For the first time since its inception, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) programme in Zambia has graduated three students from Malawi in the 2024 cohort.
The past cohorts have seen Malawi graduating two recipients.
The three students that graduated in the programme on Wednesday, having started in February 2024, are Faith Msole, Beatus Ble Msamange, who is also a poet, and Memory Natasha Phiri.
Meanwhile, Msamange has performed impressively as he has come out as the second placed best student, earning himself a two-week internship opportunity in India.
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“It feels good to come second. I am expected to go to India next year,” the Lilongwe-based artist said.
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He said during his MTF journey, he has gained invaluable skills in collaborative filmmaking, storytelling and project management.
“Producing one of the student feature films during the course allowed me to oversee a complex production from pre-production to post-production, ensuring everything ran smoothly,” Msamange said.
He said this experience pushed him to explore new genres and themes, demonstrating his versatility in storytelling while addressing socially relevant topics.
“The training and exposure I have received at MTF have deepened my understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking, preparing me to take on impactful projects,” Msamange said.
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Additionally, Msamange said he had the experience of directing a second feature film that gave him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of creatives, emphasising the importance of teamwork and innovation.
“These experiences have not only strengthened my filmmaking expertise but have also taught me how to foster unity within a team,” he said.
He also said it was exciting this year for Malawi in that three representatives made it, compared to two the previous cohorts.
“They usually get seven from Zambia, two from five countries and another country gets three. This time it was the turn of Malawi to get three slots,” Msamange said.
MTF is a programme for aspiring filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers and is fully funded in an academic year.
Since its inception in 2018, MTF has welcomed 60 students each year, giving them an opportunity to reach their dreams and to unleash their potential by providing a platform that nurtures and develops talent across the continent.
MultiChoice says that through a series of rigorous training programmes, MTF believes in using hands-on approach and mentorship from industry experts.
At the end of the programme, top performing students from each academy get further training, mentorship and internship opportunities with MTF partners such as the New York Film Academy and India-based platform Zee World.
Some of the areas that the participants undergo during the programme include cinematography, sound design and editing.
MultiChoice says that MTF has had a profound impact across Africa, having already produced more than 300 alumni.
An MTF survey done recently found that around 92 percent of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector.
Apart from the three, some of the recipients of the MTF programme in Malawi include Brian Magombo, Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba and Jonathan Kapumba.
