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Showbiz Reporter
The MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy for Southern Africa was officially launched in Lusaka, Zambia last week with a gala event that was attended by the two Zimbabwean students who will train there.

It also featured a performance by Zimbabwean beatboxer Probeatz.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe publicity and public relations manager Liz Dziva, who also travelled to Lusaka for the event, said the academy was now operational.
She said the shortlisted 20 filmmakers had now begun their year-long course to be the region’s newest film and television production professionals.

The two students from Zimbabwe are Rutendo Mahofa of Harare and Nobert Mapfoche of Bulawayo who were identified by the team conducting interviews in Zimbabwe.

“The fact that MultiChoice can take a chance with the young people of the region calls for a special applause and I want to remind the private sector that the magic in the film industry in countries such as Nigeria results from the private sector and others taking a chance on supporting the film industry,” Dziva said.

“We are not going to (showcase our own) stories if we are going to wait for financial support from overseas. We can only tell our stories if the private sector in our countries in the region takes a chance on these young people and the film industry as a whole.”

Berry Lwando, Lusaka academy director, told the gathering that the 20 students would be provided with skills to make use of their talent, and would be connected with industry professionals.

“The MultiChoice Talent Factory is committed to empowering young filmmakers and enriching the industry and the academy is our key to doing this, helping to address gaps across the region,” Lwando said.

“We believe that, given an opportunity, an empowered new generation of filmmakers and TV professionals will rise to take their place at the forefront of local creative industries, producing the very best of local African content for our continent.”