MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa has graduated 57 students who worked tirelessly to hone their skills and develop their craft across three academies in West, East, and Southern Africa.
The graduation ceremony of the 2022 cohort of the Academy was held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos State during the weekend.
To receive their qualifications that have been conferred by the three partnering universities on the day, top graduates from each of the academies were presented with an opportunity to further their development with various internships sponsored by MTF partner organisations.
The top graduates who were awarded an eight-week scholarship at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) include Adedamola Akapo from Nigeria, Melkamu Haile from Ethiopia, and Lushinjilo Victor Kasanga from Zambia. Some top graduates who were also awarded a two-week Bollywood internship with Zee World are Emmanuel Horla Nuvor from Ghana, Audrey Egesa from Kenya, and Yvonne Feresu from Zimbabwe.
Additionally, top graduates Oluwatoyosi Fowode from Nigeria, Kenneth Msanjila from Tanzania, and Larona Dichaba have been awarded a two-week internship at a local film and TV production in South Africa.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the chief executive officer of MultiChoice, John Ugbe also announced the CEO Award of N2 million to the most enterprising students who collaborated to set up production companies. The award went to Divergence, a production start-up company founded by members of the graduating cohort, Samuel Ishola, Ibrahim Mamman, and Oluwatoyosi Fowode.
In his congratulatory address, Ugbe said “Your success was not given, rather it was well earned. You braved through the challenges of virtual classes and transitioned back to normalcy.”
“As visual creatives, always keep in mind the responsibility you carry and the role you play. The world is ready for authentic African storytellers to shape the perception of this vibrant generation. Take up the challenge and express your gifts. I know you will tell great stories,” Ugbe said
He further reiterated MultiChoice’s resolution to enable the development of Africa’s creative industry through the Talent Factory. “For us at MultiChoice, we are committed to empowering Africa’s creative industry through experiential filmmaking and novel content creation, these will shape Africa’s creative industries into economic powerhouses through creative young men and women like you.” He concluded.
MultiChoice Talent Factory Director, Nwabisa Matyumza said “The common saying is that the world is your oyster, but for creative TV and filmmakers, we say the world is your canvas! When you were chosen to be part of the MTF Class of 2022, you brought along your talents and all the Factory did was help you structure and polish what was already there. It is for this reason that I have every belief that you will carry the MTF Alumni badge with pride and excellence. I challenge you to do one thing: to tell Africa’s future stories with care, dignity, boldness, and with passion. And whilst you do that, remember to go out and pay it forward. Take time to uncover young talent within whatever sphere you find yourself in’’.
Also speaking, the acting dean, of the School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Ngozi Okpara, described the MTF Academy as a springboard to a career in the entertainment industry that produces a close-knit community of professionals with a willingness to narrate Africa’s stories to the world.
“MultiChoice Talent Factory empowers students to become great storytellers by equipping them with up-to-date information and technology. From a creative entrepreneurial perspective, we empower them to become employers of labour,” she added.