Sahara Group’s ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneurs’ competition has produced 20 finalists following rigorous screening of over 150 docu-film entries by celebrated Nigerian movie producer and director, Kunle Afolayan.

Describing the screening process as “nostalgic and indicative of a bright future for the film industry,” Afolayan said he swelled with pride all through exercise, reassured that Nigerian youths will always rise to the occasion – when given the right platforms.

“We saw everything we were looking out for in good measure; overall film-making capability, style of storytelling, subject matter interpretation, audio and visual quality, aesthetics as well as understanding of the perspective of a story. This has been a hugely successful project for Sahara Group and my team and we are confident that many success stories will emerge from these film makers.”

Powered by the Sahara Foundation, ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneuers’ is a novel initiative designed to provide a hub for budding film makers to hone their skills through collaboration and access to shared expertise.

Unveiled in June 2016, the competition required young film makers to create 15-minute documentaries that capture and celebrate entrepreneurs at work across the nation, using the theme: My Nigeria, My Platform…Nigeria through an entrepreneur’s eyes.

The shortlisted 20 finalists include: Albert Adeshoga, Iniabasi Udosen, Babtunde Oyewunmi, Heaven Kalu, Azeez Hussein, Onome Egba, Dorothy Njemanze, Ashkay Makar, David Medugu and Alabi Kayode. Others are: Jude Dare, Efe Edosio, Joseph Duke, Oluwatobi Yeye, Hamed Adedeji, Georg Nakanda, Chineye Balogun, Ezekiah Balogun, Daniel Ecwalu and Victor Enam.

Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, said the project reinforces the company’s commitment to facilitating sustainable development through entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.

 “We received amazing entries including one from Uganda. The riveting stories of entrepreneurs whose businesses were showcased in the entries underpin our confidence in a better future for Nigeria.

Sahara is proud of these 20 finalists – the number 20 is commemorative of our 20th anniversary this year – and we look forward to the emergence of the ultimate winner. Most definitely these young entrepreneurs will be the next big names in the film industry.”

Obioma added: “We are also confident that our extrapreneurship platform will create opportunities for funding, advisory and sundry alliances for the businesses highlighted in the docu-films.”

In addition to promoting and sustaining growth in the arts, the project seeks to shape a positive narrative about Nigeria that highlights our enterprise and productivity as a people.

The overall winner – who will soon be unveiled – will undergo a mentorship programme with Kunle Afolayan for six months.

Sahara Foundation is the Corporate Responsibility vehicle of Sahara Group, Africa’s leading power, energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over eight (8) countries across four (4) continents.

Over the next four years, Sahara Foundation plans to directly impact 12,000,000 beneficiaries and also create value through the identification, development and maintenance of relevant stakeholders through which beneficiaries can grow and sustain businesses.

This will be achieved through skills acquisition training, mentoring and access to a network of committed stakeholders.