MultiChoice Talent Factory Launches Masterclasses for Nigerian Filmmakers

The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is celebrating eight years of investment in Nigeria's creative industry by launching an extensive series of 13 regional masterclasses for film and television practitioners across the country.

These masterclasses are designed to provide practical knowledge on current industry trends and opportunities. MTF is collaborating with various film festivals, guilds, and other industry organizations to deliver these sessions. The initiative aims to enhance the skills and professional development of Nigerian filmmakers and content creators.

The first masterclass, the International Sales and Distribution Executive Masterclass, partnered with the Nigerian International Film Summit. Titled ‘From Script to Market: The Future of Cinema in Africa,’ it featured industry professionals discussing the journey of films from production to global audiences and markets. Key discussions revolved around international sales, distribution strategies, and the commercial aspects of taking African films to wider audiences.

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It is one thing to make a movie and another thing for that movie to travel for the world to see

Akaoma Onyeonoru, Academy Director of MTF, stressed the importance of understanding the business of filmmaking, stating, "It is one thing to make a movie and another thing for that movie to travel for the world to see." She highlighted that effective distribution is crucial for African stories to reach beyond immediate markets and for the continent to control its own narratives.

Another session, the Africa Microdrama Summit, focused on ‘The Future of Africa Storytelling: Powering Africa’s Mobile-First Entertainment Economy.’ This masterclass explored the growth of short-form scripted content and the evolving ways audiences consume media. Panelists discussed how shorter attention spans are influencing content creation, favoring formats that quickly engage viewers. "People are becoming increasingly impatient, and their attention spans are shorter, so content that is bingeable tends to do well," noted Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria. The session emphasized the opportunities microdrama offers African storytellers in this evolving digital landscape.

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People are becoming increasingly impatient, and their attention spans are shorter, so content that is bingeable tends to do well. Nigerians want to know what is happening from the moment they start watching, so t