As Africa continues to change rapidly, the entertainment and Film industry is ever more relevant and it is in relation to this that MultiChoice has today launched the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF).

MultiChoice Talent Factory is an Africa-wide, multi-tiered educational and experiential-learning programme designed to provide the African creative industry including film makers with a platform to learn, develop talent, engage and connect with each other through shared passions.

Multichoice will also establish three regional film academies located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, with Kenya being the main Hub.

Speaking at the launch Eric Odipo, MD MultiChoice Kenya said, “We’re proud to introduce #MultiChoiceTalentFactory, our exciting new corporate social value initiative. It’s a shared value initiative that connects societal and economic touchpoints and holds benefits for a broad range of stakeholder groups. “

He also added that together with Multichoice channels: i.e Africamagictv , MaishaMagicTZ , Maisha Magic East, Zambezi Magic TV, MNet and Super Sport TV, Multichoice will ensure that the program delivers benefits and value for not only the participants but also our business partners, regulatory and government.

“Working in partnership with local creative organisations across the continent, we will use our people, facilities and network to provide a select group of young people with a tailored 12-month apprenticeship,” he added.

On his end, Kenya Film Commission Chairman, Chris Foot called on filmmakers to utilize the online resource base where they can access the necessary information on film industry.

He added that KFC will make sure that the trans-formative incentives KFC is working on will be working by end of 2018 adding that MTF was one of the great partnerships and that KFC was  happy to be part of. “We commend Multichoice for this great initiative. Great times to be in,” he said.

Working in partnership with local creative organisations across the continent, MultiChoice will use there people, facilities and network to provide a select group of young people with a tailored 12-month apprenticeship.

Each regional Academy will feature 20 students and will be led by a well-respected, local industry expert in partnership with recognised institutions to ensure credibility and professional qualification which will culminate in the students’ graduation.

The MTF Academy will partner with local channels, studios and content providers to directly impact the career development of the students. The training brand will be delivered through three touchpoints: The MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, The MultiChoice Talent Factory Portal and The MultiChoice Talent Factory Masterclasses

Through the MTF, MultiChoice Africa seeks to develop emerging TV and film talent whilst simultaneously promoting the growth of local content in key markets through a well-structured and impactful social investment programme.

MTF programme will also help film makers gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, film editing, audio production and storytelling. Sixty talented students from 13 African countries will get the chance to hone their film and television production skills alongside industry greats.

This year-long, funded, programme will be supported by MultiChoice Talent Factory academies hosted in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. Students will create quality local content that will be broadcast on our local M-Net channels on the MultiChoice platform.

MultiChoice Talent Factory graduates will also get to showcase their portfolio of work on the MTF Portal – a database for film professionals across the continent, where they can access job opportunities, keep up to date with industry news, and expand their network.

KFC vs KFCB at loggerheads

Meanwhile, the move by Multichoice comes at a time when the two bodies mandated with film industry that’s Kenya Film Commission and the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) are at logger heads.

This is after KFCB, issued a 14-day notice to film makers creating videos meant for public exhibition without a valid licence to comply or face the full force of law, a move KFC disagreed with saying that KFCB is “obsessed with film fees”.

KFC, in a strongly-worded statement, said the classification board’s move would curtail development of the nascent sector.
“We feel strongly that KFCB has become too obsessed with introducing fees for every work of art thereby curtailing every effort of industry players both existing and upcoming to eke a living from creative content,” said KFC in the statement released Wednesday.

KFC is legally mandated to promote the film industry, while KFCB is the sector regulator.

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