The MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa Academy has graduated a fresh cohort of 20 aspiring filmmakers from Nigeria, Ghana, and across the region, marking a significant milestone in nurturing Africa’s next generation of storytellers.
The graduation ceremony, held in Lagos, celebrated students who successfully completed the Academy’s rigorous nine-month programme delivered in collaboration with Pan-Atlantic University. The curriculum combined academic training with hands-on industry experience, covering key areas such as directing, producing, scriptwriting, cinematography, and editing.
Speaking at the event, Dean of the School of Media & Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Ikechukwu Obiaya, encouraged graduates to embrace continuous growth. He noted that while the programme marks the end of one phase, it signals the beginning of a demanding but rewarding journey in the creative industry.
Also addressing the audience, Kemi Omotosho described the occasion as a defining moment for African storytelling. She emphasised that the graduates are now part of a creative force shaping narratives on the global stage, already contributing to job creation and community impact through their work.
The Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shuaib Husseini, commended MultiChoice for its sustained investment in talent development and urged the graduates to uphold discipline and strong character in their careers.
Academy Director Akaoma Onyeonoru expressed pride in the students’ resilience and dedication throughout the programme.
Beyond academic achievements, the ceremony highlighted the entrepreneurial drive of the graduates. Five students launched two companies during the programme: Muri Marun Stories, a production company, and CineX Mart Ltd, a marketing and distribution firm. Both ventures received the CEO’s Entrepreneurial Award, each securing ₦2 million in prize funding.
CineX Mart has already begun making industry strides, successfully distributing the short film “The Phone Call” on Minflix and managing marketing for the MTF production “Trouble for Two.”
Creative excellence was also recognised on the global stage. Ghanaian student Kwaku Edusei Acquah won the Audience Choice Award at the Lift-Off Global Network Film Festival for his film “The Imperfect Plan.” His achievement was complemented by strong projects from fellow students Amirat Yakub and Emmanuella Nwachukwu.
In further recognition of his talent, Acquah received the Creative Innovator Award from the University for the Creative Arts, alongside a £1,500 grant to support his continued creative development.
The graduation underscores the growing influence of structured film education in Africa and signals a promising future for the continent’s creative economy.
