By Modupe Gbadeyanka

No fewer than 20 young filmmakers from Nigeria and Ghana have completed the 2026 cohort of the MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa Academy.

This is an initiative of MultiChoice, a Canal + Company, designed to develop young talent for Africa’s film and television industry.

The nine-month programme, put in place in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University, blends academic excellence with hands-on industry exposure, offering specialised training in directing, producing, scriptwriting, cinematography, and editing.

Demonstrating their readiness for the business of film, five graduates launched two independent companies during the academic year: Muri Marun Stories, a production house founded by Tolulope Akande, Opeyemi Obasa, and Dorathy Ufot; and CineX Mart Limited, a marketing and distribution firm established by Abdulsalam Ibrahim Oladimeji and Audu Israel Yakubu.

In recognition of this innovation, Muri Marun Stories Limited was announced as the recipient of the CEO’s Entrepreneurial Award, accompanied by a N2 million prize to support the company’s growth.

CineX Mart Limited also received special recognition for its strong business potential and early industry traction. It is already making significant industry inroads, having successfully placed the short film The Phone Call on Minflix and managing the marketing for the MTF film Trouble for Two.

Individual creative excellence was equally prominent, with student Kwaku Edusei Acquah earning the Audience Choice Award at the Lift-Off Global Network Film Festival for his film. The Imperfect Plan, alongside notable projects from peers Amirat Yakub and Emmanuella Nwachukwu.

Further recognising his outstanding creativity, Kwaku Edusei Acquah was awarded the Creative Innovator Award by the University for the Creative Arts, presented by Seyi Agboola, Senior International Recruitment Manager. The award comes with a £1,500 prize to support his continued development.

“This graduation marks a defining moment not just for these students, but for the future of African storytelling. They are no longer learners, but part of a distinguished creative community shaping narratives across the continent.

“Through their work, they are already creating jobs, inspiring communities, and positioning African stories where they belong; at the centre of the global stage,” the chief executive of MultiChoice Nigeria, Ms Kemi Omotosho, said.

On his part, the Dean for the School of Media and Communication at Pan Atlantic University, Mr Ikechukwu Obiaya, said, “This is the end of a phase, but only the beginning of your journey. You must commit to continuous learning, collaboration, and curiosity. The industry does not reward complacency; it rewards those who are intentional about growth.”

MTF’s long-term impact is best mirrored in the global success of its alumni. Most recently, the Class of 2021’s digital platform, Filmmakers Mart, received World Bank Group support to fuel a five-country expansion. Furthermore, Blessing Bulus earned the Women in Arts Impact Grant for the documentary Mi Tazi, while Ebuwa Desmond Ekunwe secured a prestigious fellowship at Germany’s Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.

Additionally, Alice Johnson has stepped into a key leadership role at the Goethe-Institut, coordinating Africa-Europe cultural partnerships.

As African storytelling continues to reach new audiences around the world, a new generation of filmmakers is stepping up with bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and stories that feel anything but ordinary. Helping to drive this momentum is the MultiChoice Talent Factory, which is setting the stage for Young Filmmakers Day ahead of its Awards Night on May 6.

This special gathering is more than a pre-awards celebration. It serves as a bridge connecting aspiring filmmakers with the industry experts who are actively shaping Africa’s creative economy. The focus is clear: create a space where talent meets opportunity, and where ideas are not only shared but refined into careers.

A Space for Audacious Storytelling

With the theme “Audacious Storytelling & Attracting The Right Opportunities,” the event is positioned as a call to action for young creatives across the continent. It reflects a growing shift in African storytelling, one that encourages risk-taking, originality, and authenticity.

From script development to production insights, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals, gaining practical guidance on how to navigate an increasingly competitive film landscape. The conversations are expected to move beyond inspiration into how stories are shaped, funded, and positioned for both local and global audiences.

Building the Next Generation of African Filmmakers

What makes Young Filmmakers Day significant is its intentional focus on access. For many emerging creatives, breaking into the film industry is not just about talent; it is about connection. This initiative seeks to close that gap by placing young storytellers in the same room as decision-makers, mentors, and established creators.

Backed by Canal+ through its investment in creative development across Africa, the program reinforces a long-term vision: to strengthen the continent’s storytelling pipeline and ensure African narratives continue to evolve on global platforms.

How to Participate

Aspiring filmmakers interested in attending are encouraged to register by sending an email to [email protected]. Slots are limited to reinforce the exclusivity and value of direct engagement with industry leaders.

Most people don’t take reality TV seriously, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. From the outside, it looks like nothing more than fights, chaos, and unnecessary drama. For many, it’s just noise and entertainment with zero substance and absolutely no lessons to take away.

But that’s only if you’re watching on the surface.

Beyond the arguments and plot twists, reality TV is really just human behaviour on display, raw, unfiltered, and often under pressure. And when you pay closer attention, real lessons are hiding in plain sight. Not just about other people, but about yourself too, your reactions, your boundaries, your patience, and your emotional triggers.

Here are a few life lessons reality TV quietly teaches:

1. Tolerance Isn’t Just a Buzzword

Reality shows throw together people from different backgrounds, personalities, and belief systems. Naturally, clashes happen. But it also highlights something important: not everyone will think, act, or respond like you, and that’s okay. Learning to coexist without constant conflict is a real-life skill a lot of people are still figuring out.

2.  Patience Will Save You From Unnecessary Chaos

Some of the biggest blow-ups on reality TV happen because someone reacts too quickly, no pause, no reflection, just emotion. Watching it unfold makes one thing clear: a little patience can prevent a lot of regret. Sometimes, not responding immediately is the smarter move.

3.  Self-Awareness Is Everything

It’s easy to judge contestants when you’re watching from your couch. “Why would they say that?” “Why are they acting like this?” But if you’re honest, you start to see bits of yourself, too. The impulsiveness, the defensiveness, the need to be understood. Reality TV can be an unexpected mirror if you let it.

4. Not Everyone Is Your Friend (And That’s Okay)

Alliances form quickly on reality TV, but they break just as fast. Some people are with you for convenience, not loyalty. It sounds harsh, but it’s real. Not every connection in your life is meant to be deep or long-term. Learning to accept that and not take it personally is a quiet form of growth.

5.  Confidence Can Take You Further Than Perfection

You’ll often see contestants who aren’t the most skilled still go far simply because they believe in themselves. Meanwhile, more “qualified” people doubt themselves into silence or hesitation. Reality TV constantly shows that confidence opens doors. You don’t have to be perfect to stand out; you just have to show up as you belong.

6.  The Way You Handle Pressure Defines You

Anyone can seem composed when things are going well. The real test is pressure, deadlines, competition, conflict, and uncertainty. Reality TV compresses all of that into intense moments, and you see clearly who crumbles, who adapts, and who thrives. It’s a reminder that growth often happens in uncomfortable situations, not easy ones.

At the end of the day, reality TV isn’t really about the drama; it’s about people being placed in situations that strip away filters and force real reactions. And once you see it that way, it becomes less about entertainment and more about observation.

So, even if it doesn’t look like it at first glance, shows like The Real Housewives of Lagos, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love & Hip Hop, and other lifestyle reality series often watched on platforms like GOtv aren’t just about the chaos on screen. They quietly reflect everyday human behaviour and sometimes even offer a bit of self-reflection in the process.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.