Nineteen young aspiring filmmakers yesterday graduated from the Multichoice Talent Factory.
The programme, which spanned 12 months, was in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.
Of the 19 graduands of Class of ’22, three students, who distinguished themselves during the programme, also won prizes for internship abroad at the event tagged: ‘Celebrating The Next Generation of StoryTellers’.
Topping the list was Adedamola Akapo, who will be heading for the New York Film Academy for two months internship.
Next was Emmanuel Nuvor who heads for Bollywood film industry in India; and Oluwatoyosi Fowode, who will be going to South Africa.
A company, Ace Divergence, formed by three of the graduating students: Samuel Ishola, Oluwatoyosi Fowode and Ibrahim Mamman, also won a grant of N2million, courtesy Multichoice Limited, as way of encouraging entrepreneurship among the graduands.
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Multichoice CEO, John Ugbe, who congratulated the graduands for taking the bold step, charged: “As visual creatives, always keep in mind the responsibility you carry and the role you played. The world is ready for authentic African storytellers to shape the perception of this vibrant generation. Take up the challenge and express your gifts. I know great stories will be told through you.”
Executive Director/CEO National Film and censors Board, Adedayo Thomas, who commended the graduands for their tenacity during the duration of the course, also advised them to “take charge, the baton is being handed over to you.”
He also advised them not to miss any opportunity at networking, as this could be critical.
To the partners, he said, “You have invested in something that is unquantifiable… You have done well, but please you should do more for the film industry.”
The Dean of School of Media and Communication, Pan African University, Associate Professor Ngozi Okpara who commended the partnership between PAU and Multichoice, said, “We have empowered them to become employers of labour, not just participants in the industry. The MTF Academy is a springboard to a successful career in the entertainment industry.
The event held at TerraKulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.