“Lights, Camera, Empowerment: Celebrating Women in Film for International Women’s Month”

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day this month, the film and television industry is revealing itself as a powerful arena of gender transformation, and a highly affected vehicle for empowering women.

This is especially the case in Africa, where women occupy several leadership roles in the industry.

These roles are pivotal, as they set the tone for the sector at large, influencing the content being created, as well as the attitudes of the young audiences exposed to the material being created by the continent’s next generation of young filmmakers.

This industry’s transformed leadership is well-positioned to accelerate action even further and to continue building a creative industry where women feel free to express themselves and their views of the continent and its culture.

In the vanguard of this trend is the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) a pan-African network of training institutions training the next generation of African filmmakers. With training academies in Lusaka, Zambia, as well as Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya, the MTF provides fully paid, year-long courses in the fundamentals of film and TV production, with women well represented in every cohort.

Not only do women make up a high proportion of each year’s class, but they also win accolades in prominent film festivals as well as seeing their works premiering on major content platforms. Most recently, Everything Light Touches – co-directed by woman MTF West Africa Academy graduate Elma Baisie – premiered on the Africa Magic Showcase channel. In East Africa, woman director Lynn Gitau – an MTV East Africa Academy graduate – partnered to create Somewhere in Kole, which premiered on the Maisha Magic Plus channel.In every one of the MTF Africa territories, academy directors actively work to empower young woman filmmakers.“We promote women filmmakers in numbers and in terms of creative support,” says MTF Southern Africa Academy director Chris Puta. “Women students consistently make up around 50% of our cohort intake. But I believe what is most important is that they are given license to express themselves as writers, directors and producers. This is how women’s voices enter the mainstream.”“We believe in empowering women in the film industry through training, mentorship, and opportunities,” says MTF West Africa Academy Director Atinuke Babatunde. “We give them all the skills they require to make a statement in the industry. And that is exactly what they are doing.”Proof of this is the recognition MTF women alumni are earning on the film festival circuit. MTF West Africa graduate and producer-director Adeola Andrea Peregrino won first prize at the LEAP Africa USAID Film contest, and second prize at the IOM Film Contest for her film Poached, as well as being selected for the Africa International Film Festival, and as a finalist at the Edo State Festival.“MTF is committed to seeing women pursue careers in film and TV,” says MTF Academy East Director Victoria Goro. “Besides upskilling young women filmmakers, we believe a highly effective way to encourage girls and young women to get into film is to inspire them by seeing great work by young women.”Shining examples of this inspirational work are the achievements of East Africa MTF graduate Doreen Kilimbe’s film Midnight Bride, which won Best East African Film at the Uganda Film Festival, the Audience Award at Zambia’s Sotambe Film Festival, Best International Award at the Kalasha Film and TV Awards, and Best Actress at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.Also making an impact was MTF Southern Africa Academy alumnus Tekla Nakale, won the best scriptwriting award for the film Ataman at the Multichoice Namibia Film Festival.African women filmmakers are also taking charge of their own destiny in the industry by becoming involved in industry forums and even rising to leadership roles. In Namibia, MTF graduate Esther Beukes was recently appointed as Chairperson of the Board for the Namibia Film Commission.In Botswana, former MTF student Serena Mmifinyane took time off from her work as a creative director at TV and film company N&M Productions to establish the Women in Film Guild Botswana, which is affiliated with Women in Film & TV International (WIFTI). In 2022, she was voted onto the WIFTI Board of Directors, and in 2023 became secretary of the global organisation.“I am proud of what I have been able to achieve in the film sector,” said Mmfinyane. “But the hundreds of other young women who have come through MTF Academies have all made great strides in our industry. Their achievements exemplify the talent and drive of Africa’s women filmmakers, and how training can be a catalyst to accelerate gender empowerment across our continent.”

L-R: Nigeria’s first-ever SpIN champion, Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami and Acting U.S. Consul General, JoEllen Gorg during the prize presentation.

History was made on Friday, March 14, 2025, as Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami, an 11-year-old from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, clinched the title of Nigeria’s first-ever Spellingbee in Nigeria (SpIN) National Champion. The grand finale, held at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Lagos, saw 64 exceptional finalists from Abuja, Lagos, Osun and Taraba States compete in a thrilling display of linguistic mastery and academic excellence. The event showcased the incredible talent and determination of Nigeria’s brightest young minds, as they battled through intense rounds of spelling challenges. The atmosphere was electric, with attendees including members of the diplomatic corps, C-Suite executives, parents and educational leaders, all witnessing the birth of a new academic tradition in Nigeria. The competition, which began in September with hundreds of participants across Nigeria, culminated in a fiercely contested finale. After hours of grueling rounds, Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza impressed the audience and judges by correctly spelling the winning word, “Melange” to claim the championship title. As the winner, she will receive an all-expense-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States, a historic centennial celebration of academic excellence. Delivering opening remarks at the inaugural spelling competition, Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg highlighted the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the United States’ first national spelling bee.       “On behalf of the Unites States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, it’s an honor to host the inaugural Spellingbee In Nigeria finals as we mark the 100th anniversary of the United States’ first national spelling bee.   Since 1925, the Scripps Spelling Bee has showcased American academic excellence, while promoting literacy and a love of the English language among youth. We are very excited this year will also mark Nigeria’s first entrance into the competition, alongside students from all 50 United States and international students from Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, and beyond.” Speaking at the event, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Convener of Spellingbee in Nigeria, expressed her pride in the participants and the transformative impact of the competition. “This is more than just a spelling competition it’s a platform that builds confidence, public speaking skills and critical thinking in our young learners. Today, we have not only unearthed champion but also inspired a generation of Nigerian students to aim for global excellence. We are grateful to our partners, parents as well as schools for making this dream a reality.” The event also featured a special virtual appearance by Harini Logan, the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. She shared her journey of resilience, offering heartfelt encouragement to the finalists and emphasizing the power of preparation, confidence, and perseverance. Though unable to attend in person, her words resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impact on the spellers and making the day even more memorable. Spellingbee in Nigeria (SpIN) is a prestigious competition affiliated with the globally renowned Scripps National Spelling Bee, USA. It teaches students the rudiments of spelling, vocabulary development and critical thinking among Nigerian students, equipping them with the skills to compete on a global stage. The success of the SpIN National Finals was made possible through the support of key partners: Indomie Noodles (Title Sponsor), Checkers Custard (Co-Sponsor), Lucid Education Initiative (Local Organizing Partner), the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, the American Business Council of Nigeria, the Rotary Club of VI East, Razzl, First Bank of Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company and AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency (PR Partner). As Nigeria celebrates its first-ever Spellingbee in Nigeria, the future of academic excellence and global competitiveness looks brighter than ever.

Ayobami Dada Elected Chairman of ACYA Agege Diocese ChapterIn a momentous event that marks a new chapter for the African Church Youth Association (ACYA) Agege Diocese, Bro. Ayobami Dada has been elected as the new Chairman of the ACYA Agege Diocese chapter. This election, which took place on the 15th of March 2025 at The African Church, St. Peter’s Blessed Parish, Oke Koto, brings a renewed sense of hope and vision for the youth arm of the church.The African Church Youth Association (ACYA) is a prominent youth organization within The African Church, Nigeria and its diaspora, with a mission to engage and empower young people, ensuring their active participation in both church affairs and societal development. As part of its core objectives, ACYA works towards evangelism, youth empowerment, educational support through its trust fund, leadership development, and capacity building.Bro. Ayobami Dada’s election as Chairman represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to position the youth for a brighter future, both within the Agege Diocese and at the national level. Under his leadership, the ACYA Agege Diocese chapter is set to further enhance its impact, focus on restructuring, and drive initiatives that will foster the growth and development of the youth in the community.In his acceptance speech, Bro. Dada expressed deep gratitude for the confidence placed in him and pledged to lead with integrity, dedication, and a commitment to serving the youth of the church. He emphasized the importance of unity among the youth in pursuing shared goals, including spiritual growth, community service, and youth empowerment. He also acknowledged the efforts of his fellow contestant, Prince Adebola Adepegba, and looks forward to working collaboratively towards a shared vision for the youth community.Other elected members of the ACYA Agege Diocese executive include:Secretary: Mrs. Akinwale BukolaTreasurer: Mr. Owolabi GbadeboFinancial Secretary: Bro. Abayomi SanyaoluPublic Relations Officer: Bro. Yinka AdelowoJoint Auditors: Sis. Busola Williams & Mr. Dotun OpekiGeneral Committee Representative: Prince Adepegba AdebolaSocial Secretary: Mr. Ige PeterWelfare Officer: Sister Ige TemitayoMedical Adviser: Mr. Adebayo ToyosiStatistician: Bro. Obayomi SegunTrustees: Evang. Adara, Arc. Olujimi Oluwole, and Mr. Tunde AdewusiThe election process was conducted in a spirit of camaraderie, with all members expressing their commitment to working together for the betterment of the youth community in the Diocese.As the newly elected Chairman, Bro. Ayobami Dada is expected to lead the youth of the African Church towards greater involvement in evangelism, leadership, and community service, ensuring that the youth are not only prepared for the future but actively shaping it.