A major boost for Africa’s film industry has emerged with the launch of the KAP–SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp, a landmark initiative designed to equip young African creatives with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the global film and television industry.

The programme, which was unveiled in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Tuesday, June 30, is hinged on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between KAP Film & Television Academy and SOPA (Société de Productions Audiovisuelles S.A.), an agency of the Government of the Republic of Benin, marks the first major outcome of the MoU signed earlier this year between the two institutions.

The fully funded 12-week intensive programme will train 20 carefully selected young creatives from the Republic of Benin through a blend of classroom learning, practical production and cross-border industry exposure.

Built around the theme, “Owning the Narrative,” the bootcamp aims to equip and empower emerging filmmakers with the technical skills, creative confidence, and professional exposure required to compete internationally to tell authentic African stories while developing the technical expertise, creative confidence, and professional discipline.

The training structure crosses three countries. Participants will begin with four weeks of foundational instruction in Benin, followed by a week of industry exposure in Lagos, before completing a seven-week practical residency at the KAP Film Village and Resort, where they will work on real productions alongside established filmmakers.

Speaking at the launch, founder of KAP Film & Television Academy, Kunle Afolayan, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Africa’s creative future. “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.

Managing Director of SOPA, Abedje Sinatou, said the partnership aligns with the Beninese government’s vision of building a globally competitive creative workforce capable of driving economic growth and cultural influence.

“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.”

Academy Director, KAP Film & Television Academy, Seun Soyinka urged participants to maximise the opportunity, describing them as pioneers in a programme expected to deepen creative collaboration across Africa and shape how the continent’s stories are told globally.

Renowned for its industry-led curriculum, KAP Film & Television Academy has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s leading film training institutions, with a faculty comprising accomplished directors, producers, cinematographers, screenwriters, editors and actors.

Beyond technical training, the KAP–SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp is designed to strengthen regional ties, cultural exchange, and nurture a new generation of filmmakers capable of telling African stories with authenticity and global reach.

As African cinema continues to gain international recognition, the KAP-SOPA partnership signals a bold investment in the continent’s creative economy — one that places African storytelling, talent development and cross-border collaboration at the heart of its future.