MultiChoice Africa has launched the first graduates of its MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy for Southern Africa into the African film and television industry, hosting the graduation ceremony for the class of 2018-19 that included two Zimbabweans.
The 20 students have completed a rigorous 12-month film training programme, honing and sharpening their skills for careers within the production industry and graduated at a ceremony held at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication, receiving certificates for their successful participation in the MultiChoice Talent Factory’s inaugural course, which is a programme accredited by the university of Zambia.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory started last year with the launch of three academies, one each in Lusaka, Zambia (for Southern Africa), Nairobi, Kenya (for East Africa) and Lagos, Nigeria (for West Africa). The year-long course was aimed at supporting and encouraging excellence in filmmaking at post-school level. A second course will start on October 1 this year, with another group of 20 students already lined up for participation, again including two Zimbabweans.
Graduates of 2018-19 include Nobert Mapfoche and Rutendo Mahofa from Zimbabwe, who joined 18 regional colleagues for a course fully sponsored by MultiChoice Africa with tuition, accommodation and a stipend for the 12-month programme.
Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said: “The MTF Academy students have been provided with additional skills to further develop their talent and connect with industry professionals, allowing them to tell authentic African stories. Their comprehensive curriculum comprised theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling.”
During the programme, MTF Academy students produced two films that premiered before graduation and which will also be aired on our local M-Net channels across the continent including Africa Magic, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv a platforms. The films will also be available on the DStv Now app.
“The MTF students leave the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to Africa’s film and television industry and everyone is delighted that this means a major boost for the continental production industry, which is complemented by the 20 graduates from each of the Nairobi and Lagos academies,” said Ms Dziva..
In addition to the certificates for each student, seven awards were presented to students who excelled during the programme, including Mainala Silondwa of Zambia, who was awarded an eight-week internship at the New York Film Academy in New York and Jonathan Kapumba of Malawi, who was awarded a three-week Bollywood internship in India. Nikita Mokgware of Botswana was awarded a four-week internship on an Africa Magic series in Nigeria, while Emanuel Goncalves of Angola was awarded an infinite AVID Media Composer Licence as the most promising video editor. Joshua Kafumukache of Zambia was awarded an Avid Pro Tools Licence as the most promising sound editor.
Two students received placements on SuperSport productions: ,Nobert Mapfoche of Zimbabwe, who will be taken up as a director and Emmanuel Mwape of Zambia as a producer. Both these students will join SuperSport immediately after graduation.
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