The inaugural edition of the Africa Content Festival took place over the weekend at the Ouida Sunroom facility in Lagos, gathering filmmakers, writers, animators, and journalists. According to Premium Times, the event included masterclasses, film screenings, and pitching sessions intended to connect emerging talent with established industry professionals. The programme focused on practical aspects of the creative industry, such as audience engagement, distribution, and monetisation, rather than just content production.
Seun Adeleye, co-founder of the festival, told Premium Times that the initiative was established to offer a recurring space for young artists to advance their professional paths. He explained that the organisers had previously run training via their group, Shoot Your Shot Africa, at various Lagos institutions, but desired a more permanent venue for collaboration. Adeleye noted that the first edition was financed through personal funds and supporter contributions, describing the path from concept to execution as difficult. He emphasised that the goal was to assist participants in clarifying their objectives and aligning their career choices with their ambitions.
Adebisi Peters, the other co-founder, stated that the festival forms part of the organisation’s fifth-anniversary activities. He noted that while the group has educated over 5,040 young individuals in media and creative disciplines, many graduates still struggle to gain visibility. Peters cited examples of former trainees now working with television stations like Silverbird or holding positions on the National Film and Video Censors Board. The organisation has also gained recognition from the National Board for Technical Education and was tasked by the Federal Ministry of Education to train an additional 80 young people.
The festival was conceived as a pan-African initiative, not limited to Nigeria. Adeleye said future editions would involve participants from nations such as Kenya and South Africa and might be hosted elsewhere in Africa. The organisers are currently seeking partnerships with government agencies and private-sector bodies to expand the festival’s reach. Their long-term ambition is for the beneficiaries to become industry leaders and mentors who support the next generation of African creatives, ensuring that talent translates into sustainable businesses.