MultiChoice Talent Factory provides fertile ground for the roots of the African film industry

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) nurtures talent and promotes sustainable development within Africa’s vibrant film and television sector. Spanning 14 countries across the continent, MTF offers a comprehensive training and development programme designed to empower emerging filmmakers and industry professionals.

Through education, hands-on experience, and strategic partnerships, MTF equips participants with the skills and networks needed to thrive in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.

Since the transition from the Magic in Motion academy in South Africa to the MultiChoice Talent Factory – and the establishment of the MTF academies in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana in 2018 – over 360 filmmakers have been trained by the MTF’s four academies in the past nine years and more than 370 films have been commissioned and produced by MTF graduates. Across the four MTF academies, over 390 bursaries have been awarded and more than 70 trainees have passed through the Scriptwriting Incubator.

With four academies strategically located in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and South Africa, MTF offers a diverse curriculum tailored to the unique contexts of each country. From providing internships with leading production companies to masterclasses for industry professional and by offering a pan-African digital networking platform, MTF is dedicated to building a pipeline of skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.

MTF also collaborates with global industry learning institutions, professional organisations, and broadcasters to enhance the programme. Partnerships with institutions such as the New York Film Academy and Lights, Camera, Diaspora!, a US-based non-profit social enterprise, provide students with film training, internships, mentorship and job-sharing opportunities.

In addition, MTF partnered with Zee World, an India-based broadcaster, offering students access to film training, internships, and the opportunity to produce short films for the Zee World (Zee Zonke) channel.

The impact of MTF’s work is evident in the numerous films and short films produced by its alumni, as well as their involvement in high-profile campaigns such as the United Nations #PledgetoPause initiative. Their works have earned them recognition in film festivals worldwide, including Cannes, the Toronto International, Nollywood Film Festival and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, among others.

The past year has seen MTF continue to shine, with key highlights across different regions:

East Africa 

• MTF East Academy showcased its work at the Africa Climate Summit, highlighting the importance of youth and climate action. Their presentation included a public service announcement titled “Be the Change Fight Climate Change”.
• Alumni from East Africa received accolades at various award ceremonies, underscoring the quality and impact of their work on both local and international platforms.

West Africa 

• Azeezah Sama, produced by a student in the class of 2023, was selected for the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival 2023 and Silicon Valley Film Festival 2023.
• A movie by the current class of 2023 was selected for the Lift-Off Filmmaker Festival 2023.
• Tejiri, produced by the class of 2021 in Ghana, was selected for the African Cinema Section in the International Festival of Author Film in Morocco.

Southern Africa 

• N&M Productions, a scriptwriting and film administration company, is a successful company founded by two MTF Alumni in Botswana. Their major first feature film, The Painting, was produced and screened in Lusaka and broadcast on Zambezi Magic.
• They also collaborated in making a second feature with Angolan filmmaker Levis Albano, titled Muti Mbi Ma Pessoa. It screened in Angola, Brazil, Portugal and France. South Africa.
• MTFza interns worked on over 30 professional productions in the past year, including the full season of Idols and top new shows like Adulting, My Brother’s Keeper, Champions and Gen Zee.
• They also assisted on several exciting MultiChoice events like the Springbok World Cup Squad announcements and victory celebrations and gained valuable insights from top industry experts through masterclasses and live theatre experiences.
• In Malawi, the establishment of certified short courses through MTF in January 2023 including post-production, sound engineering, screenwriting, 3D animation and cinematography, among others is starting to bear fruit. Dramedy series Kulemela, produced and filmed in Malawi, written in Chichewa by seasoned filmmaker, Precious Denja of Tauka Arts production company premiered on OneZed in March 2023. The 13-episode series is set in rural and urban Balaka and tells the story of the pursuit of dreams, strength of willpower, injustice and how people aren’t always who they appear to be.

On a more individual and alumni-run production company level, there are numerous success stories to uncover.

Award-Winning Storytellers Taj and Allen, alumni who joined forces to create Nostalgia Media, reached new heights with their prestigious AMVCA win for ‘Best Indigenous Series Award’. This recognition highlights the exceptional storytelling abilities honed during their MTF training.

Industry Game Changers Eric Okyerefo, Chioma Paul-Dike, and Igho Avuiroevarie, who met at MTF, have become industry leaders. Their collaboration led to Recce Solutions (streamlining location scouting) and Filmmakers Mart (a funding platform that secured over $500 000), expanding to Kenya and South Africa. They’ve even launched RollPay, a revolutionary payment solution for the film industry.

Championing Local Content Cathy Zulu’s work on My Horror Love Story provided a platform for abuse victims and captivated audiences. Her contributions extend beyond this impactful series, including transcribing the award-winning show “Mpali” and involvement in short films like Sargent 067 and Silent Echoes. Cathy’s dedication to Zambian content and diverse projects exemplifies the positive influence MTF graduates have on the local film industry.

Emmanuel Mwape, a multifaceted talent, continues to make significant strides. His documentary Metals is selected for a prestigious film festival in Morocco, and his AMVCA-nominated film Silver Lining will be available for streaming soon. Mwape's dedication extends beyond filmmaking as he remains committed to nurturing the next generation by leading the Zambia Short Film Festival and Film Lab training program.

Habtamu Sefiw Mekonen is an international Emmys JSC young creative award winner and Ethiopian filmmaker, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Habtamu founded Film Ethiopia and Ezil Entertainment, leading a team of talented creatives. With a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and a Master’s in Film Production from Addis Ababa University, he has also attended workshops at the New York Film Academy. His MTF training has been instrumental in his success, and he continues to contribute to the growth of the African film industry.

Rising Tanzanian filmmaker Kefa Igilo has quickly established himself as a rising star in the East African film industry. Kefa’s time at MTF was transformative, giving him the opportunity to work on major productions like Selena and Kina, gaining valuable experience in writing and storytelling. He also had the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors like Damaris Irungu, who taught him the mechanics of storytelling. After graduating from MTF, Kefa joined the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) as a producer, director, and news anchor. He has since produced several successful films, including Still Okay To Date? and Love Transfusion, which have been recognized with awards and nominations.

Thembalethu Mfebe’s love for art and storytelling started at a young age, drawing cartoon strips and fuelling his fascination with film and television. The perfect outlet for his creative expression, Thembalethu found himself propelled towards the world of film and production.

The MTF internship opportunity caught his attention through a television commercial and he decided to seize the chance. His journey in film and production has been nothing short of remarkable. He directed the first season of “Outlaws” for Tshedza Pictures and A Tribe Called Story – the production company he founded with fellow MTFza graduate Aluta Qupa – is in the development phase for three Mzansi Magic films.

Thembalethu is passionate about telling youthful stories that reflect love, fun, and high-stakes conflict within our society. He believes there is a thirst for more African stories globally, and he envisions a future where the industry receives bigger budgets and gains ownership of intellectual property, stimulating growth.

Lesedi Phaahla is a passionate screenwriter who hails from Johannesburg. He stumbled upon the MTF Sciptwriting Incubator as applications were about to close while searching for screenwriting programs, took the leap and landed in a world of possibilities.

Lesedi’s dream became a reality when he had the opportunity to work on the hugely successful Mzansi Magic series, Shaka iLembe. He first heard about the project in 2020 when Multichoice announced its development and found himself contributing to the production less than a year later.

He reflects on his time at MTF’s Talent Factory as an enlightening and transformative experience. As someone with no previous screenwriting experience, the program played a pivotal role in his development. Through weekly lectures at Wits University, immersion in exceptional writer’s rooms, and feedback from industry experts, Lesedi and his fellow participants grew exponentially.

Nkulukelo Mkhomazi is a visionary young storyteller is keen to take on the South African film and production industry.

Ngomoya’s introduction to the MultiChoice Talent Factory came through a television advertisement in 2014. A seed was planted in his heart and, nearly a decade later, he found himself part of the programme. As he embarked on his journey, he seized the chance to establish his production company, ngoMOYA Films, with the intention of creating compelling story content for television immediately after completing the program.

He characterizes his time at MTF as a well of opportunities, lessons and open doors. The program provided him with invaluable knowledge about the business side of the industry, enabling him to blend his creative aspirations with a solid foundation in production.

Ngomoya envisions a future filled with variety within the industry. He anticipates advancements in technology that will revolutionize storytelling, exploring new genres, and embracing the rich diversity of South African and African cultures. Additionally, he emphasises the need for greater respect and recognition for the industry’s contributions to society and its potential to uplift communities. His long-term vision revolves around establishing ngoMOYA Films as a platform that brings the industry closer to home, fostering financial stability and providing opportunities for individuals to fulfil their purpose while supporting their families. By maximizing the resources made available through the MultiChoice Extended Cuts Program, he intends to enhance the quality of productions and unleash a wealth of creativity within the industry.

Star Kganki’s passion for media and television was ignited by his knack for captivating people’s attention through his words. Star’s ability to captivate audiences with his energy and words soon caught the attention of a friend who encouraged him to pursue a career in storytelling. This pivotal moment set him on a path towards film production and motion pictures.

His journey took an exciting turn when Star joined the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) program. He describes it as one of the best things that ever happened to him, providing him with invaluable experiences and opportunities to network with industry professionals. Under the guidance of his mentor, Bobby Heaney, Star gained hands- on experience in various production houses and had the privilege of working alongside renowned talents. “The experience I gained during the MTF program was mind-blowing,” Star enthusiastically shares. “It felt like ten years of experience condensed into one year. I had the chance to pitch my ideas, work with talented individuals, and even direct my own film.”

Since completing the MTF program, Star has embarked on a remarkable journey, producing, and directing numerous films. His passion for storytelling shines through in his work, where he often explores the blend of drama and comedy to create engaging narratives. Through his films, Star aims to leave a lasting impact on audiences and showcase his unique perspective.

These achievements are just a glimpse of the success stories emerging from the 14 MTF programs across Africa. The program equips aspiring filmmakers with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of cinema. With MTF's dedication and the passion of its graduates, the African film industry is poised for even greater heights.