WIMPRO International Film Academy, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has opened to serve aspiring film entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta.

Founded by Wisdom Isaac and with renowned filmmaker Obi Emelonye as its pioneer rector, WIMPRO will provide affordable, hands-on training in areas including scriptwriting, directing, content creation, AI filmmaking, cinematography, lighting, and film editing.

Unveiling the academy alongside players in Nollywood, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described it as an investment in the future of African cinema.

She assured of her ministry’s support for such job-creating projects that would also expand the frontiers of Nigeria’s creative economy in line with the Federal Government’s goals.

Musawa said, “The official launch of WIMPRO International Film Academy is an important investment in the future of Nigerian and African cinema. The Academy is creating a platform where aspiring filmmakers can gain practical, industry-relevant skills and prepare for careers in an increasingly competitive global film industry.

“I commend the founder, Mr Wisdom Isaac, the founding Rector, Dr Obi Emelonye, and all the partners who have brought this vision to life. WIMPRO is a strong example of what is possible when government and the private sector unite to invest in people, skills, and the future of our creative economy.”

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Speaking about his vision for the academy, Isaac said it will not be just another film school. “I envisioned it to be the very best. To achieve that, we needed the best of facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and a world-class teaching team drawn from international practitioners and the best of Nollywood,” he said.

Our campus in the GRA of Port Harcourt, equipped with air-conditioned classrooms that can accommodate more than 500 students, a fully equipped sound stage, a screening theatre, an actors’ studio, and a 25-unit editing suite with the most up-to-date hardware and software.

“Additionally, we have a 200-capacity hostel facility for students coming from outside of Port Harcourt. When it comes to our teaching staff, we have endeavoured to distinguish ourselves from other film school offerings in Nigeria. From choosing the Rector of the academy, Dr Obi Emelonye, I have been intentional in my strategy to offer our students the very best available globally. Our teachers and facilitators are global practitioners from the UK, US and South Africa. Our curriculum was designed in conjunction with Goldsmiths, University of London, a UK institution of excellence which will ultimately accredit our certificates.”