COTONOU: Sèmè City, a prominent initiative by the Benin Republic’s government focused on human capital development, has partnered with EbonyLife Media, a leading African media conglomerate, to establish the Sèmè City Film Lab. This film incubation program, co-developed with the EbonyLife Creative Academy and supported by the World Bank, aims to empower young talents in the Benin Republic with essential skills for success in the screen industries.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Sèmè City Film Lab is designed to address the needs of aspiring screenwriters and content producers for film and television. It provides an educational curriculum, mentoring opportunities, and access to a vibrant creative community extending to Nigeria and beyond. Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the shared vision of supporting creative entrepreneurs with necessary tools and opportunities. Claude Borna, Managing Director of Sèmè City, emphasized that the collaboration marks a
significant milestone in creating opportunities for young people in the film and television sectors.

The first group of participants will include thirty young talents selected for their potential and passion, irrespective of their prior experience in the industry. The program prioritizes the inclusion of young female talents to ensure greater diversity and representation. It spans 14 months, divided into a 6.5-month learning phase and a 7-month production phase, offering both theoretical and practical training in screenwriting and film production.

Applications are open to creatives aged 18 to 35 who are proficient in English and willing to complete the 14-month course in the Benin Republic. The application period runs from October 17, 2024, to December 20, 2024. The initiative aims to produce marketable cinematic content and boost film production in the Benin Republic, with opportunities for selected projects to be funded and produced.