Kunle Afolayan Mentors Emerging Filmmakers and Awards Cash Prizes
Kunle Afolayan, a renowned and award-winning filmmaker, continues to make significant strides in promoting Nigerian culture globally. Beyond his filmmaking career, Afolayan is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, ensuring that they are equipped to take the world by storm. Through his KAP Film and Television Academy, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria, Afolayan recently organized the Advanced Filmmaking Masterclass to train a new crop of filmmakers.
Afolayan expressed his commitment to empowering young filmmakers during the program, stating, “For me, we are committed to training, empowering, and building capacity. And that is what we stand for. I am very proud of these students because from here, they are starting their own journey, their own career.” His passion for film and television is evident, and the program is designed to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers who will continue to tell important stories.
The collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria was highlighted by Afolayan as an essential part of the program’s success. He acknowledged the embassy’s support, noting that without it, the cost of the training would have been prohibitive. “The French Embassy has been very generous to you guys. This would have cost you millions,” Afolayan said, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in making the program accessible to the students.
The masterclass, which ran from November 25 to December 16, 2024, brought together 40 intermediate-level filmmakers to enhance their skills in various aspects of filmmaking. The program culminated in a graduation ceremony on December 16, where the participants showcased their short films. The films presented were Christmas Eve, Silent Hunger, Culprit, and Photoshoot. Afolayan selected Culprit as the best film, rewarding its creators with a generous cash prize of one million naira to help them produce another film with equipment provided by the academy.
Additionally, the team behind Photoshoot, which was deemed the second-best film, received a cash award of five hundred thousand naira. Afolayan’s gesture was aimed at encouraging the students to continue their filmmaking journey and produce more creative works.
Christopher Pecot, the Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, praised the quality of the short films produced by the students. He expressed his admiration for their work and encouraged them to continue honing their craft. “The key success of your project is the script. Be careful with the scripts. Scriptwriting is very important,” Pecot advised, offering words of confidence and encouragement.
Tunde Kelani, a veteran filmmaker, also congratulated the students for their achievements, especially considering the limited resources they had to work with. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and expressed confidence that the students were on their way to becoming successful filmmakers. “With limited equipment and resources, you have achieved this. You have to work as a team,” Kelani said.
The training program, which was a huge success, provided the students with hands-on experience in filmmaking, from scriptwriting to post-production. They had the opportunity to learn from industry veterans such as Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani, Bimbo Akintola, Tunde Babalola, Ope Ajayi, Judith Audu, and others. The students worked on their own short films, gaining practical experience in pre-production, directing, cinematography, and more.
The graduation ceremony was a celebration of the students’ hard work and dedication. Prof. Tunji Azeez, the head of the school, expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, noting that they were poised to transform the Nigerian and global movie industry. “It gives me great pleasure to once again stand here on this occasion for us to graduate another set of students we believe are going to transform the movie industry in Nigeria and globally,” Azeez said.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Mr. Seun Soyinka, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, and the parents and guardians of the graduating students, all of whom were proud to witness the students’ success.
This initiative by Kunle Afolayan and the French Embassy highlights the importance of nurturing young talent in the Nigerian film industry and providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed. With continued support and training, these emerging filmmakers are set to make a significant impact on the global film scene.
