A new masterclass series aimed at strengthening skills and professional exchange within the African film industry has been launched in Lagos, with support from the British Council and Nile Entertainment.
The Action Xtreme Masterclass Series is designed to spotlight screen talent across Africa, beginning with actors and their experiences working within Nigeria’s film industry, with wider relevance for creatives across the continent.
The initiative will be hosted by Trevor Hakim of The New Black Film Collective and is expected to run over nine months, featuring a series of conversations focused on industry experience, craft and career development.
The first phase will centre on actors from the action thriller Son of the Soil, currently streaming on Netflix Africa, using the film as a reference point for discussions on performance, opportunity and global visibility.
Speaking at the launch, Action Xtreme CEO Chee Keong Cheung said the initiative is designed to create meaningful industry conversations that support emerging talent.
“This series is about knowledge-sharing, inspiration and visibility. By spotlighting actors working at the forefront of the Nigerian film industry, we want to create meaningful conversations that support emerging talent and celebrate the richness of African screen storytelling,” he said.
The British Council, which is supporting the initiative, said the programme aligns with its focus on skills development, professional standards and cultural exchange across creative industries.
Nile Media Entertainment Group also described the masterclass series as an important step in strengthening Africa’s film ecosystem and preparing talent for global opportunities.
Central to the programme is Son of the Soil, a UK–Nigeria co-production that has screened internationally and received multiple awards, including honors at the Black Star International Film Festival, Best of Nollywood Awards and the Audience Choice Award at AFRIFF.
Participants include Razaaq Adoti, Damilola Ogunsi, Ireti Doyle, Sunshine Rosman, Taye Arimoro, Philip Asaya, Emeka Golden, Sharon Rotimi and newcomer Ijelu Folajimi.
Rather than traditional panel discussions, the sessions are structured as open conversations focusing on acting techniques, auditions, self-tapes, script interpretation, on-set collaboration and building sustainable careers in a fast-paced industry.
The discussions will also explore broader themes such as personal branding, visibility in the digital era, diaspora representation and the growing global reach of African cinema.
The initiative is being positioned as a platform with wider African relevance, with potential opportunities for collaboration and skills development across markets such as Ghana, Nigeria and beyond.
Organisers say the actor-focused sessions mark the first phase of a wider initiative, with future editions expected to spotlight directors, producers and crew across the film value chain.
