Other prizes awarded include an internship in South Africa with a South African production company for Oluwatoyosi Fowode and an internship in India with an Indian production company to emmanuel nuvor.
At the graduation, MultiChoice’s CEO, John Ugbe also announced the N2 million CEO Award to the most enterprising students who collaborate to establish production companies.
The award went to Divergence, a production start-up company founded by members of the graduating cohort, samuel island, Ibrahim Maman and Oluwatoyosi Fowode.
In his congratulatory speech, Ugbe urged the graduates to tell the stories of Africa, using the knowledge and skills acquired at the academy.
“Your success was not given, rather it was well earned. You faced the challenges of virtual classes and returned to normal. You put in hours of work and practice to make the best use of this program.
“As visual creatives, always keep in mind the responsibility you have and the role you play. The world is ready for authentic African storytellers to shape the perception of this vibrant generation. Accept the challenge and express your gifts. I know you will tell great stories.” Ugbe said.
He further reiterated MultiChoice’s resolve to enable the development of Africa’s creative industry through the Talent Factory. “For us at MultiChoice, we are committed to empowering Africa’s creative industry through experiential filmmaking and novel content creation, which will turn Africa’s creative industries into economic powerhouses through creative young men and women like you”.
In her speech, the Director of the MTF West Africa Academy, Ms. Atinuke Babatunde recounted his memorable experiences with the graduates and described them as family.
He noted that while the academy would miss them, the film industry will gain nineteen young, creative and vibrant filmmakers.
Also speaking was the Interim Dean of the School of Media and Communications at Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ngozi OkparaHe described the MTF Academy as a springboard to a career in the entertainment industry that produces a tight-knit community of professionals with a desire to tell Africa’s stories to the world.
“MultiChoice Talent Factory empowers students to become great storytellers by equipping them with up-to-date information and technology. From a creative business perspective, we empower them to become employers of labor,she added.
While delivering his message of goodwill, the representative of the United States consulate, joe kruzich congratulated the graduates for their hard work and commitment.
“Your hard work and dedication will pay off. Although not everyone will go to the New York Film Academy for the internship, they will find their place in the creative industry. It is currently booming and that is important”, he said.
Kruzich expressed the consulate’s commitment to fostering collaborations between the African creative industry and its Hollywood counterparts.
MTF awarded all graduates with a certificate from the Pan-Atlantic University and the New York Film Academy.
