23-year-old Tanzanian freelance journalist Kefa Igilo has always been passionate about television or radio presenting, and plans to pursue his dream of becoming a seasoned film producer and TV news anchor as part of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy’s Class of 2019.
“I hope this academy will [help me] create a better version of myself by learning from professional filmmakers and fellow teammates. It will change my discipline and behaviour in a positive way,” says Igilo.
If there’s anything that 23-year-old freelance videographer and editor Joshua Wango could add to Africa’s creative film and TV industry, it would be his creativity and the ability to tell bona fide African stories.
Born in Nairobi, Wango’s favourite films include 1992 Kenyan film Saikati, Senegalese classic Touki Bouki and American war film Brave Heart. His favourite film actors include Daniel Kaluuya, Daniel Day Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio and actress Lupita Nyong’o.
Isiko Abubaker is a 25-year-old Ugandan filmmaker with a passion for storytelling.
What makes a good film? For 25-year-old Kenyan film director Hanigun Kwenya, it’s a good film script. And according to him, Africa’s creative film and TV industry is on a steady upward trajectory because of it.
If given the change to create her own TV show, 24-year-old Kenyan writer Fridah Naliaka Simiyu would focus on creating a Drama-themed show spotlighting cultural and social issues, with the intention of creating film and TV that is realistic and relatable to African audiences.
“I would love to entertain my audience with what is familiar to them,” says Simiyu, who hopes that being a part of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy’s Class of 2019 will spark her creativity and expose me to different styles of visual storytelling.