By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Shoot Like A Pro Africa (SLAP Africa) has officially opened registration for its life-changing free cinematography and photography training program, aimed at empowering unemployed African youths with high-demand creative skills.
This is as the group targets to empower about 50,000 youths through the training by 2030, according to Jude Anyanwu, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Dove Resources, the initiator of the training programme, which is scheduled to be held on July 11, 2025, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
He said that over 230 young Africans had already trained and successfully working in the industry, SLAP Africa is now expanding its impact, targeting 50,000 trainees across Africa by 2030.
He explained that the reason for initiating the programme was to tackle youth unemployment through creativity saying; “Africa faces an alarming youth unemployment crisis, with millions of young people lacking opportunities to gain practical, income-generating skills. SLAP Africa was founded to bridge this gap by providing free training, mentorship, and startup support to aspiring photographers and filmmakers.
“Cinematography is one of the most lucrative creative industries today, with professionals earning up to ₦2 million per project. Yet, thousands of talented youths remain stuck in poverty due to lack of access to training”.
Anyanwu called for youth to take advantage of the opportunity and register for the programme, which started 7 years ago in 2018 and also called for well-meaning companies to support the project with sponsorship.
“The next cohort of trainees will undergo an intensive 6-week bootcamp, covering everything from camera operation and lighting to storytelling, editing, and production.
“To sustain and expand this 100% free initiative, SLAP Africa is calling on corporate sponsors, NGOs, and philanthropists to support the cause through funding, equipment donations, and mentorship opportunities.
“We are not just training creatives, we are building an army of young Africans who will tell our stories, create jobs, and shape the future of Africa’s film industry,” said Jude Anyanwu, Founder of SLAP Africa”, Anyanwu stated..
