Multichoice is on the lookout for 60 aspiring film and TV content creators from Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa to be part of the Class of 2023, a fully funded programme, aimed at equipping young talent with the skills to produce good content.
The Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy, now in its fifth year, is inviting applications for its film and TV training programme, which kicks off in October this year. The fully funded, 12-month programme is open to candidates from Southern, Western and East African countries.
All emerging filmmakers with some industry experience or a relevant post-school qualification qualify to apply and hone their television and film production skills. The curriculum combines film studies such as directing, sound design, and the business of film, to name a few with workplace experience on M-Net’s top productions.
With newly appointed MTF academy directors, Atinuke Babatunde (West Africa hub), Victoria Goro (East Africa hub) and Christopher Puta (Southern Africa hub), at the helm, MTF Academy hopes this will be a landmark year.
“This couldn’t be a more exciting opportunity for African film and TV content creators,” stated West Africa hub Academy Director Atinuke Babatunde.
“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.”
Alongside her expert track record with M-Net through Africa Magic since 2014, Babatunde, who has more than 20 years of experience, will lead the Class of 2023.
East Africa hub Academy Director Victoria Goro, who has a film production career spanning 31 years and is one of the most sought-after documentary production experts in Kenya, will lead MTF East Africa’s hub.
“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,” noted Goro.
The MTF initiative is aiming for a 60/40 split in favour of women since its inception.
Coming in with 15 years of experience in audio and video production, Southern Africa Academy Director Christopher Puta believes that the growth of Africa’s film and TV industry starts rests with the youth and believes they must be provided with the opportunity to produce quality content.
“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.” he stated.
In addition to hands-on training, students will also receive enhanced training experience from the Academy partnerships, which include the New York Film Academy (NYFA), the Henley Business School, Dolby and Canon, among others.
Previous cohorts have also worked with the United Nations’ Verified campaign and have pitched projects to Partners Against Piracy (PAP) and Creative Development on a climate change campaign.
“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,” stated MTF Director Nwabisa Matyumza.
Submissions will be accepted until Friday, June 3, 2022.
