Nigeria’s unemployment rate currently stands at 33.3%, the highest in 13 years thanks in part to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in 2020. Youth unemployment stands at 42.5% and this may continue to rise according to experts.
A much-needed intervention is now appearing, riding on a partnership between KAP Film and Television Academy and the Mastercard Foundation. 300,000 young Nigerians will be trained on different aspects of filmmaking from directing, cinematography, and the business of film over three years.
Nigeria’s Nollywood is the third-largest film industry in the world after its American counterpart, Hollywood and the Indian film industry, Bollywood. It remains a significant soft continental power and provides an avenue for economic development.
A release, issued yesterday, says young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 will be selected for the training programme which will cover “areas of screenwriting, sound, editing, directing, cinematography and production design, among others as well as practical hands-on training. It will also link participants to employment or gig entrepreneurship activities, not only in the film industry via placements and internships, but in related sub-sectors such as fashion, make-up, music scores, editing, and scriptwriting.”
The training session will leverage phone technology and will be offered virtually. Less-privileged applicants will be provided with tools required for digital learning, free tuition and smartphone devices.
To encourage more young women to explore the opportunities in film production, 50% of the slot has been reserved for female applicants.
According to Kunle Afolayan who is the CEO and founder, the academy “focuses on growing the next generation of skilled filmmakers through the tutelage of veterans and film professionals who provide hands-on experience in diverse aspects of filmmaking to enrolled students.”
Selection will be based on a one-minute video pitch to assess the level of skill, passion, and socio-economic status of each applicant. The programme will also include two levels of certifications from professional institutions.
