Oprah Winfrey once described Genevieve Nnaji, the Nigerian actress and singer, as the Julia Roberts of Africa. 20-year-old Tecla Joan Nanyama – who is an actress, screenwriter and video editor in Kenya – agrees, “She has shown that there is no limit to acting, each of her movies takes on a different role. It is no surprise that she won the African Movie Academy Award for her amazing performance.” It’s role models like Genevieve along with opportunities such as MTF that have allowed Tecla to dream big.
Since completing a diploma in TV and video production, Kenyan Shilla Gathoni Gachango has been working as a videographer, under the mentorship of Isaac Masiga, a professional filmmaker and producer. She dreams of becoming a successful film director. When she does, the 23-year-old wants to create opportunities similar to MTF that will spearhead local film festivals and competitions and inspire young, up-and-coming filmmakers.
Samuel Masaku Makau has a deep fascination with Ancient African studies, “The best thing about Africa is that thousands of years ago our ancestors civilised the earth,” says the 24-year-old Kenyan videographer and editor. He wants to research and narrate forgotten African tales and the stories of elders to the rest of the world. One day he hopes to travel to Egypt to quench his fascination with the hidden texts, symbols and knowledge found inside the ancient pyramids.
“If I could create a TV show it would be Africa’s Got Talent,” says 23-year-old Millan Khamsali Lwanga from Nairobi, Kenya. “Because I believe that Africans are very talented.”
The journalism graduate is pursuing a career as a filmmaker. His role model is Jeta Amata – a renowned Nigerian director, film producer and screenwriter.
“I look up to him for his creative works with the African story.
I was inspired by his film Black November, which showcased the environmental struggle to protect the Niger delta based on real events.
Though she may be one of the youngest MTF interns, Michelle Achieng Ang’awa is already working as a second camera assistant with the vision of becoming a director of photography and screenwriter in the future. “I look up to Lupita Nyong’o. She taught me that all dreams are valid and through her I have been able to discover my true self,” says the 18-year-old Kenyan. Michelle hopes that MTF will help her bring Africa’s film industry to the spotlight.