MTF provides fertile ground for the roots of African film

Staff Writer | Monday September 9, 2024 10:23

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, amongst others. The past year has seen MTF continue to shine, with key highlights across different regions: Southern Africa • N&M Productions, a scriptwriting and film administration company, is a successful company founded by two MTF Alumni in Botswana, Serena Mmifinyana and Nikita Mokgware. 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, France and South Africa.

Reflecting on their journey Nikkita and Serena had this to say:

“Meeting for the first time ever in MTF was the beginning of something we never saw coming: a partnership that would span years and take us on a journey of storytelling. One that would see us rethink what the modern tale looks like through the eyes of an African, and how we could redefine what the world sees our experiences as. African stories have so many different layers. We enjoy writing stories that take genres and give them an African perspective, such as our first script together 'The Painting (2019)' that sought to tell an African horror with modern trappings. We also took a stab at a modern police drama based in Gaborone, Botswana called 'The Star (2020-2022)'. This year, we're continuing our journey in exploring and discovering how our cultural roots mesh with our modern reality.”

• 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. . 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.