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MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student of 2023, Samuel Oluwasegun Ogundeyi, will continue his creative journey at the New York Film Academy in Florence, Italy, on a fully funded scholarship provided by MTF. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in a career already defined by versatility, discipline, and award-winning storytelling.
The scholarship is part of an ongoing partnership between MTF and the New York Film Academy, designed to strengthen global exposure for emerging African filmmakers while building meaningful creative and industry connections between Nollywood and Hollywood.
A director, cinematographer, and storyteller, Ogundeyi has steadily built a portfolio that demonstrates both range and creative leadership. His directorial debut, Her Dark Past, earned top recognition by winning the MTF category at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA), validating the promise he displayed during his training at MTF.
Since graduating, Ogundeyi has continued to expand his creative footprint across multiple formats and genres. As Director of Photography on the short film Threshold, he contributed to a project that secured selections at both the Ibadan Indie Film Awards and the Malabo International Film Festival 2025. He directed Bridging Hope, a documentary produced for Drug Aid Africa, demonstrating his ability to craft compelling narratives for social impact. His commercial work includes directing the Máadán Lipgloss launch campaign, bringing cinematic sensibility to branded content. Currently, his cinematography work on Transparent Boy is in post-production, with festival submissions anticipated.
Beyond individual projects, Ogundeyi's MTF experience yielded lasting professional partnerships. In June 2024, he co-founded NINE NINE Productions Limited with a fellow MTF graduate, transforming their collaboration on Threshold into a sustainable creative enterprise.
Reflecting on his formative years at MTF, Ogundeyi credits the mentorship of industry leaders, including Tunde Kelani, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Linus Abraham, and Jess Castellote of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, as foundational influences that continue to shape both his craft and creative philosophy.
"Storytelling is connection. It is expression, impact, and community," Ogundeyi says. "My mission is to tell African stories that are nuanced, human, and real, stories that remind us of who we are."
His acceptance to the New York Film Academy’s Florence campus reflects not only personal advancement but also the continued success of MultiChoice Talent Factory’s global training pipeline. Through its partnership-driven approach, MTF continues to create pathways that position African filmmakers for international relevance while keeping their storytelling rooted in authentic local perspectives.
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