A new initiative aimed at shaping the future of African cinema has been launched, as KAP Film & Television Academy, in partnership with SOPA (Société de Productions Audiovisuelles S.A.), an agency of the Government of the Republic of Benin, unveiled the KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp.
The programme was officially announced during a press briefing in Cotonou, where both organisations highlighted their shared commitment to strengthening Africa’s creative economy through youth empowerment, skills development, and authentic storytelling.
The fully funded 12-week intensive bootcamp will train 20 selected young creatives from Benin, equipping them with practical and industry-driven skills needed to build professional careers across the film and audiovisual sector.
The initiative marks the first major rollout of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between KAP Film & Television Academy and SOPA. The partnership is designed to boost capacity development within Benin’s creative industry through structured training and cross-border collaboration.
With the theme “Owning the Narrative,” the programme aims to empower African storytellers to tell original stories from an African perspective while gaining the technical expertise and industry exposure required to compete globally.
Participants will undergo training across three locations, starting with four weeks in Benin, followed by a one-week industry exposure programme in Lagos, Nigeria. The training will conclude with a seven-week practical residency at the KAP Film Village and Resort, where participants will work on real productions alongside experienced filmmakers.
The initiative also reflects Benin’s growing focus on the creative sector as a driver of youth employment, economic diversification, and global cultural influence. Through the partnership, SOPA seeks to close existing skills gaps while creating sustainable opportunities for emerging talents.
Speaking at the launch, Founder of KAP Film & Television Academy, Kunle Afolayan, described the programme as a strategic investment in Africa’s storytelling future.
“Africa is rich in talent and stories. Our responsibility is to create opportunities for young creatives to own the narrative, collaborate across borders and tell authentic stories that the world cannot ignore. This programme is an investment in the future of African storytelling,” he said.
Afolayan added that the Academy’s training model combines classroom learning with hands-on industry experience, enabling participants to learn directly from established professionals shaping Africa’s film landscape.
Also speaking, SOPA Managing Director, Abedje Sinatou, reaffirmed the Benin government’s commitment to building a globally competitive creative workforce.
“We are convinced that this strategic partnership with KAP Film & Television Academy will significantly advance the government’s objective of equipping our young people with the skills required to excel in cinema and the audiovisual arts. Through this collaboration, we are laying the foundation for a stronger creative industry capable of competing confidently on the international stage,” she said.
Welcoming the first cohort, Academy Director Seun Soyinka urged participants to maximise the opportunity.
“You are pioneers in what promises to become a defining platform for creative collaboration across Africa. Immerse yourselves in every experience, learn from some of the finest professionals on the continent and embrace the responsibility of becoming storytellers whose work will shape how Africa is seen by the world,” he said.
KAP Film & Television Academy, founded by acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading film training institutions, known for its industry-focused curriculum and experienced faculty.
Beyond technical training, the KAP-SOPA bootcamp is expected to promote regional collaboration, deepen cultural exchange, and nurture a new generation of filmmakers capable of producing globally relevant African stories.
Industry stakeholders say the initiative represents a significant step in positioning Africa’s film industry for greater global recognition, while demonstrating the impact of collaboration between governments and creative institutions.
