The American Film Showcase has announced its 2024 AFS Film and TV Leadership Initiative Fellows. Four filmmakers and film industry leaders from Kenya and Nigeria have been selected for the programme, which takes place from October 9 to 23. The filmmakers are Kunle Afolayan and Bolanle Austen-Peters from Nigeria, as well as Kenneth Ambari and Philip Karanja from Kenya.
Benefits of the American Film Showcase Programme
Announcing the fellows on its Instagram account, the American Film Showcase said, “We are pleased to announce our 2024 AFS Film and TV Leadership Initiative Fellows! These four top Kenyan and Nigerian filmmakers and film industry leaders will travel to Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC, Middleburg, VA, and Atlanta, GA.
“During their trip, the fellows will engage with Hollywood counterparts in the United States. Additionally, they will confer with industry and studio leaders in Atlanta. “They will meet with their Hollywood counterparts in LA, State Department officials in DC, lead a panel at the Middleburg Film Festival in VA, and meet industry and studio leaders in Atlanta.”
The initiative, spearheaded by the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and supported by the US Department of State, aims to “support the creative economy in Africa and facilitate collaborative exchange between the American and African film industries.”
Afolayan also shared this development on his Instagram account: “This opportunity will enable participants to strengthen connections with global networks and open doors for future collaborations. The initiative serves as a platform to connect African creators with some of the most influential figures in the international entertainment industry.
“The significance of this initiative extends beyond personal growth, as it underscores a new chapter in African television, bringing a global focus to the region’s stories and talent.”
What is the American Film Showcase?
The American Film Showcase (AFS) is the United States’ flagship film and television cultural exchange programme. Since 2012, the AFS has collaborated with US Embassies in over 135 countries.
It fosters dialogue between American and international filmmakers through more than 50 annual global exchanges. Its training programmes have empowered filmmakers and reached over 500,000 people globally.
The African Creative TV Initiative
The AFS also runs the African Creative TV Initiative to empower African TV creators in producing quality content for the global market. The ACTV aims to “support sustainable industry development within African creative economies, build a regional network of African TV creatives, and elevate the role of creative producer in African TV“.
This year, the ACTV selected 16 African filmmakers of producers and screenwriters from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to attend a month-long residency at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, which ran from July 8 to August 8.
Representing Kenya were producers Becky Muikia, Tosh Gitonga, and Toni Kamau, alongside writers Jennifer Gatero and Mona Ombogo. Producers Isioma Osaje and Stephanie Dadet, and writers Chinaka Iwunze, Temidayo Makanjuola, and Fatimah Binta Gimsay represented Nigeria.
South Africa’s contingent included producers Phathu Makwarela, Meren Reddy, and Rethabile Ramaphakela, as well as writers Gwydion Beynon, Lwazi Mvuzi, and Nandisa Mkize.
