The MultiChoice Talent Factory has partnered with SAE Institute, a world leader in creative media education, to offer fully funded online short courses to 300 professional filmmakers. The filmmakers come from Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. They work at various production houses and free-to-air channels, including public state-owned broadcasters.

The online short courses have been custom designed by MTF and SAE, after identifying certain skills shortages within the industry. The five courses created are Script Writing, Production Management, Cinematography, Audio Post-Production and 3D Animation. Each short course will run for five weeks. The courses were designed to address key areas of development that have been identified by content buyers and subject-matter experts in the industry.

SAE, with 47 campuses in 23 countries, has been setting the global benchmark for creative media education since 1976. In South Africa, they proudly offer nationally accredited Bachelor’s Degrees and Higher Certificates across 4 disciplines Animation, Audio, Games and Film.

“Following the success and immense impact of the MTF Academy, we’ve received numerous requests from established filmmakers, who are unable to apply for the Academy Graduate Programmes as they only cater for young filmmakers. To ensure we cater to those filmmakers, we wanted to create short courses to further enhance their skill sets and this is our response to those requests. The TV & film industry is constantly evolving and as such we as professionals must continue to diversify and develop our skills” say MTF Director for Africa, Nwabisa Matyumza.

The online orientation programme, hosted by South African comedian, Mpho Popps, was attended by the various filmmakers embarking on this exciting learning journey. During the orientation session, the filmmakers were taken through the online learning platform and had the opportunity to meet their course facilitators and fellow filmmakers from across the continent.

“We’re excited to walk this journey with the MultiChoice Talent Factory. Our purpose is to educate, empower and employ and this partnership allows us to expand this purpose into other African countries. These short courses provide much-needed upskilling for many self-taught individuals who have never had the opportunity to study at a university. It goes a long way in bolstering the existing skill and talent on the continent,” says Scott Rogers, Managing Director of Invictus Online at the SAE Institute.

Having any fun yet?

Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Showmax, having just been named Best Movie, Best Wide Release Movie and Best Action & Adventure Movie at Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Awards, which recognise the best reviewed films of the year. Top Gun: Maverick currently has a 96% rating from over 450 critics and a 99% audience score from over 50 000 fans on the site.

After more than 30 years of service as one of the navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Oscar nominee Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Sundance winner Miles Teller), call sign “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Rooster’s father trusted Maverick; he isn’t about to make the same mistake.

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears.

Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), Emmy winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men), four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris (Westworld), multi-award-winner Val Kilmer (Heat) and Monica Barbaro (UnREAL) co-star.

The second biggest box office hit globally, Top Gun: Maverick has already won more than 60 international awards and is one of the 100 top-rated movies of all time on IMDb. It was also named the best film of 2022 by media as varied as Complex, The Globe and Mail, IMDb, People, The Telegraph, Total Film, Uproxx, and The Washington Post.

As Rotten Tomatoes says, “Top Gun: Maverick is why we love the blockbuster experience: exhilarating action with big emotional stakes and an on-your-feet sunset ending.”

Similarly, Independent calls it “as thrilling as blockbusters get”; Daily Telegraph hails it as “unquestionably the best studio action film since 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road”; and Time/Out says, “You will want to high five someone on the way out.”

Top Gun: Maverick has been shortlisted in multiple Oscar categories and is already nominated for four 2023 BAFTAs, including Cinematography and Special Visual Effects; the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble; and a Grammy for its soundtrack, among other honours.

Showmax is also streaming the original 1980s classic, Top Gun, directed by the late Tony Scott and co-starring the likes of Oscar winner Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Emmy winners Anthony Edwards (ER) and Tom Skerritt (Alien), multi-award-winner Meg Ryan (When Harry Met Sally) and the late Kelly McGillis (Witness). Top Gun won an Oscar for Giorgio Moroder’s Take My Breath Away, a Grammy for Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Steven’s Top Gun Anthem, and the 1987 People’s Choice Award for Favourite Motion Picture, among other accolades.

So whether you’re feeling a need for speed, or Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, old-school action or 80s nostalgia, it’s time to strap in to Showmax.

Watch the Top Gun: Maverick trailer:

Watch the Top Gun trailer:

Showmax’s January movie line-up also includes the Oscar-nominated House of Gucci, the BAFTA-winning Licorice Pizza, and the animated blockbuster The Addams Family 2, with Jordan Peele’s Get Out, just named one of the top 100 films of all time in Sight & Sound’s once-a-decade critics’ poll, available from 26 January 2023, and 2022 BAFTA winner Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, available from 30 January 2023.

Showmax is also home to a wealth of Tom Cruise classics, including Mission: Impossible – Fallout, American Made, Oblivion, Interview With The Vampire, and The Last Samurai, as well as Jack Reacher and its sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.

Pairs Yelisa, Santheo, Juvon and Juiovla are up for eviction in new twist

Week two in the Big Brother Titans house turned out to be a key week to level out the ratio of cliques and rivalries, with Biggie adding a new twist where housemates had to form duos before taking part in the Head of House games – and then being nominated for eviction as a duo.

Vying for the grand prize of US$100,000, Blaqboi & Ipeleng (Blaqleng) came out tops as their strategy and pace were tested as a pair during this week’s challenge.

Nelisa & Yemi Cregx (Yelisa), Sandra & Theo Traw (Santheo), Justin & Yvonne (Juvone), and Juicy Jay & Olivia (Juiovla) were the four pairs to be nominated for eviction this Sunday.

How did it work? Housemates had to pick a card with the name of the opposite gender and nationality. The content of the card ultimately carried the name of the housemate they would be paired with throughout the show and compete with for the HoH privilege.

During the first round, male housemates played the “junk in the trunk” game, shaking out ping-pong balls in a tissue box placed around their waists. This was tailed by their partners taking each other on with the viral wine glass race using a roll of toilet paper and a wine glass to pull the glass towards them as fast and effortless as they could.

For the second round, Blaqleng went head-to-head with Khosi & Miracle OP (Khosicle), where the pairs juggled balloons in the air with only two simple rules: keep all four balloons afloat at the same time while remaining in the designated square – the pair who held all balloons afloat the longest won the challenge.

Taking over from Khosi, Nelisa & Yemi Cregx (Yelisa) were announced as this week’s Tails and were told by Biggie that each will be given a white board to carry throughout the week. The two will have to write down anything they need to communicate with their housemates on the white board before speaking. To avoid any penalties, they must duplicate word for word what has been written on the board without adding or taking away any words.

Following the initial nomination of Yelisa, Santheo, Juvone and Ebubu & Tsatsii (Royals), Blaqleng used their veto power to save Royals – replacing them with Juiovla during an emotional nomination process.

Once the final nominations were locked in and announced to the housemates, Biggie warned the nominated pairs not to campaign for votes or talk about their nomination ahead of Sunday’s show where one of the nominated pairs could be the first to leave the #BBTitans house.

Fans can vote for their favourite pair on dstv.com/bigbrothertitans and by registering on the site, as well as the DStv and GOtv Self Service Apps.

Catch Big Brother Titans live, 24/7 on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 29. Keep up with the conversation with the hashtag #BBTitans, visit dstv.com/bigbrothertitans, and follow @BigBroAfrica on Twitter, bigbro_africa on Instagram, and @BigBrotherAfrica on Facebook. 

Arafa, Comfort Booth, OJ Posharella, Princess Jecoco, Samantha Homossany and Tutupie to star in The Real Housewives of Abuja (more…)

This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Seyi Vibez, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Dadaboy Ehiz’s Favourite Track of the Week!

Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Dadaboy Ehiz this Friday, January 20th at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg /  1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Cover Star Interview

Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Seyi Vibez joins Dadaboy Ehiz via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest track, “Para Boi.” He also discusses how he developed his sound, the artist who motivates him the most, and how his creativity extends beyond music.

The Big 5

Dadaboy Ehiz shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Kel-P, Joeboy, Smallgod & Lojay, Nonso Amadi, and Camidoh & GDS.

Africa Rising 

South African amapiano producer, media personality and entertainer Uncle Vinny is the latest artist featured from Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features his singles, the Yumbs, Thabsie and 24 collab, “PHOLAS,” and the Yumbs and Kailey Botman collab, “Idlozi Yami.” Listen HERE.

Dadaboy’s Song of the Week

Each week, Dadaboy Ehiz chooses his favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week he spotlights South African kwaito legends Big Nuz and their track, “Ngeke (feat. Dj Yamza),” from Apple Music’s Gqom Nation playlist. Listen HERE (and find a roundup of all Dadaboy’s selections on Apple Music’s Dadaboy’s Playlist, HERE).

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, January 20th at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg /  1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 atapple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Seyi Vibez tells Apple Music about his sound

I would describe my sound [as] Afro-soul. I do conscious music a lot, anyone that knows Seyi Vibez knows me with a lot of conscious sound, so when I started doing the South African amapiano to my fusion, I started putting my conscious sound on it, even though there are fast beats, there are slow beats, I started adding my conscious sounds to it so that makes it more of my genre.

I’m not trying to sound like no one, it’s just pure me. The way I sing from way back, I also know how to put it on fast beats, so everything’s just going. My sound is just afro soul, some Fela Kuti vibe, some Islamic vibe, some celestial thing. It’s a mixture of a lot of things.

Seyi Vibez tells Apple Music about Burna Boy singing his track

From Burna Boy, it’s the biggest motivation I have to now. Up to now. It’s the biggest motivation, like “Seyi don’t stop, just keep up. They insult you, they like you or not, don’t stop! Just keep moving.”

Seyi Vibez tells Apple Music about his shoes and fashion taste

Seyi Vibez: The shoes… I like Balenciagas a lot and I like to create them in my own way. I’m just… fashion boy. I’m precious but I’m precious fashion. I want to impress! I like creating things in my own way, “OK, this shoe, can I make it something else?”

Dadaboy Ehiz: Are you trying to tell us that sometime, Seyi Vibez might give us a fashion line? Shoe line?

Seyi Vibez: Very very possible. It’s one of those things I’d like to do and have always liked to do, so I’m working on it presently. I’d like people to know more about my fashion.

MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is excited to welcome 60 new students for its Class of 2023 in its 12 Month fully funded education programme, that develops emerging TV and film talent in Africa.

The academy received thousands of applications across 13 countries in Africa, and after a rigorous selection process, 60 aspiring filmmakers have been selected to be part of the MTF’s 12-month training programme that includes both theory and hands-on experience in filmmaking from scriptwriting to cinematography, editing and audio post-production.

After an in-depth interview and adjudication process by regional Academy Directors and industry representatives, the final candidates that were selected include 50% males and 50% females from the Southern Region, 40% males and 60% females from the Western Region and a total of 55% males and 45% females will represent the Eastern Region.

MTF Academies continue to work with their regional and international partners to ensure that the students receive the best standard of training and practical experience needed to hone their skills and contribute positively to the film and TV industry. MTF also works with renowned local and international facilitators, such as academician Dr Benea Shapaya, Senior Lecturer Film and Media Studies at Kenyatta University, who will be facilitating a session on the history of film and television industry in Africa, and 4x SAFTA award-winning writer, producer, and Director – Neil McCarthy, who is currently one of the most highly experienced screenwriters in the country. The program also boasts a high calibre of award-winning specialists from across the continent, many of whom produce content for M-Net group channels.

The top graduates from each of the three academies will be presented with the incredible opportunity to further develop their skills with various internships sponsored by MTF partner organisations such as the New York Film Academy (NYFA) and Zee World amongst others. Where additional hands-on experience will take place to further prepare them for various sectors in the TV and film industry.

“We are extremely excited about the Class of 2023, and we wish them the best of luck as they start their new journey. Filmmaking is such a wonderful art and because it is ever-evolving, this year our students will be encouraged to explore and exploit various emerging technologies that are revolutionising the industry. I encourage the Class of 2023 to be bold and remain curious in their pursuit of telling African stories,” Said Multichoice Talent Factory Director for Africa, Nwabisa Matyumza.

MTF has shown continuous success since its inception, honing the skills of over 120 emerging filmmakers in 13 countries across the continent, who are now part of the growing MTF alumni network, taking African stories to the world. The MTF Alumni class of 2022, has within three months of graduating saw 60% of its graduates already economically active in the TV industry. This is a true testament of the power of training and development provided by the MTF programme.