A class of talented, young East African filmmakers have graduated from a prestigious film initiative organised by Multichoice.
The 20 Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF) Eastern Africa graduates completed a 12-month programme of workshops, lectures, practical film productions and masterclasses.
They gained skills in everything from screenwriting and editing to sound design, producing, and directing.
“We are proud of every single one of our graduates as they follow in the footsteps of more than 100 MTF East Africa alumni,” Academy Director Victoria Goro said during the graduation ceremony.
“Every year, we see them emerge with a fresh sense of direction in their lives, with useful skills, ready to help build our industry. We are therefore excited to see them become torchbearers of African filmmaking excellence.”
Timothy Owase, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Film Commission spoke at the event on behalf of Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports.
He praised the continent’s gifted youth and projected a bright future for the growing entertainment industry.
“Africa is home to an extraordinary wealth of talent, and the creative industries are a key driver of growth on the continent. From film and music to digital media and visual arts, our creative economy is poised to become one of the most dynamic and influential sectors in the global marketplace.”
He added: “Through initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable creative economy that not only drives job creation but also fosters a sense of pride in our unique African identity.”
The top four performers of this year’s cohort were also celebrated for their outstanding achievements.
First place went to Cyril Ondieki, who won a 6-week internship at New York Film Academy, Sihnemariam Abebe, who took second place, received a 2-week internship with Zee World, while Everbright Nkya and Agola Simon in third place earned a 2-week internship with MultiChoice in South Africa.
“MTF alumni continue to excel in the film industry with remarkable achievements,” Multichoice notes in a statement to Habari Digital.
“Doreen Kilimbe’s film Midnight Bride, commissioned by M-Net, has won multiple prestigious awards, including Best East African Film at the Uganda Film Festival, the Audience Award at Zambia’s Sotambe Film Festival, Best International Award at the Kalasha Film and TV Awards, and Best Actress at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.”
The statement adds: Kefa Igilo also received significant recognition with Love Transfusion nominated for Best International Film at the 10th AMVCA, and his work Forever Maybe commissioned as a Showmax reality series. Additionally, Nduruka Njoroge’s film Two Let won the Best Regional Award at the 2024 Kalasha Film and TV Awards.”
