Nigeria | Multichoice Talent Factory

Funmilayo Okonta is a freelance creative based in Lagos, and passionate about storytelling and filmmaking. With a BA degree in English and Literary Studies, 23-year-old Funmilayo dreams of becoming a filmmaker.

One of the steps to actualising her dreams, is being accepted into MTF. At the West Africa academy in Lagos, Funmilayo says she aims to fine tune her creative skills around areas relating to storytelling, writing and editing. “I’m so excited at who and what I’ll become at the end of the 12-month programme.”

Esther Oluwafunmilayo Akapo is a 24-year-old Nigerian filmmaker who is working towards becoming an international film producer and director.

Her favourite African film and TV stars are Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde for their abilities to spectacularly embody their characters. These actresses also inspire Akapo.

Eric Kafui Okyerefo is a 24-year-old Ghanaian freelance writer whose passion for film and TV is coupled with his dream career of becoming a media entrepreneur.

“My goal is to run one of the leading and most innovative media businesses in the world that tells the right stories, produce the best movies and one that engages and gives young people across the globe a voice,” says Okyerefo.

Deborah Omikunle is a multitalented creative born living in Lagos, and working as an entrepreneur in the entertainment and fashion industry. With a B.Sc in Computer Science from Redeemer’s University in the UK, 26-year-old Deborah is excited to join MTF to set her on her way to becoming “the producer and presenter of the highest rated talk show in history”, which Deborah says is her dream.

Daphne Mawuse Atsutse is a 25-year-old Ghanaian producer and director on the pursuit towards becoming a scriptwriter and director.

“Africans have beautiful untold stories which even when told are hardly told by the African for the African or from the African perspective. There is a revolution and it is going to change the African narrative as the world knows it,” says Atsutse, who holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana.

If 24-year-old Ghanaian film director, documentary photographer and research assistant Christine Boateng was given the chance to create a TV show, hers would focus on what it means to be African.

“I have always loved the idea of exploring and documenting African culture because in reality it is very beautiful, unique and filled with stories that need to be told by us Africans,” says Boateng, who holds qualifications from the Africa Digital Media Institute in Nairobi, Kenya and a certificate in Film and TV production from the University of Ghana.

Chioma Paul- is an emerging filmmaker from Lagos with aspirations of soaring within Africa’s film industry. With a BA in Mass Communication, the 26-year-old has already begun to make a major impact on video entertainment – with projects such as the recently released short film Redress.

“My dream is to be an exceptional writer, filmmaker, and ultimately a showrunner creating authentic stories,” says Chinyere Ohuonu, who is well on her way to actualising her vision.

Based in Lagos, Chinyere – who has a B.Sc. in Public Health from Hancock University, Nigeria – is a freelance writer and filmmaker, and is gearing up to make work that leaves an indelible mark on society. “I would like to create more original African stories to the already existing ones. There are many African stories that are yet untold and need to be told for the world to see.”

Twenty-three-year-old Amarachi Nwaozuzu is a screenwriter on the rise. Based in Lagos, Amarachi has a BA degree in History and International Studies, as well as a Diploma in French, and is looking for growing her skills in screenwriting while at MTF, but also widening her understanding of film and TV.

“My dream is to make movies and writes scripts that will change the narrative”. Excited to join the second cohort of students at the MTF West Africa academy, Amarachi believes the programme will give her a platform and “an opportunity to groom my art and fulfil my dream”.

If given the chance to create a TV show, 30-year-old Nigerian animation director and design manager Abisola Oladimeji Aboaba’s would focus on a pre-colonial Africa, and exploring the continent’s rich culture and traditions at the time.

With qualifications from both the National Film and Television School from the United Kingdom and from the University Of Lagos, it’s this very passion to retell the continent’s past and present that drive’s Aboaba’s desire to become a film producer and director, and tell the continent’s stories through animation.

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