UNLEASH YOUR CHILD’S CREATIVITY.
July 14, 2022
DEL-YORK CREATIVE ACADEMY TO COMMENCE TRAINING IN OCTOBER 2022
July 20, 2022
There’s always a striking beginning. A dream that births a great idea. A mind that journeys to the future with a specific purpose and returns to the present to solve a problem by unraveling the mysteries of the future. There’s the passion that fuels vision and then the pain of execution. The droves of minds converging to bring this dream to reality, fostering a collective sense of hope as they launch into the world to showcase their burgeoning potential and bring Hollywood to our doorsteps. For over a decade, the Del-York Creative Academy (DCA) has blossomed into a renowned African Filmmaking Institute. The vision of CHANGING THE NARRATIVE has been a reckoning force in establishing and training young African creatives for global impact and increased participation within the creative economy. DCA welcomed its latest cohort of 2022 students.
On the 10th of July 2022, the Del-York Creative Academy Lagos proudly presented their end-of-program Industry Showcase – New Faces of Film in Nigeria, themed Changing The Narrative.
The event was held at Del-York Creative Academy Campus in Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria Island, where this year’s graduates actively took up exciting roles. Ifeanyi Micheal and Amadi Favour Chimburoma, students from the Acting and Film Program, hosted the occasion. In attendance was a blend of students, instructors and staff of the Academy. The doors were flung open to welcome distinguished guests, alumni, film agents, industry participants, casting directors, and the Founder/president of Del-York Creative Academy, Mr Linus Idahosa.
The program started with a warm and receptive welcome speech from Mr Housely. He highlighted the exciting journey of the Academy’s performance since its inaugural program in 2010 and urged the students to purposely become the change the world needs as the Del-York Creative Academy would always be proud of them as they surge forward as creative professionals in the industry. Student performances showcased collaboration projects produced across graduating departments of DCA; Acting, Filmmaking, Cinematography, Production, the Business of Filmmaking, Post-production and Digital Marketing/Film Production in live scenes and short films written, directed and produced by the June 2022 batch.
Guests were thrilled by the displays of various presentations, each produced by the graduating students of the Academy as part of their required course work. The movies displayed were student-driven. Episode after episode created a cinematic feel as the three projects entertained the audience. These student-directed film series, including The Interrogator, The Artisan and Bad Company, showed guests the tremendous level of effort, brilliance and creativity put in by the DCA students during their training. This moment erupted a rapturous delight and overwhelming emotions for the students as this was a rare opportunity and experience for most of them to watch themselves on the big screen for the first time. The Content Creation and Digital Marketing Class also produced TV mini commercials for Sponsors from Ritefoods. The Music Videos and other notable works were all a collective effort by the students.
The ceremony took an exciting turn when the President of the Del-York Creative Academy, Mr Linus Idahosa, shared an engaging moment with the students and encouraged them to strive for excellence. In his words, “We are at a precarious time as a country where creatives have answers to change the game. You can do more, change the game with the knowledge gained, amplify your voice and strive to showcase excellence.”
He also patronized their enthusiasm by awarding the Best Film Category for the night with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000). Bad Company is a comedic silent film about three artisans who attempt to rob an art gallery. The short was written by DCA student Mary Agholor, directed and produced by students- Members of the winning team are Director: Jubril ‘XII’ Tijjani, 1st AD: Ruby Ojediran, Producer: Iveoma Okpareake, Director of Photography: Bolutife Atejunkanna, Actors: Favour Chimburoma Amadi, Mayowa Aderoju, Bibopiribo Dokubo-Wizzdom, Emmanuel Chukwudi Achonwa, and Ajayi Mary Oluwapelumi. The Best Film award was decided by an open ballot done by the audience. Mr Linus fuelled their energies to do more in the industry as he raised the bar with another sum of five hundred thousand naira, with the following terms and conditions: The best student-directed films would have to be reshot into world-class films with top-class production, and visual quality. These teams would receive full support from Del-York International, a PR firm and sister company to DCA. Furthermore, an exemplary and worthy note of Mr Grant Housley was given, appreciating his 12 years of commitment, championing skill gaps in the industry, his diligence and outstanding performance to the growth of the Academy. Mr Housely was appointed Executive Director on the board of Del-York, to the amazement of all present.
The DCA showcase ceremony came to a glorious finish as certificates were accorded to the students and awards to the well-deserved. The VP-operations, Serah Donald Onyeachor, gave a vote of thanks and supported the encouraging message to students from the President.
The Del-York Academy is a formation process for the students to learn, unlearn, and develop their crafts in the filmmaking journey and thus be great ambassadors in their diverse careers in the industry.
Here is what alumni and students had to say about the experience at the DCA:
“Del-York Creative academy is an unforgettable opportunity filled with growth, wisdom and laughter that ignites a path towards success.”
“Del-York Creative Academy brought Hollywood to our Doorposts.”
—Uzo O. Osimkpa, Acting For Film, alumni 2019, Actress, Love is War on Netflix
“DCA gave me a camera. It gave me purpose.’
—Stan Nze Acting For Film, AMVCA Best Actor in a Drama-Winner (2022) RattleSnake
This showcase represented the most promising from the New Programs, who graduated from June 2022 through July 2022. You can check out their headshots, resumes and demo reels. Click on the DCA Alumni portal https://dcaalumni.com/.
