Since the introduction of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy five years ago, 13 Malawian filmmakers have graduated from the academy.
They include Brian Magombo, Beatus Msamange, Sarah Mngwaluko, Memory Natasha Phiri, Faith Msole, Jonathan Kapumba, Asante Mbaimbai, Mphatso Makamo, Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba, Chisomo Livason and Chisomo Kawaga.
During the period, some of the Malawian representatives have managed to score individual accolades at the academy. Magombo emerged the best student of the 2023 cohort and qualified for a scholarship at the New York Film Academy.
This year, Msamange was the second best student and he attained a two-week scholarship at Bollywood’s popular television channel Zee World.
But collectively, where are the academy graduates progressing professionally and what has been the impact of the MTF Academy on the local film industry? Chill tried to make follow ups to track how some of the academy products, especially how they are faring.
Magombo co-founded a production company Tribe Vision Productions with fellow alumni Mngwaluko where he is working as a director and cinematographer.
In an interview this week, He said the MTF experience has not only transformed his career and sharpened his technical skills in film and TV production, but also helped to expand his professional network across Africa and the world.
“I have gained confidence as a storyteller and I have had the privilege of working on impactful projects. In the previous year, I was privileged to work as a cinematographer for renowned filmmaker Charles Shemu Joyah’s recent film project Strike a Blow and Die,” he said.
Magombo said the mentorship that he provides to up-and-coming filmmakers and the employment opportunities his company is creating are some of the gains.
“I hope to inspire a new generation of filmmakers who can contribute to the growth of our local industry. I am deeply grateful to MTF for the foundation it provided,” he said
Mngwaluko, who also works as a producer for Zodiak Broadcasting Station, said MTF was a game-changer for her as it gave her more knowledge about filmmaking and got her a chance to network with other filmmakers across Africa.
She was also part of the Strike a Blow And Die project where she worked as a production sound mixer. Besides that, she has also collaborated with other media production companies in documentary projects and television series.
“Through the collaborations, I am able to share with my fellow Malawian filmmakers what I gained from MTF. ,” she said.
After undergoing the programme, Livason founded Illusion Media and Communication where he works as a creative director. He said the training programme has been transformative to him.
“The hands-on training and networking opportunities provided boosted my confidence and proficiency in storytelling, motion graphics and live streaming. Fresh graduate Phiri said the training programme has expanded her technical skills and industry knowledge, thereby enhancing her ability to manage creative and logistical aspects of filmmaking.
MultiChoice Malawi corporate affairs manager Deborah Mulowe-Mzembe said the impact of the training programme on the local film industry is there for all to see going by the strides being recorded by the academy products.
She said: “So far, 13 Malawians have graduated from the programme and we will keep getting more enrolled. .”
Each year, 20 creatives from seven Southern African countries such as Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe pass through the academy corridor, which is domiciled in Lusaka, Zambia.
MTF Southern Africa Academy director Christopher Puta said they are proud of the graduates they are producing and their work in helping build the film and television .
