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Africa Magic invested trust in me as a rookie producer – Femi Odugbemi

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2023

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improved professionally since the coming of Africa Magic, you’ll understand the impact.Let’s talk about the discovery and nurturing of talents. What is the contribution of Africa Magic, especially as you were a director of MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF)?

Africa Magic has done a lot to provide platforms for performers, especially in front of the camera. Many of the stars, the actors that we all know today, were created on Africa Magic channels programming. I’ll start with Tinsel. Almost everyone who started in the first season of Tinsel is now a big star in Nigeria. They were unknown at the time, and daily exposure through the soap opera created a huge community of stars. Africa Magic has commissioned so many films that not a single person of significance in this industry has not directly received a paycheck from that platform.That’s why it was so important when the MultiChoice Talent Factory initiative was introduced. It allowed us to look at the next generation and provide formal training opportunities. The difference between the training they receive at the MultiChoice Talent Factory and what they would get in a typical school is that only MultiChoice has access to all these shows: drama, soap opera, telenovela, Big Brother, sports shows, music shows, OB vans, modern broadcasting equipment, and uplink technology.The students that come out of the MultiChoice Talent Factory are not only well-versed in theory but have been immersed in the process. We are creating a generation of filmmakers and storytellers who will take everything to another level, not just in broadcasting but also in filmmaking, performance, and addressing the questions technology will pose. We are about to enter an era of immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, which will become storytelling tools. Initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory are essential to answering the challenges of the future. I am thrilled that MultiChoice had the foresight to see 20 years into the future and prepare the professionals of 2030 and 2040. That’s what the MultiChoice Talent Factory is about.Back in the 2000s, I was one of those who benefited from something called ‘New Direction.’ It was the first film opportunity for a young filmmaker to create a film. That opportunity gave me my start in my career. This makes me commit myself to paying it forward. There is a way in which MultiChoice and the Africa Magic channels have been part of the success stories of so many generations of our filmmakers, and I am excited to have benefited from it. Talking about your personal experience, can you delve a bit into it? What was your experience with the first story you were commissioned for on Africa Magic?New Direction was a series that MultiChoice did across Africa, looking for new voices and new directors. Everyone pitched a story. I remember famous South African producer Richard Green and MultiChoice executives came to Nigeria to oversee the pitch. I entered a film called “Mama Put,” and I was excited to be one of those selected to create my film. We made this film on 35-millimeter celluloid, which was a very expensive platform at the time. Our budget was around $100,000, which was a significant amount in 2004. You have to understand what that meant to a young filmmaker like myself. It gave me the confidence to create more. Right after, I made “Abobaku,” also on 35-millimeter. Not long after that, a few of us pitched for the daily soap, and we won with “Tinsel.” To imagine that “Tinsel” is still running today is something I am deeply grateful for.

Since then, I’ve consistently had opportunities to create new work and produce new work. I feel like I have been given the opportunity to express every part of my storytelling ambitions, build a core production team and a production company that I think is world-class. I’ve been able to give opportunities to new faces, new talents, actors, creatives, and technical people. Making these stories has been an amazing opportunity and privilege for which I will always be grateful.

Talking about the future, you spoke earlier about how MTF is nurturing talents for the future, so what do you expect of storytelling in the next few years?

I think what is clear is that Africa Magic already knows that the future is about that nexus where creativity meets technology. I think what is important is that culture of constantly innovating, that culture of constantly raising the bar in terms of technical quality in terms of storytelling, in terms of access and reach to audiences, that culture of bringing audience measurements to the table and making storytellers and creatives accountable for the stories that are telling, that culture of impacting with stories that also matter to the psychology, politics and obviously the narrative conversations going on across Africa. I think that culture is going to be the difference.

The future is just so exciting in its possibilities and the only thing that guarantees success is that the values that a platform like Africa Magic holds dear are sustained. Those are values of one: understanding the importance of the African identity, heritage and the importance of telling our stories in our language in our own ways. The rest is about how we make sure it’s done to global standards and how we make sure we continue to widen the audience.

You headed the jury for the 9th AMVCA. Can you talk about the impact of the AMVCA on the industry?

The AMVCA is often referred to as the Oscars of African storytelling. It has brought glamour, sophistication, and recognition to the African storyteller and the African story. It has rewarded excellence in storytelling and performance. The AMVCA has brought dignity to our industry and celebrated Africa. It has become a gathering point, a networking opportunity, and a recognition portal across the continent. The AMVCA incentivizes people to reach the next level in their careers. If you win an Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, your career is boosted, and your name recognition, income, and confidence are enhanced.

On a final note, what is that evergreen moment(s) on Africa Magic?

I’ve been blessed to have many moments on Africa Magic, but I think when the very first episode of “Tinsel” was aired, I remembered weeping with joy. It was not something I thought was possible because it was so hard. The learning process to make that happen was so hard. Bringing the team together was so hard, the lack of facilities was so hard. Watching that first episode really touched me because it meant a lot, not just for me but for co-producers and actors who believed in us and more than anything else, for MultiChoice and Africa Magic, who, knowing that we did not have the experience to do this, invested trust.

So yes, that will always be an iconic night for me, and it gave me a lot to be thankful for. I’ve had that same moment several times again, obviously, like the 100th-episode watch party of “Battleground.” I lost my voice because I was just so happy about the reception that the series had.

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MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa Celebrates the Next Generation of Storytellers at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony.

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1 day ago

December 8, 2024

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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, the pioneering initiative established to nurture emerging African filmmakers and storytellers celebrated the achievements of its 2024 cohort at its graduation ceremony on December 6 in Lagos. This is the fifth graduation ceremony by the MTF. The occasion signposts another successful year of empowering young filmmakers in Africa. Each year, the MTF programme trains 60 young filmmakers across its various academies through a comprehensive, fully funded cinematography course. The programme equips participants with the technical and creative skills necessary to craft compelling stories that highlight Africa’s cultural wealth to worldwide audiences.During her congratulatory message, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, Dr Busola Tejumola stated that the graduation ceremony is a time of celebrate creativity, dedication and the exceptional achievements of the grandaunts.“This ceremony is more than just an acknowledgment of academic journey; it is a physical mark of the graduation into an elite class of the MTF Alumni Network, a family whose contributions continue to shape the narrative of African storytelling globally.”Dr Tejumola also stated that in just one year, the students have made great strides including the selection of Non Cras by Elma Baisie at the Life-Off Global Network and Get Out of Your head by Oluwayanmife Arogundade and Winner Achimugu at the Afropolis Lagos 2024.Atinuke Babatunde, Academy Director of MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, noted that the sub-region is crucial to the continent’s film and television industry.”West Africa is a hub of cultural richness and vibrant storytelling, which has been the foundation of its thriving film and TV industry. Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, we have consistently supported the development of exceptional talents, who are capable of elevating this heritage to global standards. The 2024 cohort has been phenomenal, and we are excited to celebrate their achievements as they graduate,” Babatunde said.During the event, the three best graduating students won one-year scholarships to international film schools. Winner Achimugu and Anjoluwa Aluko won scholarships to the New York Film Academy and Zee World, India respectively while Adejo Edebo Emmanuel won a scholarship to learn at MNET Production in South AfricaThis year, MTF West Africa collaborated with the Earthshot Prize initiative, producing projects focused on environmental sustainability. Among these are “Revive the Ocean,” which explores innovative solutions for ocean preservation; “Racing Against Time,” a mini documentary addressing the dangers of plastic waste; and “2070,” a thought-provoking short film envisioning future environmental challenges. Students of the Academy fully conceptualised, shot, and produced these projects, demonstrating their ability to create compelling stories. Additionally, Rekiya, a short film by the class of 2023 has been selected at AFRIFF 2024 and Poached, directed Adeola Andrea Peregrino, earned accolades including 1st Prize in the LEAP Africa USAID Film Contest, 2nd Prize at the IOM Film Contest and was an official selection at AFRIFF 2024 and at Edo State Festival. Love from Bayelsa, written by alumnus Gabrie Odigiri won Best Short Film of the Year at the Imo International Film Festival. The graduation of the 2024 cohort represents yet another milestone in MTF’s ongoing commitment to upskilling exceptional storytellers, who continue to redefine the African narrative on a global stage.

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Tourism Drive: Governor AbdulRazaq intensifies efforts to rebuild Patigi Regatta Motel

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4 days ago

December 6, 2024

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•eyes global recognition for Patigi Regatta Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is intensifying efforts to rebuild the long-abandoned Patigi Regatta Motel located in Patigi local government area of the state.The reconstruction of the Patigi Regatta Motel was started few months ago and will be delivered with classic rooms, VIP suites, a conference hall, a restaurant, courtyards, shopping areas, expansive parking space and more.Located along Kpada Road (Federal Road) and 1500m from Kusogi Park in Patigi town, the completion of the iconic Motel will help solve the problem of accommodation during the historical Patigi Regatta Festival in the town.Founded in 1949, the Patigi Regatta Festival is a boating event featuring boating races, fishing and swimming. The festival is attended by tourism enthusiasts within and outside the State and country. However, the issue of accommodation during the festivity calls for concern. With the ongoing efforts to rebuild the Motel, Governor Abdulrazaq aims to provide quality accommodation for visitors, enhance the overall tourist experience, create jobs and boost the State’s internally generated revenue.Additionally, the Governor aims to restore a sense of pride and heritage in the State and put the Patigi Regatta Festival on the global map just like other cultural and traditional festivals in the state.

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Development Bank of Nigeria Plc Wins Financial Inclusion Leadership Award

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4 days ago

December 5, 2024

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The Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has emerged winner of the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award. This is in recognition of the Bank’s unwavering commitment to fostering access to financing for the Nigerian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The award was bestowed on DBN at the “Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards” during the recently-concluded International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) 2024, organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders. Commenting on the prestigious award, DBN’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said winning the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award was a testament to the Bank’s unrelenting efforts in expanding access to financial services for MSMEs in Nigeria. “We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our bank’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians. This award recognises our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs,” he stated. Dr Okpanachi added: “Additionally, this award is a validation of our strategic focus on driving financial inclusion for small businesses, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative that drives that. We will continue to innovate and expand our financial inclusion programmes, ensuring that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to services.”The Chief Operating Officer of the Bank, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, while receiving the award on behalf of DBN, expressed gratitude to the organisers for the recognition, describing it as a significant milestone. “The Financial Inclusion Leadership Award is a significant milestone for our Bank, demonstrating our dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria. This award acknowledges our Bank’s innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he said. The COO stated further, “This award will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact. We are committed to ensuring that more small businesses and startup enterprises in Nigeria have access to financial services, this award will further inspire us to accelerate our efforts in this regard.” He emphasized. The Financial Inclusion Leadership Award is a key highlight of the International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) and celebrates exceptional contributions to actions aimed at achieving the goals outlined in Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy 3.0.The awards recognize organizations and individuals across various sectors who are driving meaningful dialogue, and broadening access to financial services for low-income excluded priority segments, including the MSMES sector, with inadequate funding being one of the challenges that inhibit the growth of small businesses in the country.