MultiChoice Talent Factory Elevates Filmmaking Training for Southern African Students in Lusaka
The current MultiChoice Talent Factory course for aspiring Southern African filmmakers has taken a major step forward as students moved from online training in their home countries to immersive, in-person sessions at the Lusaka MTF Academy. This shift allows participants to experience the full scope of filmmaking firsthand while interacting with peers from across the region. Two Zimbabweans, Anthony Chiturike and Tatenda Kombora, are part of this year’s cohort, continuing the tradition of Zimbabwean representation since MTF was launched in 2018. The initiative equips students with practical skills across all stages of production while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s growing film and television industry. By combining theoretical learning with hands-on experience, MTF ensures that participants develop both creative confidence and professional competence.
Tatenda Kombora, 24, highlights the value of in-situ training, noting that the diversity of the student body has been the most rewarding aspect of the Lusaka course. Twenty participants from different Southern African countries bring a wide range of backgrounds, languages, and creative interests, creating a dynamic learning environment. She emphasizes that the mix of focus areas, from writing and editing to cinematography, allows students to gain exposure to multiple aspects of filmmaking. The previous online sessions introduced the fundamentals of the production cycle, but the physical training immerses students in real-world processes, including mentoring by industry veterans and interactions with MTF alumni. Tatenda describes visiting the set of Zambia’s major television production, Impali, as transformative, providing practical insights into sound, directing, lighting, and cinematography.
The hands-on experience has fueled Tatenda’s passion for cinematography, an area where female representation is limited. She has pursued additional online courses to deepen her skills while benefiting from peer support at the Lusaka academy. Participation in producing five independent short films has allowed her to work as a lighting technician, actor, and crew member, reinforcing the value of versatility in low-budget productions. Tatenda emphasizes that resource limitations have encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and innovative approaches to storytelling. Her involvement in the Impali writers’ room offered exposure to script development, character arcs, and collaborative storytelling, inspiring her to develop her own television, documentary, and feature film projects with the goal of producing enduring content.
Anthony Chiturike describes the shift from online to physical learning as energizing and rewarding, noting that the academy’s atmosphere fosters collaboration and hands-on engagement. Working on Impali and a subsequent one-hour production has allowed him to develop practical skills while forming strong connections within the MTF community. Mentorship from experienced professionals has provided guidance on industry standards, production workflows, and creative problem-solving. Anthony stresses the importance of passion in filmmaking and advises prospective MTF applicants to express their enthusiasm clearly in applications. For both Anthony and Tatenda, the combination of structured training, peer collaboration, and exposure to real productions has enhanced their readiness to contribute to Southern Africa’s film landscape.
As the current course approaches completion by mid-year, attention will shift to the next cohort, with applications having closed and interviews set to select the next group of emerging filmmakers. MultiChoice Talent Factory continues to nurture Southern African talent, producing skilled professionals who can tell meaningful stories and drive the growth of the region’s creative industries. By blending technical training with cultural exchange, mentorship, and hands-on production experience, MTF provides a foundation for future filmmakers to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting impact on African film and television.
