Why Every Filmmaker Should Think Like a Startup Founder
September 19, 2025
Lagos, Nigeria — September 28, 2025
The time finally came for the August–September 2025 cohort of Del-York Creative Academy (DCA) to step into the spotlight. The grand graduation showcase, held in Lagos on September 28th, marked the culmination of six weeks of intensive, hands-on training across multiple creative disciplines.
For over a decade, Del-York Creative Academy has stood at the center of Africa’s creative awakening. More than just a school, it is a launchpad where raw talent is sharpened into global-standard skill and a generation of storytellers is empowered to carry Africa’s voice onto the world stage.
Mrs. Uzo Orimalade, Head of Brand and Business Development at Del-York Group, delivered the welcome speech on behalf of the Founder of DCA and Group CEO of Del-York Group, Mr. Linus Idahosa. In her opening remarks, she congratulated all graduating students, acknowledged the guests, and promised that it would be “a graduation to remember.” She was right.
The event was hosted by Dauda Kelvin, a graduating student, Mrs. Promise Jones, Project Manager at DCA, alongside Jubril XII Tijjani (Twelve). Together, they carried the audience through a vibrant evening of recognition, creativity, and celebration.
Over the course of the program, students were promised six weeks of rigorous, hands-on learning, and through testimonies and showcases, they echoed their satisfaction that the promise was fully kept.
The curriculum spanned six core courses: Acting for Film and TV, Cinematography and Set Lighting, Filmmaking and Directing, Screenwriting for Film and TV, Post Production and Editing, and Producing and the Business of Filmmaking.
Each course was led by seasoned instructors who brought their wealth of professional experience into the classroom.
The graduation showcase reflected the depth of this experience. The evening featured a music video and screenings of short films that highlighted technical and creative excellence across disciplines. Each presentation carried the mark of training that emphasized both vision and execution. Soon, their collective works will be showcased on our official YouTube channel—an opportunity for a global audience to see firsthand the vision, skill, and creativity that defined this graduating class.
Graduate testimonies added a personal dimension to the celebration. Students spoke of how the program refined raw passion into skill, reshaped their understanding of the industry, and gave them confidence to take their place in the global creative ecosystem. One student described the experience as “getting my money’s worth and an amazing experience.” Another reflected that she entered with little knowledge of filmmaking but emerged with the tools to tell powerful stories. The sentiment was the same: the Academy delivered on its promise.
The highlight of the evening was the handing out of a Diploma certificate accredited by the NBTE, a moment of pride and fulfillment for both students and faculty. Each graduating student received their certificate directly from the instructors who had guided them through the six weeks of intensive training — a symbolic passing of the torch from mentor to mentee, and a reminder that their journey into the creative industry had only just begun.
The graduates, as well as all in attendance, were reminded that Del-York Creative Academy is more than a school for technical training; it is about vision, courage, and the power to tell Africa’s story on the global stage.
And as the lights dimmed, the photo sessions concluded, and the networking drew to a close, one sentiment resonated through the halls: It was indeed a graduation to remember.
