Nigerian filmmaker and creative entrepreneur, Director Pink, is broadening the reach of her training initiative, PinkLine Academy, through new global partnerships and expanded programming that continue to attract emerging filmmakers from across Africa and beyond.

Now in its third cohort, the Academy has trained thousands of participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, the Benin Republic, the United Kingdom, and the United States, combining technical instruction with mentorship and professional exposure. The 2025 edition, hosted at Lagos’s Landmark Centre, provided students with both classroom learning and access to the wider creative environment within the Landmark ecosystem.

Speaking about the Academy’s vision, Director Pink said the goal was to bridge the gap between creative potential and professional opportunity. “PinkLine Academy was created to help young Africans acquire the skills, confidence, and network they need to thrive in film and digital storytelling,” she said.

Participants benefited from interactive sessions with established industry figures, including Shank, Taooma, Falz the Bahd Guy, Amazing Klef, Adasa Cookey, Clarence Peters, T.G. Omori, and Fluid Locations. The workshops covered diverse aspects of filmmaking — from skit production and music video direction to photography and logistics — offering participants a panoramic view of the industry.

A major development in this year’s edition was the Academy’s partnership with Chinese filmmaking equipment company, Ulanzi. The collaboration provided students with access to professional-grade tools and facilitated opportunities for cross-border learning and resource exchange.

To encourage excellence, the Academy awarded a $1,500 grant to the cohort’s top participant, alongside studio time and filmmaking equipment. The package, according to Director Pink, was designed to “remove immediate barriers to entry for young filmmakers” and support them in launching their first independent projects.

A graduate of the London Film Academy, Director Pink has emerged as one of Africa’s leading female directors and producers. She is recognised for her work in promoting gender inclusion in film and content production, using her platform to mentor and advocate for more women to assume leadership roles within the creative industry.

Her mentorship efforts include private coaching sessions and programmes tailored for female filmmakers, focusing on both creative development and the business aspects of production. “Women must be empowered to tell their own stories and own their creative processes,” she said, reflecting on her journey in an industry still dominated by men.

With three successful editions completed, Director Pink plans to expand PinkLine Academy’s footprint across Africa and globally, building a networked ecosystem for young creatives. Her long-term goal, she explained, is “to ensure that African filmmakers are not only part of the global industry but are shaping its future.”