{
  "id": 7742921,
  "title": "Sissako, Odugbemi, Others to Converge as KAP-SOPA Bootcamp Ends",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/sissako-odugbemi-others-to-converge-as-kap-sopa-bootcamp-ends",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T08:27:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/16/sissako-odugbemi-others-to-converge-as-kap-sopa-bootcamp-ends/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned filmmakers Iyke Bede Oscar nominee Abderrahmane Sissako, Nigerian media entrepreneur Femi Odugbemi, film curator Keith Shiri, and international producer Virginie Besson-Silla are convening at Kunle Afolayan Productions (KAP) Film Village and Resort in Oyo State for the conclusion of the KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp. Spanning from September 17 to 19, the three-day event marks the graduation of 20 Beninese filmmakers after a 12-week program jointly organized by Kunle Afolayan's KAP Film and Television Academy and Benin's government via its audio-visual agency, SOPA. The program initially focused on four weeks of theoretical training in Cotonou, followed by an eight-week practical production residency at KAP Film Village in Nigeria. These participants are set to premiere short films they created during their residency as part of the graduation ceremony. The assembly is anticipated to bring together filmmakers, government officials, diplomats, and cultural leaders from Nigeria, Benin, and other African nations, fostering an environment for professional exchange and dialogue on the advancement of the African film industry. Kunle Afolayan, founder of KAP Group, emphasized the program's objective to transcend borders, stating, \"This program was conceptualized to transcend borders. By merging Beninese artistic heritage with Nigeria's strong production ecosystem, we are nurturing a generation of filmmakers who view the continent as a unified canvas.\" The bootcamp addresses concerns over skills and infrastructure gaps within Africa's rapidly growing creative sector. By integrating classroom training with hands-on production experience, the program exposes participants to both filmmaking techniques and the practical aspects of production. The gathering will also serve as a platform for KAP Group to unveil ITAN, The Screen Gathering and Awards, a proposed annual Pan-African film conference slated to launch in 2027. This platform will unite filmmakers, producers, distributors, exhibitors, investors, policymakers, academics, and cultural institutions to discuss topics such as film financing, distribution, policy harmonization, and technological advancements. The graduation of the 20 participants signifies the end of the first KAP-SOPA bootcamp and the beginning of ongoing discussions on how cross-border collaborations can enhance skills, professional networks, and cooperation within African cinema.",
  "summary": "Iyke Bede Oscar-nominated filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, Nigerian filmmaker and media entrepreneur Femi Odugbemi, film curator Keith Shiri and international producer Virginie Besson-Silla are among leading industry figures converging at Kunle",
  "key_points": [
    "Renowned filmmakers convene at KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp",
    "20 Beninese filmmakers graduate after 12-week program",
    "Event to unveil ITAN, The Screen Gathering and Awards"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}