

Roger Gertze

Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and Ethiopia will all host  MTF masterclasses, with the first taking place between today and February 20. Dates for masterclasses in other countries will be announced shortly.

Aimed at improving the quality of local productions by developing the technical skills of creatives in audio, storytelling and cinematography, the workshops will offer “best in class” training to film and TV industry professionals.

They will be led by industry experts such as Femi Odugbemi, director of MTF Academy West Africa; South African director and producer Bobby Heaney; award-winning Kenyan film producer Appie Matere; Jonathan Kovel, the cinematographer behind award-winning South African film Ayanda; Dolby India sound consultant Vikram Joglekar; and pan-African storytelling and creative consultant Allison Triegaardt.

MultiChoice Namibia MD Roger Gertze said: “We are excited about the launch of this next touchpoint of MTF, as it reaffirms our commitment to supporting the industry and promoting sustainability in the industry by creating shared value across the business through quality programming for our customers and enriching lives.

“The success of these MTF masterclasses will, over time, deliver a more professionalised and networked film and television industry across Africa and an expanded community of highly skilled professionals who are passionate about creating quality homegrown content.”

The MTF Academy students have been primed as key players in the growth and sustainability of Africa’s creative film and television industry through the support of Dolby Laboratories and Fox Portugal.

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MultiChoice reveals Talent Factory shortlist

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Broadcaster MultiChoice has released the names of 20 shortlisted applicants who have been selected to join the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF).

Femi Odugbemi

Narrowing it down from about 3,000 applicants from Ghana and Nigeria, the MTF judges made their selections based on the candidates’ industry qualifications and their passion for telling the African narrative.

Femi Odugbemi, film director and producer and MTF regional director, said: “From the thousands of applications received, it’s evident there’s a strong desire to learn from and work with other African creatives.

“Not only will the MultiChoice Talent Factory be a springboard to a career in the entertainment industry, it will also create a closely knit community of African professionals with a willingness to narrate Africa’s stories to the world,” he added.

The shortlisted students include Nigerian candidates Idongesit Amba, Allen Onyige, Gilbert Bassey, Precious Iroagalachi, Nanret Paul Kumbet, Akpera Mnena, Umm’salma Saliu, Ugwu Uchenna Eileen, Sonia Nwosu, Moses Akerele, Metong Minwon, Bolaji Adelakun, Joseph Adeniyi, Kemi Tamara Adeyemi, Tochukwu Nwaiwu and Blessing Bulus.

John Ugbe

The Ghanaian candidates are Edmund Kobby Asamoah, Henry Konadu Denkyira, Irene Dumevi Yaamoakoa and Patience Esiawonam Adisenu.

MultiChoice will sponsor the students’ tuition, accommodation and stipend for the duration of their training in the academy. The MTF academy will begin on October 1.

John Ugbe, MD of MultiChoice, said: “As a company that is deeply rooted in Nigeria, we understand that many young, aspiring filmmakers have the capacity to learn and strengthen their skillset to give back to their communities but may not be financially equipped to do so.

“The MultiChoice Talent Factory focuses on making sure that those gems are nurtured and their talents developed to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industry.”

From next month, MTF students will begin to acquire new skillsets required to work in the television and film industry. At the end of the 12-month programme, they will be expected to produce content for TV and film that will air on M-Net channels as part of MultiChoice pay TV platforms DSTV and GOtv.

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MultiChoice opens talent academy

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MultiChoice, owner of pan-African pay TV platforms DSTV and GOtv, has launched a new initiative to boost the African creative industries.

John Ugbe

MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is intended to improve the African film and television industry and comprises three parts: an academy, masterclasses and a portal.

It began with the launch of a regional academy, which offers a 12-month educational curriculum, in Lagos. Others are located in Kenya and Zambia.

Sixty applicants from 13 countries will be admitted to the MTF Academy, which will begin classes on October 1. Applications are currently open and will close on the June 5.

John Ugbe, MD of MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “The film and television industries have not developed at the same pace as other industries on the continent, and not for a lack of talent, passion or imagination. We are abundantly blessed in these areas. However, the space given for this expression has at best been limited and, at worst, been relegated to the fringes of the mainstream economy, leaving in its wake, unfulfilled dreams, unexplored talent and unwritten stories.”

Femi Odugbemi, the director of the MTF Academy, West Africa, said: “We must consciously build capacity so that our next-generation filmmakers and producers can also create wealth and create employment by being entrepreneurs.”

MTF Academy students are expected to produce content for TV and film which will air on DSTV and GOtv.

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MultiChoice academy gets 3,000 applicants

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MultiChoice Africa has received more than 3,000 applications from across the continent for its Talent Factory training academy.

Femi Odugbemi

Candidate interviews and screenings are now underway as judges select 60 people to join the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF).

Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to hone their skills in television and film production as they undergo training at the MTF academy in Lagos. Classes will begin on October 1.

Highlighting the importance of the academy, filmmaker and MTF West Africa director Femi Odugbemi said: “The next generation must understand that, as filmmakers, they are the historians of the modern age.”

Femi, who is also among the judges, added :“We have got to have great filmmakers who are willing to take on big themes and unearth untold stories, and all of that requires us to be deliberate about how we mentor the next generation. We have to be very deliberate that the next generation will not tell stories uneducated.”

 

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