MultiChoice has graduated its 2026 cohort of filmmakers from its MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa Academy, marking another step in its ongoing investment in film and television talent across the region.
The programme, delivered in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University, saw 20 students from across West Africa complete a nine-month training cycle focused on directing, producing, scriptwriting, cinematography, and editing.
The graduation comes as the region’s film and television sector continues to expand, driven by demand for local stories, increased content investment, and the growth of digital platforms.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media & Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, encouraged graduates to approach their careers with intention.
“This is the end of a phase, but only the beginning of your journey. You must commit to continuous learning, collaboration, and curiosity. The industry does not reward complacency; it rewards those who are intentional about growth,” he said.
Beyond training, this year’s cohort demonstrated early business ambition. Five graduates launched two companies during the programme: Muri Marun Stories, founded by Tolulope Akande, Opeyemi Obasa, and Dorathy Ufot; and CineX Mart Ltd, established by Abdulsalam Ibrahim Oladimeji and Audu Israel Yakubu.
Muri Marun Stories received the CEO’s Entrepreneurial Award, alongside a ₦2 million grant to support its growth, while CineX Mart earned recognition for its early traction in marketing and distribution. The company has already secured placement for the short film ‘The Phone Call’ on Minflix and led marketing efforts for the MTF-backed title ‘Trouble for Two’.
Individual achievements also stood out. Kwaku Edusei Acquah won the Audience Choice Award at the Lift-Off Global Network Film Festival for ‘The Imperfect Plan’ and later received the Creative Innovator Award from the University for the Creative Arts, presented by Seyi Agboola, with a £1,500 prize attached.
Other notable student projects came from Amirat Yakub and Emmanuella Nwachukwu, reflecting the range of voices emerging from the programme.
Kemi Omotosho, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, positioned the milestone as part of a broader pipeline for African storytelling.
“This graduation marks a defining moment not just for these students but also for the future of African storytelling. They are no longer learners but part of a distinguished creative community shaping narratives across the continent,” she said.
The broader impact of the initiative continues to be reflected in alumni outcomes. Projects from previous cohorts have gained international support and recognition, including the Class of 2021’s Filmmakers Mart, which recently secured backing from the World Bank Group for expansion across five countries.
Since launching in 2018, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has positioned itself as a key training pipeline for emerging filmmakers across Africa, with graduates increasingly contributing to film, television, and digital productions across the continent.
With the latest cohort now entering the industry, the programme continues to feed new talent into a sector that is rapidly evolving in both scale and global visibility.
