As part of the buildup to the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa Magic and MultiChoice hosted Young Filmmakers’ Day, an inspiring platform designed to mentor and celebrate the next generation of African storytellers. Held in Lagos on Thursday, the event gathered budding filmmakers, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) alumni, and industry stakeholders for a day of learning, collaboration, and community.
This year’s edition focused on “Sound in Filmmaking,” a masterclass facilitated by Shawn Butler, an acclaimed sound engineer and producer whose portfolio spans award-winning African and international productions.
“Sound is more than just pushing a button; it is about shaping emotion and enhancing storytelling,” Butler said. “The way a character breathes, the silence between words, the soundscape of a scene, all of that influence how the audience connect with the story. I wanted to help these creatives start listening like storytellers, not just technicians.”
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The session explored practical microphone techniques, on-set professionalism, post-production workflows, and the critical role of audio in shaping cinematic meaning. Butler also emphasized collaboration across departments.
“You cannot isolate sound from story. Working closely with directors, DPs, and editors ensures the audio landscape supports the emotional arc of the film,” he emphasized.
Drawing a historical parallel, Shawn Butler reminded the audience of the foundational role of audio. “While visuals are crucial, before pictures, we listened to stories on the radio, where sound effects and other audio elements built the environment. Then sound came to movies. Now, globally, sound is recognized as ingenious.” Addressing a key area for improvement in African filmmaking, Butler noted, “From an outsider’s perspective, some of the issues we face aren’t in the visuals but in the sound. I need to address some of these things now. No one wants to watch a movie where the audio seems delayed. The sound must be synchronized. Footstep sounds need to match the action precisely.” He then delved into the fundamentals of “location sound,” defining it as “the audio you capture on set, the room tone, the dialogue, and sometimes even music and other necessary elements recorded on location.” He stressed the importance of sound directors being involved early in the production process. “When you are a sound director on a production, you should be part of the production scout, or location scout. Your input is valuable. Don’t let producers say they don’t need you, because they very much do, just like they need the Director of Photography and other producers. You are the one who can identify potential sound issues with a location.” He provided concrete examples, such as dealing with generator noise and passing trains, emphasizing the need for proactive planning.
The day’s discussions gained a crucial personal dimension with the insights of Olufisayo Solaja, a dedicated sound recordist and audio mixer. Drawing from her experiences as a woman in a field often perceived as male-dominated, Solaja shared encounters with bias. “I think my biggest surprise on set was when I was introduced as the sound recordist, and someone asked, ‘Oh, where is he?’ I was standing right in front of the producer! The producer then asked, ‘Oh, is it she?’ And then I have had someone say directly to my face, ‘Can she do it?’ I just thought, okay, we will see. I don’t need to say anything, I will just show you what I am capable of,” she noted.
“I think those stereotypical assumptions have been the biggest surprises for me”.
Far from being discouraged by these stereotypes, Solaja explained that they ignited her ambition to not only meet but exceed expectations, determined to prove her detractors wrong. Her advice to aspiring young female recordists was to maintain unwavering focus on their aspirations and pursue their dreams, refusing to allow anyone to undermine their potential.
Earlier, the day began with a short film by the most recent MTF cohort, showcasing their creativity and growth during the year-long training programme. In her welcome remarks, Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, underscored the broader mission behind the event.
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“Young Filmmakers’ Day is more than tick-boxing,” Tejumola said. “It is about transferring lived experience. You can learn in a classroom, but real wisdom often comes from direct mentorship and shared challenges. That is what today is about, reminding young creatives that every element, especially sound, contributes to powerful storytelling.”
Ten early registrants received complimentary goody bags, while a lively movie soundtrack trivia challenge saw two lucky guests win tickets to the AMVCA Awards Night.
A standout moment was the introduction of FilmMaker Mart, a new creative production company founded by MTF alumni, Eric Kafui Okyerefo, Chioma Paul-Dike, Victor Awotidebe, and Igho Arusi. The company was introduced by their marketing manager, Oluwaseun Lawal, and is a testament to the MTF’s impact in empowering alumni to build sustainable careers in the film industry.
Young Filmmakers’ Day is one of several industry events ahead of the AMVCA 2025 finale, alongside Cultural Night on May 9, and the AMVCA Awards Night on May 10, which will air live across Africa on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv from 4:00 PM WAT (Red Carpet) and 7:00 PM WAT (Main Show).
The MultiChoice Talent Factory continues to be a beacon for African creatives, championing skill development, mentorship, and innovation in storytelling across the continent.
