Meet the 2 Zim Filmmakers Who Beat the Odds as #MultichoiceTalentFactory Finalists

Two Zimbabweans are among the line-up of aspiring film-makers selected to undergo a year of intensive training in film and television production as part of the recently-launched MultiChoice Talent Factory initiative. Liz Dziva, the publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe said early this week that the 60 selected students had been chosen from more than 3 000 hopefuls across Africa, and are to be the first students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academies that will operate in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa, each of which will host 20 students.

“We are excited and delighted to have two Zimbabweans in the Academy and look forward to their participation and success, as well as to their future roles in the local film and television industry,” said Liz Dziva.

The candidates were chosen after a two-month process of shortlisting candidates from the 3,000 applicants from 13 countries, which was followed by a rigorous interview and adjudication process by a group of film and television industry experts and the three regional academy directors.

The Zimbabweans are Nobert Mapfoche of Bulawayo and Rutendo Mahofa of Harare, who will attend the Southern Africa MTF Academy in Lusaka, Zambia.

Nobert Mapfoch is a 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe who hopes to one day become a renowned film director with international success.

 

“I would like to bring a new dimension of visual storytelling that has never been seen in Africa before.”

Rutendo Sharmaine Mahofa is a 26-year-old creative entrepreneur based in Harare with a Bachelors in International Marketing. Tendo as she is nicknamed says she is drawn to filmmaking because she wants to tell stories.

 

“I want to tell stories the way I was and am destined to tell them…I want to be able to better articulate my thoughts on paper, understanding the dynamics of broadcast business much better, meaningful relationships and much more.”  

The Multichoice Talent Factory has attracted warm responses from Zimbabwe’s Filmmaking fraternity. Munya Chidzonga an Actor, Producer and former Big Brother Africa finalist said: 

“ The future of the film industry here lies in Pan-African business initiatives…I salute MultiChoice for this project. As iron sharpens iron, so too will this initiative take the best and make them better. I am excited and thrilled.”

The Multichoice Talent Factory initiative is said to be focused on the nurturing of young, aspiring film-makers;  capacitating and securing their professional contribution to Africa’s creative industry.

“This year-long programme will establish a meaningful pool of young African creatives by providing them with invaluable hands-on industry experience that will give them the confidence to take on the world,” concluded Liz Dziva.

The 20 future film-makers chosen from Southern Africa start their year’s training on October 1. MultiChoice Africa is sponsoring the students’ tuition fees, accommodation, as well as a stipend for the duration of their training.

Follow the Multichoice Talent Factory on Instagram (@multichoicetalentfactory), Twitter (@MCTalentFactory) and Facebook (@multichoiceafricatalentfactory), or on their website  www.multichoiceafrica.com.