Pan-African film and television training institution the MultiChoice Talent Factory 2026 (MTF) has opened applications for its intake.
All African graduates who aspire to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers can now apply for fully-funded courses at the industry-leading network of academies.
Having recently become part of CANAL+, MultiChoice has rededicated itself to bringing compelling programming to homes on our continent. A powerful way to do this is by empowering young people with filmmaking, production and storytelling skills.
Any young Africans who dream of telling Africa’s stories can apply, to join the MultiChoice journey to give Africa a stronger voice on the world stage.
The 2026 intake introduces a comprehensive curriculum designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
The fully accredited nine-month programme is delivered through a hybrid format, combining interactive online learning with intensive physical in-person training.
With academies strategically located in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia, MTF offers aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries practical training, industry exposure, and access to valuable professional networks, equipping them to succeed in a competitive entertainment landscape.
MTF has trained 296 filmmakers since its inception in 2018, with over 42 films already produced by graduates. During the programme, students gain insights into the business of filmmaking while learning their craft from the industry’s best minds.
Creating shared value and culture through local content
Skills development is a critical driver of economic growth. Across industries, training equips young people with the capabilities needed to contribute productively and sustainably.
In Africa’s creative sector, however, skills development plays an additional role: shaping cultural output, strengthening identity, and building long-term value through locally relevant content.
As demand for African film and television continues to grow, so does the need for professionally trained storytellers who can meet global production standards while remaining rooted in local realities.
This intersection of skills, culture, and commerce is increasingly defining the continent’s creative economy.
Building industry-ready talent at scale
One initiative addressing this gap is the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), an Africa-wide network of film and television academies headquartered in Nairobi, Lagos, and Lusaka. Founded by MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, MTF provides structured, industry-aligned training for emerging African filmmakers.
Drawing on over three decades of experience in African storytelling, the programme emphasizes practical, hands-on learning across directing, producing, scriptwriting, and post-production.
Beyond technical instruction, students are exposed to the commercial realities of the industry, preparing them for immediate entry into professional production environments.
The proximity of MTF to the wider MultiChoice content ecosystem has proven particularly impactful. Graduates transition quickly into industry roles, with many contributing to commissioned productions for audiences across the continent.
This linkage ensures that training translates directly into employment and enterprise creation.
Strengthening local content pipelines
The output of this system is content that is both locally grounded and commercially viable. African audiences increasingly seek stories that reflect their own experiences, languages, and cultural contexts.
Locally produced content fulfils this demand while retaining viewership within African markets.
MTF graduates have contributed to productions broadcast on MultiChoice platforms, including shows like The Deadbeat and Immersive Alarm.
Film projects produced through the programme have also gained continental reach, such as the West African fantasy drama Grown, Southern Africa’s The 11th Commandment, and East Africa’s Friday.
These productions demonstrate how skills development feeds directly into the creation of African intellectual property assets, generating revenue, employment, and cultural influence across multiple markets.
An ecosystem approach to growth
MultiChoice’s impact extends beyond content commissioning. The company operates as an ecosystem enabler, building partnerships with broadcasters, guilds, financiers, and educational institutions.
This collaborative model allows opportunities created through training to scale beyond a single organisation.
Each year, up to 60 MTF graduates enter the creative economy, contributing fresh skills and perspectives to new and existing productions.
Economically, this pipeline supports a multiplier effect: trained professionals enable more productions, which attract audiences and advertising or subscription revenue, reinvesting capital back into the sector.
The result is a reinforcing cycle of skills development, job creation, and business growth across the creative value chain.
Culture as economic output
Over time, MultiChoice has positioned itself as a significant driver of contemporary African popular culture. Its local productions consistently influence social-media conversations, digital engagement, and consumer behaviour.
Shows such as Big Brother Naija generate sustained online engagement across markets, while East African productions like The Real Housewives of Nairobi have launched personalities into regional prominence.
These moments illustrate how local content functions not only as entertainment, but as cultural capital shaping trends, dialogue, and shared experiences.
Delivering this level of cultural relevance requires more than technical proficiency. It depends on creators who understand how African audiences live, engage, and consume content in an increasingly digital environment.
By training young Africans within this context, MTF aligns production with audience demand.
Investing in the next generation
As part of the CANAL+ group, MultiChoice has reaffirmed its focus on long-term skills development within Africa’s creative industries. Applications are currently open for the 2026 intake at the MTF academies in Nairobi, Lagos, and Lusaka.
The fully funded programme targets aspiring directors, producers, scriptwriters, and filmmakers, with applications closing on 27 February 2026.
For the industry, initiatives like MTF represent a strategic investment, linking talent development to sustainable content production, economic participation, and the continued growth of Africa’s creative economy.
Prospective students can visit here to learn more about the MTF programme requirements.
