The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has launched a series of 13 regional masterclasses for film and television practitioners across Nigeria to mark eight years of investment in the country’s creative industry.
The masterclasses, held in partnership with film festivals, guilds and other industry organisations, are designed to give practitioners practical knowledge on current developments and opportunities in the industry.
The first session, the International Sales and Distribution Executive (ISDE) Masterclass, held on August 24 in partnership with the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), examined the business of taking films from production to audiences under the theme ‘From Script to Market: The Future of Cinema in Africa.’ It featured Kene Mkparu, President/CEO of KOMWORLD Cinemas and Studio KOM Film Production and Distribution; Funmi Onuma, cinema expert; and Ijeoma Onah, founder of NIFS, with discussions covering international sales, distribution and the commercial considerations in taking African films to wider markets.
MTF Academy Director Akaoma Onyeonoru said understanding the business side of filmmaking was as important as the creative process. ‘It is one thing to make a movie and another thing for that movie to travel for the world to see,’ she said, adding that effective distribution was critical to ensuring African films reach audiences beyond their immediate markets.
The second session, the Africa Microdrama Summit, held on Wednesday under the theme ‘The Future of Africa Storytelling: Powering Africa’s Mobile-First Entertainment Economy,’ focused on the growth of short-form scripted content and changing audience consumption habits. Panellists included Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria; Ifeoma Oma Areh, founder of the Digital Creator Africa Academy (DCAA) for Microdrama; Brenda Fashugba, co-founder of Women in the Arts; Samira Hamidi, country manager, Digital Virgo; and Elija Afi, co-founder of DCAA.
Babatunde said shorter attention spans were shaping how audiences engage with content. ‘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 the story has to pull you in quickly and keep you engaged,’ she said, adding that microdrama could find a place on established platforms such as Africa Magic, where viable productions could create additional programming opportunities.
The masterclass series will continue in Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Abuja and Kano states. Partners include the Wole Soyinka Cultural Centre, Abeokuta; Ibadan International Film Festival; Pan-Atlantic University International Students’ Film Festival; Twin City International Film Festival; Rivers International Film Festival; and Kano Indigenous Languages Film Festival.