Oyo, KAP Film launch 10-day filmmaking residency for youths

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the KAP Film & Television Academy, founded by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, to launch a 10-day intensive filmmaking residency aimed at equipping young Niger...

Published 2 Oct 2025

Director, KAP Film and Television Academy, Seun Soyinka (left); Audio-visual Attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Christophe Pecot; a graduating student, Founder, KAP Film and Television Academy, Kunle Afolayan, and veteran filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, at the event

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the KAP Film & Television Academy, founded by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, to launch a 10-day intensive filmmaking residency aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills in the film industry.

The programme, themed “Emerging Stories,” is scheduled to run from 6 to 15 October at the KAP Film Village & Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State, the production site of Netflix’s Aníkúlápó, according to a statement released to PUNCH Online on Thursday.

The residency is designed to provide participants with hands-on training across multiple disciplines, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and film business management. Veteran figures in Nigerian cinema, including Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani, and Joke Silva, will serve as mentors throughout the programme.

“This residency is much more about technical skills; it’s about instilling the passion and discipline required to become a successful storyteller,” Afolayan said.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the collaboration aligns with the state’s objectives to empower youth and expand its cultural economy.

“The programme reflects our commitment to empowering youth and positioning Oyo State as a premier hub for creativity and innovation; a strategic partnership with KAP Academy will significantly boost our efforts towards opening significant opportunities both for our young people and for the cultural economy of our state,” he said.

Ojo, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, confirmed that participants drawn from across the state were prepared to engage in the residency and benefit from the training.

Founded in 2021, the KAP Film & Television Academy has trained over 40,000 students across Africa through courses, masterclasses, and residency programmes, establishing itself as one of the leading film training institutions on the continent.

The “Emerging Stories” residency represents a continuation of Oyo State’s efforts to integrate cultural development with youth empowerment and to provide a platform for young filmmakers to develop both creative and professional competencies under the guidance of established industry practitioners.