MultiChoice Nigeria introduces a new Pan-African social investment initiative known as MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF)

MultiChoice Nigeria, a leading video entertainment services provider, has announced a new Pan-African social investment initiative known asMultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) - aimed at igniting and growing Africa’s creative industries into vibrant, economic centres.

The Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe says “As a Nigerian business, MultiChoice, together with our valued partners and stakeholders across the continent, have collaborated to make a positive socio-economic impact in the communities in which we live and work through the MultiChoice Talent Factory initiative.”

For over two decades, MultiChoice has been committed to investing in the development of original African programming and showcasing it on the DStv and GOtv platforms across 49 sub-Saharan African countries. The launch ofMTF forms part of the company’s new strategy of furthering this investment through *creating shared value by using its core business resources, people, skills and networks to affect a positive change in society that yields benefits for the business and society.

The MTF initiative will deliver three touchpoints that launch throughout the year:

• The MTF academies
• Masterclasses
• The MTF Portal.

The first to launch is the MTF Academy, a 12-month educational programme aimed at furnishing 20 deserving, young, talented people who want to work and innovate in film and television production. The Academy students will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling as well as produce television and film content that will be aired on our local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platform including Africa Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms

The programme will take place at the West-African regional MTF Academy based in Lagos where Mr. Femi Odugbemi is the Academy Director.“Professional training is key to success in any occupation. We need interventions like the MTF so that emerging filmmakers are better equipped in the creative processes that has scholarship and technology at its foundation,”says Odugbemi. He adds: “We must consciously build capacity so that our next-generation filmmakers and producers can also create wealth and create employment by being entrepreneurs as well."

Upon graduation from the Academy, the students will leave the Academy with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to the film and television industry.