KAP Academy launches youth filmmaking residency in Nigeria
10-day hands-on training in directing, writing, and cinematography kicks off October 6 at Kunle Afolayan’s Film Village in Oyo.
The KAP Academy, founded by award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, is set to host a filmmaking residency from October 6 to 15 at the KAP Film Village & Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State.
Tagged “Emerging Stories,” the 10-day programme is being organised in partnership with the Oyo State Government and will immerse young creatives in the core areas of filmmaking, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and the business side of the industry.
Participants will learn directly from Afolayan, alongside cinema greats Tunde Kelani and Joke Silva. The Film Village, which famously served as the set for Netflix’s Aníkúlápó, will double as a classroom where trainees experience the full process of filmmaking from script to screen.
“This residency is not just about technical skills,” Afolayan explained. “It’s about giving young people the discipline, creativity, and courage to tell stories that are truly Nigerian.”
Also Read: This stunning film retreat is drawing visitors from far and wide
Governor Seyi Makinde said the initiative fits into Oyo State’s wider plans to empower young people and strengthen its cultural economy. “The partnership with KAP Academy reflects our commitment to positioning Oyo as a creative hub while opening opportunities for young people to thrive in the industry,” he said.
Since its creation in 2021, KAP Academy has trained more than 40,000 students across Africa through courses, masterclasses, and residencies, building a reputation as one of the continent’s leading film schools. This residency represents its most ambitious step yet toward building structured, world-class training for Nigerian filmmakers.
The launch also comes at a time when Nollywood is enjoying global recognition, with Netflix investing heavily in local productions and Nigerian films making international waves. Still, experts warn that the industry faces serious gaps in technical expertise, infrastructure, and structured training. Initiatives like the KAP residency, they argue, could help fill those gaps and keep Nigerian stories competitive on the world stage.
Organisers stress that beyond imparting technical knowledge, the programme is designed to prepare participants for the realities of a fast-changing industry, where streaming platforms, new technologies, and global competition are reshaping opportunities.
By bringing government backing together with private sector know-how, the residency could provide a model for how Nigeria can grow its creative economy, one of the fastest-expanding sectors and a major source of jobs for its young population.
