There was a time when the path for young African filmmakers was predictable: assist on sets for years, wait for a break, hope for funding, and gradually earn visibility. Today, that path is changing, and Segun Samuel Ogundeyi represents a new version of what early-career success can look like.
In 2023, he graduated as Best Student from the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF). In 2024, he stood on the winners’ list at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Her Dark Past, the feature film he co-directed. Now, he is preparing for advanced studies at the New York Film Academy in Florence, sponsored by MTF.
The scholarship, which is part of MTF's strategic partnership with the New York Film Academy, is a collaboration designed to build bridges between Nollywood and Hollywood while creating meaningful global connections for African filmmakers. It is one of the clearer examples of how training institutions are now building international pathways into their programmes, not as afterthoughts but as a core strategy.
But beyond the milestones, his journey reflects three shifts shaping African cinema today: versatility, ownership, and global positioning.
1. The Rise of the Multi-Skilled Filmmaker
Ogundeyi did not leave film school boxed into a single identity. Since graduation, he has worked across directing and cinematography, co-directing a feature, shooting short films like Threshold, and serving as cinematographer on Transparent Boy, currently in post-production.
This kind of fluidity is becoming more valuable in Africa’s evolving film ecosystem. Budgets are tight, teams are lean, and filmmakers who understand multiple departments often move faster and make stronger creative decisions. Rather than limiting himself to one lane, Ogundeyi built competence across disciplines, a move that has expanded his opportunities.
2. From Collaboration to Company
Another notable development is his transition from graduate to entrepreneur. In 2024, he co-founded NINE NINE Productions Limited with a fellow MTF alumnus. It’s a step that signals more than ambition; it reflects a broader trend of young African creatives formalising their collaborations into structured businesses.
Instead of waiting to be hired, this generation is building platforms, producing independent projects, and positioning themselves as content owners. For Ogundeyi, projects like Threshold, which secured international festival selections, demonstrate how early-career filmmakers are combining artistic ambition with strategic distribution.
3. Local Roots, Global Exposure
His admission into the New York Film Academy’s Florence campus, fully funded by MultiChoice Talent Factory, is not a departure from African storytelling. Rather, it highlights the strength of MTF’s partnership with NYFA, which is designed to expand international exposure for African filmmakers while strengthening industry links between Nollywood and Hollywood.
The collaboration reflects a broader vision: equip African creatives with world-class training while keeping their storytelling perspectives rooted in local realities. For Ogundeyi, the opportunity provides access to new techniques, wider networks and global industry insight at a relatively early stage in his career.
Mentorship has also played a critical role in shaping his trajectory. During his time at MTF, Ogundeyi was guided by established figures including Tunde Kelani, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Linus Abraham and Jess Castellote of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. That combination of structured training and active industry mentorship helped build a foundation strong enough to compete beyond national borders.
A Career Still in Motion
It is easy to focus on the highlights, Best Graduating Student, AMVCA winner, and international film school admission. But what stands out more is the pattern: consistent output, cross-functional growth, and deliberate career building within two years of graduation.
Ogundeyi’s story is not just about individual achievement. It signals how the African film industry is evolving, with clearer training pathways, stronger award platforms, expanding festival circuits, and young filmmakers who see no contradiction between being local and being global.
With the backing of MultiChoice Talent Factory’s global training pipeline and its partnership-driven bridge between Nollywood and Hollywood, Ogundeyi’s next phase in Florence represents more than personal progress. It reflects a growing ecosystem intentionally preparing African filmmakers for international relevance.
If this is what the first two years after graduation can look like, the next decade of African cinema may well be defined by filmmakers who are trained, versatile, business-minded, and internationally connected, yet firmly committed to telling stories rooted in their own realities.
Segun Samuel Ogundeyi is one of them.
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