Ever watched a film and thought, “I could make something like that”? You probably can. The truth is, many successful filmmakers started with little more than an idea, a camera, and determination. Setting up your own film production company is one way to take control of your creativity, share your stories, and turn passion into business. Here’s how to make it happen.Learn the CraftBefore you can run a film company, you have to understand the language of film itself. Learn the basics: storytelling, directing, cinematography, lighting, sound, and editing, just to name a few.There are plenty of ways to build your skills; you can take online courses, attend workshops, or apply to practical film training programmes like the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, which develops young filmmakers across Africa. You can also gain experience by volunteering on film sets or collaborating with other creatives on short projects. Every shoot teaches you something new.Build Your NetworkIn the film business, your network is your lifeline. Every project, screening, or creative meet-up is a chance to connect. Surround yourself with other creatives, cinematographers, editors, scriptwriters, actors, and producers. West Africa’s creative scene is buzzing with activity. Attend events like the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF), movie premieres and showcases. These events and platforms are great places to meet potential collaborators, funders, and mentors. You can also join local filmmakers’ WhatsApp or Telegram groups, online workshops, and community screenings to stay plugged in.Register Your CompanyOnce you’re ready to produce content professionally, formalise your hustle by registering your company. This helps you access funding, sign distribution deals, and build credibility with clients and collaborators.Having a registered business name means you can confidently pitch for opportunities, enter into contracts, and represent your brand as a serious creative business and protect your creative rights.Tell Great StoriesThe heart of every production company is the story it tells. Audiences are drawn to stories that feel authentic, those that reflect real lives, local experiences, and universal emotions.Don’t be afraid to explore bold ideas. Let your background, culture, and community shape your creative voice. The best films aren’t necessarily the biggest ones; they’re the ones that connect deeply with people. Get FundingEvery story needs a push to come alive. Once your script and treatment are ready, start looking for funding opportunities.Pitch your ideas to investors, apply for creative grants, or submit them to local and international networks that support African content creators. Streaming and TV platforms such as Showmax and Africa Magic often have submission portals that allow filmmakers to pitch new projects directly.A well-written proposal and a clear vision can get the right people interested in your story.Share Your WorkDon’t wait for the perfect moment; put your work out there. Submit your films to festivals, online showcases, and competitions to build visibility and credibility. Platforms like Showmax, Africa Magic, and YouTube are great places to showcase your projects and reach new audiences.Also, make the most of your social media platforms. Share behind-the-scenes clips, teaser trailers, and creative insights on Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and Facebook. The more you engage your online community, the more your work gets noticed by producers, fans, and potential investors.Even if your film isn’t screening, show up anyway. These spaces open doors to new collaborators, funders, and distribution opportunities. Every opportunity to share your work, online or offline, brings you closer to the next big break.Protect Your WorkYour ideas are your currency; protect them. Copyright automatically covers your original work, but it’s wise to take extra steps by registering or documenting your creations with timestamps and watermarks.In Nigeria, you can formally register your work through the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), which issues certificates of registration and helps protect your creative rights. You can also explore Partners Against Piracy (PAP), a coalition that works with filmmakers and broadcasters to combat content theft and promote respect for intellectual property.Avoid sharing full scripts or footage publicly until you’ve protected them, and always work with trusted partners. Learning how to manage your intellectual property is the smartest way to safeguard your creativity and earnings, because in this industry, your ideas are everything.Starting your own film production company is doable. You just need to be intentional about creating content that is rich in storytelling and enriches the lives of your audience. Following the steps listed, you can earn a decent living from the content you create. If you can dream it, then you can live it.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global film industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a leading pan-African film and TV production academy, recognises the transformative potential of AI in empowering the next generation of African storytellers. Besides being a sustainable, impactful talent pipeline, MTF is a flagship MultiChoice CSI initiative, with the goal of ensuring that Africa’s next generation are not just consumers, but active shapers of the technology evolution. As storytellers, they are also equipped to make use of technology, leverage AI to enhance African creativity and drive industry growth on the continent.The AI enabler In this understanding of the new technology, AI is not seen as an alternative to human creativity, or a threat, but an enabler; an amplifier. For African filmmakers, AI opens doors to enhance storytelling, streamline production processes, and bring authentic narratives to life in innovative ways. By embracing AI, filmmakers can elevate their craft, making it more efficient and accessible while preserving the rich humanity that defines African storytelling traditions.AI is already established as an invaluable tool in the production of mainstream commercial films. Several cult and commercial films have used AI as an integral part of their production process. Among these was The Irishman from 2019, which used an AI technology called FaceSwap to reference older movies of the lead actors, and then create youthful “de-aged” versions of those actors.A similar type of “deepfake” technology is also sometimes used in high-budget action movies to replace the faces of stunt artists with the faces of the lead actors in the final film. Such a technique was used in the Marvel movie Shang-Chi And The Legend of the Ten Rings, where machine learning was used to “swap” the faces of stunt doubles during fight scenes. In The Brutalist, AI was used to improve the pronunciation of lead actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, who speak Hungarian in parts of the movie.Some filmmaking AI applications have drawn praise, while others have courted controversy. However, for Africa to occupy its rightful space as home to many of the world’s greatest stories, the continent’s storytelling talent must learn these AI methods – and a host of others.The tools at workMany of these AI tools are pre-production tools that enhance the efficiency of the process and even make it more affordable. During the process, AI technology can be used for applications like idea iteration, scene blocking, to generate mood boards, or to assist with initial script drafts.AI can also assist in generating a range of plot possibilities, help to pre-visualise scenes, streamline editing and create sophisticated visual effects.While AI offers immense potential, it also raises ethical questions, such as data privacy, representation, and the responsible use of technologies like deepfakes. MTF stresses the importance of addressing these concerns thoughtfully, encouraging filmmakers to use AI in ways that respect cultural values and maintain trust with audiences.Opportunities for African StorytellersFor African filmmakers, AI presents a unique opportunity to tell stories that resonate globally while staying rooted in local cultures. By leveraging AI, they can create visually stunning films, enhance production efficiency, and reach wider audiences through platforms like MultiChoice’s hyperlocal content ecosystem, which prioritises stories that reflect viewers’ lived experiences.MTF’s mission is to empower young filmmakers to seize these opportunities, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the technological future of the industry. By encouraging a deep understanding of AI’s capabilities, MTF encourages graduates to push creative boundaries while maintaining the authenticity of African narratives.MultiChoice, parent company to MTF, is already deploying AI to enrich its content offering and to improve user experiences. AI tools are applied to extract useful insights from the oceans of data generated by MultiChoice subscribers and used to customise and refine their customer journeys. In the final analysis, AI is critical to delivering a world-class training programme that will equip aspiring film and TV professionals to thrive in a dynamic media landscape. With AI as a partner, the next generation of filmmakers is ready to redefine the art and impact of African cinema.

It’s Week 7 in Big Brother’s house, and the game is tougher than ever. Out of the original 29 contestants, 13 housemates have already said their goodbyes, leaving the rest to battle it out for survival. Unlike past seasons, where you could spot the likely winner by Week 5, this season has been anything but predictable; every eviction shakes the house and resets the game.

In Biggie’s usual way, the HOH games set the tone for the week. Zita won the HOH Challenger game on Monday, snatching it from Koyin, who won the position on Sunday. Isabella, the lowest performer, earned the dreaded house snail tag. Then came the scramble for the red envelope, where Imisi struck gold by finding immunity for herself. Rooboy also got a lifeline when HOH Zita pulled a Save One card from the Tree of Trinkets and used it to keep him safe.

That leaves almost everyone else on the chopping block. Except for Head of House Zita, immunity holder Imisi, Rooboy, and Faith, who once again hold the Most Influential Housemate crown, every other housemate is up for possible eviction.

With the pressure mounting, one big question remains: who will Biggie’s house lose next? Vote for your fave and keep them in the game. Voting is open on the Africa Magic website (web and mobile) with 100 votes per platform, and you can also vote via the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps. Remember, voting closes Thursday at 10 pm WAT.

Catch all the drama on the Big Brother channel, GOtv channel 49, and DStv channel 198.