Kenyans Dominate in East Africa As Multichoice Talent Factory Academy Students are Announced

Multichoice Talent Factory Academy has chosen 20 Emerging Filmmakers from East Africa are set to begin a 12-month training program on October 1, 2018, to be the first ever students in the institution.

The candidates were chosen after a two-months-long process of shortlisting candidates from over 3 000 entries from 13 countries in Africa, this was followed by a rigorous interview and adjudication process by a group of film and television industry experts and regional Academy Directors.

The 20 future filmmakers from East Africa were selected based on their industry related qualifications and skills, as well as their passion to narrate Africa’s unique stories.

Kenyans took majority with 11 slots and the chosen ones include Adala Makhulo, Michelle Angawa, Tecla Joan, Shilla Gathoni, Mary Wanjiku, Samuel Makau, Hillary Lanogwa, Karanja Ngendo, Antony Njoroge, Millan Lwanga, and Hillary Sabuni.

Sarah Kimario, Wilson Nkya, Jamal Kishuli, and Jane Moshi were selected from Tanzania while Cissy Nalumansi, Hilda Awori, Aaron Tamale, and Casey Lugada were chosen from Uganda. There was only one Ethiopian, Fisehatsion Nibret.

These individuals will represent their respective countries at the Kenya-based MTF Academy from 1 October. MultiChoice Africa will sponsor the students’ tuition, accommodation, and stipend for the duration of their training in each regional hub.

The MTF Academy students will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production, and storytelling.

“We’re exceptionally impressed with the caliber of young Africans chosen to be part of the inaugural MultiChoice Talent Factory. Their applications illustrated their passion for the continent – they talk about making African stories go viral and getting international audiences addicted to high-quality and engaging local content,” says award-winning scriptwriter Njoki Muhoho, who will spearhead the East Africa MTF Academy hub in Kenya.

During the program, MTF Academy students will produce television and film content that will be aired on our local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platform including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms. Upon graduation from the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, the MTF student will leave with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to Africa’s film and television industry.

As a company that is deeply rooted in Kenya, we understand that many young, aspiring filmmakers have the capacity to learn and strengthen their skill set to give back to their communities but may not be financially equipped to do so. The MultiChoice Talent Factory focuses on making sure that those gems are nurtured and their talent developed to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industry,” said Eric Odipo, Managing Director MultiChoice Kenya