KAP Academy, Benin’s SOPA unveil Pan-African bootcamp

By Efe Onodjae 

A new initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s film industry has been launched following a partnership between KAP Film & Television Academy and the Republic of Benin’s Société de Productions Audiovisuelles (SOPA) to train young filmmakers across the continent.

The programme, known as the KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp, was unveiled on Monday in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, with both organisations describing it as a strategic investment in Africa’s creative economy and the future of indigenous storytelling.

The 12-week fully sponsored intensive training programme will equip 20 selected young creatives from the Republic of Benin with practical and industry-driven filmmaking skills, preparing them for careers across the film and audiovisual value chain.

The initiative is the first major outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between KAP Film & Television Academy and SOPA, a government agency established to promote the audiovisual and creative industries in Benin.

Speaking at the launch, founder of KAP Film & Television Academy, Kunle Afolayan, said the partnership was designed to empower young Africans to tell authentic stories capable of competing on the global stage.

“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.

According to the organisers, the bootcamp is themed “Owning the Narrative” and seeks to equip participants with technical expertise, creative confidence and practical industry exposure.

The programme will begin with four weeks of foundational training in the Republic of Benin, followed by one week of industry immersion at the academy’s Lagos hub before participants proceed to a seven-week practical residency at the KAP Film Village and Resort, where they will work alongside established filmmakers on live productions.

Managing Director of SOPA, Abedje Sinatou, said the partnership aligns with the Beninese government’s vision of using the creative industry as a driver of youth empowerment, economic diversification and cultural development.

“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,” Sinatou said.

Also speaking, Director of KAP Film & Television Academy, Seun Soyinka, urged participants to maximise the opportunity, describing them as pioneers of what could become a defining platform for creative collaboration across Africa.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the intensive training and contribute to shaping how Africa is represented through film and storytelling.

Organisers noted that beyond developing technical filmmaking skills, the initiative is expected to promote regional collaboration, strengthen cultural exchange and nurture a new generation of filmmakers capable of producing authentic African stories with global appeal.