Renowned Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, through his production company, KAP Productions, has partnered with the U.S. Embassy to empower young Nigerian filmmakers. The collaboration, unveiled on Tuesday at the KAP Village in Ikeja, Lagos, involves a four-day workshop on movie directing and cinematography facilitated by acclaimed U.S. professionals Angel Kristi Williams and Erin G. Wesley.
Empowering Young Talent
The initiative aims to nurture the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers by offering hands-on training and certification. Speaking about the partnership, Afolayan said, “When the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Embassy came, we felt we could merge the capacity-building training. Our focus is on young people. For me, this is a success story.”
The workshop, held from November 12 to 16, is part of KAP Film & Television Academy’s broader mission to develop Nigeria’s creative industry. Afolayan highlighted the academy’s other collaborations with the French Embassy, a German company, and its training of over 10,000 youths.
Cultural Exchange
Will Stevens, U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, emphasized the cultural significance of the partnership. “This initiative showcases the shared cultural power between the United States and Nigeria, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration,” he said.
Notable Attendees
Prominent figures such as Sola Sobowale, Tunde Kelani, Steve Sodiya, and Ope Ajayi attended the event, underscoring its importance to the Nigerian film industry.
This partnership further solidifies Kunle Afolayan’s commitment to advancing the Nigerian film industry by providing young talents with global opportunities and expertise.
