BY LULSEGED WORKU
Melkamu Haile, is a young film maker here in Addis Ababa. He is a gifted young movie maker and director. Despite his talent, he did not properly capitalize on his blessing for various reasons. Absence of external training opportunities, inability to share knowledge and skills with other African filmmakers is among the factors. However, according to Melkamu, despite all the challenges, Ethiopia still has several passionate young filmmakers who can promote their country in the world of film industry.
His recent experience in the 2022 MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy (MTF) has confirmed him the potential he and his nation has in the area of film industry. After successfully accomplish his one year training in field of storytelling, directing and production, Melkamu is awarded a full scholarship to an eight- week program in the New York Film Academy which is renowned as one of the best film schools in the world. When asked the secret behind his success, Melkamu said that passion and commitment are reasons for his achievements. Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to cultivate and follow it for the reason it sometimes does not put food on the table and pay bills.
“Whenever youths give no excuse for the failure they may face, they can achieve whatever they want. There may be several factors that block our way from achieving our goals; but we should be persistent towards our dream. Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular are places where diverse cultural practices and ancient stories are found. In this regard, building continental as well as regional images through movies should be the responsibility of every African youth. Indeed, Africa is a land with talented youth. Be it in the area of literature, painting, film making or any form of art, the continent is a land where many gifted youths thrive.
However, absence of opportunities to showcasing their talent in the international arena, they are seen giving up their dreams. In some cases, however, there are opportunities that bring African youth talent to the real world, where they can promote themselves and contribute their part to the world. MTF Academy is among these African institutions that are working to nurture African talent. Using its available resources the Academy offers training to gifted African youth.
Lately, MTF, East Africa has awarded youth from different East African countries and for this year, Ethiopian filmmaker, Melkamu Haile, has become among the outstanding trainees who excelled in the training. Using this as a ground, The Ethiopian Herald had contacted MTF Academy Director, Victoria Goro, to ask the objectives and the importance of having such kinds of Academies in Africa, especially, East Africa.
According to the Director, MTF Academy program has an aim to develop emerging film and TV talent in East Africa by offering a 12-month accredited program within local production houses. “The objective of MTF is to accelerate development of talent in film and TV in Africa. By using such opportunities talented African youth could improve their skill. They can combine film studies with studio experience in both the academic (theory) and practical immersion (hands-on experience) in storytelling, cinematography, audio-production, and editing. The program is offered in partnership with Kenyatta University- a respected tertiary education institution in Kenya. The students get the chance to hone their skills in film and TV production by making films along with industry’s experts.”
Asked to what extent the Academy has gone to produce talented African youth, she said, since the inception of the East Africa Academy, it has graduated 49 young filmmakers. “Our graduates are a true representation of talent, enthusiasm and passion for film in our region; and after leaving the Academy, they have gone on to launch successful careers in film and TV production both as independent producers and also as employees of leading production houses.
Our alumni are trailblazers who have kept the tradition of African storytelling alive, cognizant of the fact that our stories are rooted in our oral culture and traditions.” Concerning cultural and historical richness of the region, Victoria said, East Africa is a hub of unique African stories yet to be told. East Africa is also home to young, vibrant, focused and purpose -driven film talent waiting to be unveiled. These two scenarios provide the perfect opportunity for the MTF program to craft a training program that speaks to the need to bring uniquely African stories to homes and cinemas across the continent.
“Our intensive one-year program is facilitated by seasoned and award-winning filmmakers from our continent and working with our partners amongst them the New York Film Academy (NYFA), Dolby, Canon and Henley Business School, equips our talented young filmmakers with knowledge, exposure and skills to produce multi-skilled, market ready graduates who are ready to contribute to both the technical and professional value-chain as we tell the African story.”
For young African filmmakers and directors like that of Melkamu, this exposure will sharpen their skills, give them extra training and opportunity to create their own original work in a multicultural environment, and attend intensive workshops in areas of their choice. “In this regard, I expect that Melkamu will use the knowledge, experience and exposure he has gained from the NYFA program and enables him to bring to the fore innovative production models that will be utilized to unveil to the world the rich stories found in Ethiopia. I also expect that he will expand his unique vision, voice, style and approach to storytelling with expert guidance from the faculty at NYFA,” she opined.
“Melkamu will actively and dynamically expand his body of film projects and creative resources with self-designed projects in screenwriting, narrative film, and new media. I expect that the program will expand his body of work whilst maintaining continuity in his professional life.” As highly motivated individuals that have creative vision, I expect that Melkamu and the winners of this top award from our three Academies will emerge with powerful original work and a more distinctive artistic voice, he reiterated.
Speaking at the welcoming ceremony of Melkamu, the well-known Ethiopian actor and film producer Mikael Million said that beside promoting the country, having such kind of opportunities to Ethiopian youth truly support the film industry and encourages young Ethiopian film makers to be more competent and boost their confidence in global arenas.
MTF Academies were launched in October 2018 to promote African stories and talents through the means of film making. The East Africa Academy based in Nairobi, Kenya trains 20 emerging and talented young filmmakers drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia every year.
The Ethiopian Herald October 30/2022
