Headline: Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Academy, Benin Partner to Train Young African Filmmakers
Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Film & Television Academy has partnered with Benin Republic’s Société de Productions Audiovisuelles (SOPA) to launch a 12-week Pan-African filmmaking bootcamp aimed at developing the next generation of African storytellers.
The initiative, titled “Owning the Narrative,” will provide intensive training for 20 emerging filmmakers from Benin, combining classroom instruction, industry immersion and practical production experience across Benin and Nigeria.
The program is the first major project under a memorandum of understanding signed between KAP Film & Television Academy and SOPA in February 2026. Organizers say the partnership is designed to strengthen Africa’s creative economy by investing in young talent and promoting authentic African stories.
Training will begin with four weeks of foundational instruction in Benin before participants travel to Lagos for a one-week industry immersion at KAP Film & Television Academy. The final phase consists of a seven-week residency at the KAP Film Village in Igbojaye, Oyo State, where participants will work alongside experienced industry professionals on practical film projects.
Speaking on the initiative, Afolayan described the bootcamp as a long-term investment in African cinema.
“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.
SOPA Managing Director Abedje Sinatou said the collaboration supports the Beninese government’s efforts to build 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,” Sinatou said.
She added that the initiative would help lay the foundation for a stronger film industry capable of competing internationally.
KAP Film & Television Academy Director Seun Soyinka described the inaugural participants as pioneers of what could become a landmark platform for cross-border creative collaboration across Africa.
Beyond technical training, the initiative reflects growing efforts by African institutions to deepen regional partnerships in the creative sector, foster cultural exchange and position African filmmakers to tell stories that resonate with global audiences.
The “Owning the Narrative” bootcamp is expected to serve as the flagship programme under the broader partnership between KAP Film & Television Academy and SOPA, with both organizations expressing optimism that it will contribute to the long-term growth of Benin’s film and audiovisual industry while strengthening collaboration across the continent.
