MultiChoice has started to announce the students from across Africa that will receive year long internships as part of its new MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) programme to help them gain experience and knowledge in Africa's TV and film industry.
MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory follows M-Net in South Africa's 4-year old Magic in Motion Academy that was established in 2014 to provide a year long intensive internship to new graduates in the film and TV sector.
The students from across sub-Sahara Africa, but excluding South Africa, will get training at three MultiChoice Talent Factory academies hosted in Nairobi, Kenya (for East Africa); Lagos, Nigeria (for West Africa) and Lusaka, Zambia (for Southern Africa) - with 20 students each.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory received over 3 100 entries from 13 African countries.
Students will create local content that will be broadcast on the various M-Net channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv satellite pay-TV platforms throughout Africa, including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport.
Each of the three academies will be overseen by an Academy Director who are experts in film and TV: Njoko Muhoho in Nairobi, Femi Odugbemi in Lagos and Berry Lwando in Lusaka.
"From the thousands of applications received, it's evident that there's a strong desire to learn from and work with other African creatives," said film director and producer Femi Odugbemi.
Four filmmakers from Ghana will attend the first year at the West African hub that the MultiChoice Talent Factory will run. They are Edmund Kobby Asamoah, Henry Konadu Denkyira, Irene Dumevi Yaamoakoa and Patience Esiawonam Adisenu.
Nigerian filmmakers who will attend the programme include Idongesit Amba, Allen Onyige, Gilbert Bassey, Precious Iroagalachi, Nanret Paul Kumbet, Akpera Mnena, Umm’salma Saliu, Ugwu Uchenna Eileen, Sonia Nwosu, Moses Akerele, Metong Minwon, Bolaji Adelakun, Joseph Adeniyi, Kemi Tamara Adeyemi, Tochukwu Nwaiwu, and Blessing Bulus.
Three filmmakers from Namibia will attend the programme in Zambia. They are Esther Beukes, Ashivudhi Nghidipohamba and Sally Jason.
Two Zimbabwean filmmakers will attend the programme in Zambia. They are Nobert Mapfoche of Bulawayo and Rutendo Mahofa from Harare.
Two Botswana filmmakers will attend the programme in Zambia. They are Serena Serene Mmifinyana and Nikita Mokgware.
In East Africa 11 Kenyans grabbed spots for the programme that will start on 1 October. The 11 from Kenya are Adala Makhulo, Michelle Angawa, Tecla Joan, Shilla Gathoni, Mary Wanjiku, Samuel Makau, Hillary Lanogwa, Karanja Ngendo, Antony Njoroge, Millan Lwanga and Hillary Sabuni.
For filmmakers from Tanzania will attend the programme in Nairobi, Kenya: Sarah Kimario, Wilson Nkya, Jamal Kishuli and Jane Moshi.
Four filmmakers from Uganda will also attend the programme in Nairobi: Cissy Nalumansi, Hilda Awori, Aaron Tamale and Casey Lugada.
Fisehatsion Nibret from Ethiopia has also been selected to attend the MultiChoice Talent Factory in Nairobi.