Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
Lights, camera, opportunity!
Africa’s most powerful film and television training pipeline, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), has officially opened applications for its 2026 intake, and Zimbabwean creatives are being challenged to step forward and claim their spot on the continental stage.
The multi-country programme has become a proven launchpad for Africa’s next generation of directors, producers, scriptwriters and content creators and Zimbabwe has quietly built a reputation as one of its strongest contributors.
MultiChoice Zimbabwe head of corporate affairs and public relations Gerald Ngonyamo says the country’s track record speaks for itself.
“We are excited at the prospect of more Zimbabweans being selected for 2026 as there have always been at least two students selected from this country in each of the intakes since the initiative started in 2018,” he said.
Since its inception, the MTF has evolved into a powerhouse, feeding talent directly into Africa’s booming film and TV industry. With African stories now commanding space on global platforms, the timing could not be better.
Fresh off MultiChoice’s integration into international media giant CANAL+, the company has doubled down on its commitment to youth empowerment and African storytelling with MTF sitting at the centre of that vision.
“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, so this is an exciting opportunity that must be followed up,” said Ngonyamo.
The nine-month, fully accredited programme is anything but theory-heavy classroom work. Delivered through a hybrid model, it combines online learning with intense, hands-on physical training designed to simulate real industry conditions.
Training takes place at MTF academies in South Africa, Nairobi (Kenya) for East Africa, Lagos (Nigeria) for West Africa and Lusaka (Zambia) for Southern Africa. Filmmakers from at least 14 African countries converge at these hubs, building cross-border networks that often outlive the programme itself.
And the results?
They are already written into Africa’s film history. “The MTF had trained 296 filmmakers since its inception in 2018, with more than 40 films already produced by graduates,” said Ngonyamo.
“This is very exciting for the whole African filmmaking scene, as the proof of the value of this programme is there to be seen.”
Unlike many training initiatives, MTF doesn’t end with certificates and handshakes. Participants are required to produce their own films real projects, not student exercises which are then aired on DStv channels including Maisha Magic, Zambezi Magic and Africa Magic, as well as on streaming platform Showmax.
For many, that first broadcast becomes a career-defining moment.
Post-graduation success stories continue to stack up. Most alumni are absorbed into the MultiChoice ecosystem, working on flagship African productions, while others branch out and build their own companies. To date, more than 50 production companies have been launched by MTF graduates.
“MTF supports a local content approach and is an investment that empowers African people to tell African stories,” said Ngonyamo.
That empowerment has translated into trophies and international recognition. MTF alumni have gone on to shine at major industry events including the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and the Women in Film Awards.
Beyond awards season, graduates are increasingly visible in global creative spaces, collaborating internationally and pitching African stories at platforms such as the European Film Market and Durban FilmMart.
“The nominations and award wins testify to the calibre of filmmakers that MTF produces, who are individuals competing on a global scale by telling authentic African stories well,” Ngonyamo said.
“The knowledge and skills imparted by MTF empowers graduates to become catalysts for economic growth and cultural enrichment in their communities.”
With applications closing on February 27, the message to aspiring Zimbabwean creatives is clear: this is not just another course it’s a doorway into Africa’s entertainment future.
“For aspiring African creatives with dreams of a film and TV career, applying to join the fully funded MTF course could be the first step toward shaping the future of African entertainment,” said Ngonyamo.
