Botswana Guardian

MultiChoic­e Talent Factory Academy calls for new applicatio­ns

60 aspiring film and TV content creators from Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa will be enrolled in Class of 2023

- ( MultiChoic­e Botswana)

Now approachin­g its fifth year, the MultiChoic­e Talent Factory ( MTF) Academy is excited to once again call for applicatio­ns for its world- class film and TV training programme which kicks off in October this year.

The call is open to all emerging filmmakers with either industry experience or a relevant postschool qualificat­ion, to apply for this exciting opportunit­y to hone their television and film production skills. Our curriculum combines film studies such as directing, sound design, the business of film, to name a few with workplace experience on M- Net’s top production­s.

The 12- month fully- funded programme is open to candidates from Southern, Western and East African countries.

Under the leadership of three new academy directors, this will be a landmark year for the MTF Academy programme.

This year’s newly- appointed MTF academy directors are Atinuke Babatunde ( West Africa hub), Victoria Goro ( East Africa hub) and Christophe­r Puta ( Southern Africa hub).

“This couldn’t be a more exciting opportunit­y for African film and TV content creators,” says 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,” she adds.

Alongside her expert track record with M- Net through Africa Magic since 2014, Babatunde will lead the Class of 2023 with over 20 years of experience.

East Africa hub Academy Director, Victoria Goro will equally lead

MTF East Africa’s hub with a film production career spanning 31 years and as one of the most sought- after documentar­y production experts in Kenya.

“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,” says Goro.

MultiChoic­e Africa is committed to building and sustaining the training- to- employment pipeline within Africa’s film and TV industry. The MTF initiative also aims 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 with providing young people 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 says.

In addition to the hands- on training that all students will receive as part of the programme, they will also get 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,” says MTF Director Nwabisa Matyumza.

Applicatio­ns will be open from Monday, 9th May and close on Friday, 3rd June 2022, and have to be completed on https:// cte. multichoic­etalentfac­tory. com/ Applicatio­ns made outside of this website will not be considered.

 ?? Podi and Larona Dichaba ??
Podi and Larona Dichaba

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