As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation among African countries, and provide a catalyst for the growth of the arts and entertainment sector of the continent, M.K Casting, the African Chamber of Content Producers and the National Film authority of Ghana launched the Africa Monologue Challenge in Ghana on 5th April 2022. The final event will be held in Ghana in May, 2023

The Africa Monologue Challenge is an initiative of MK Casting, Ghana's premiere and astute casting company, with casing credit from award-winning projects such as Beasts of No Nation, Black Earth Rising, Azali, Treadstone, Borga, Aloevera, Terminus and many more.

Speaking to Mawuko Kuadzi, CEO of MK casting, he disclosed that the intention behind the Africa Monologue Challenge is to match the standard of performances in Hollywood with existing or emerging African talents and position them strategically for global roles.

"Several black actors and actresses are doing very well in Hollywood, some of them started right here in Africa before getting to the global stage. I believe if we continue to create such platforms for the many talented actors in Africa, we can increase our stake in global entertainment revenue. This will translate into job creation for many talented youths in Africa” he revealed.

The African Chamber of Content Producers also expressed their desire to use projects such as the African Monologue Challenge to shape the narratives of Africa towards strong cultural diversity, peaceful coexistence, and economic transformation for the African Continent.

In an interview with Phil Efe Benard, an Executive Director of the African Chamber of Content Producer and a judge of the Monologue Challenge, he revealed the plans of the chamber to use the ten finalists to produce an African movie that will have a Pan-African theme. He also revealed plans to make the winner of the Africa Monologue Challenge an ambassador of intra-African trade.

“The top ten finalists have excited the judges with different monologues for over ten months that the competition has been running. All four hundred competitors were phenomenal, but at the end of the day, we could only have ten finalists and one eventual winner. I urge all African organizations and businesses to be part of this project”, he stated.

BRIEF PROFILES OF THE TOP TEN FINALISTS

Refilwe Maitisa is a South African artist who has spent years performing, training and honing her acting, singing & modelling skills in both South Africa and the USA. She graduated as the top student at New York University (NYU), Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama in 2021. She also earned her Associate Degree in Theater at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles in 2018.

Rose Okeke is a writer, actor, and filmmaker from Nigeria. She started acting at a young age in her school's theatre productions. She started making and starring in her short films in 2021 and has been a part of three movies ever since.

Nyokabi Macharia, is a Kenyan actress, singer and director based in Nairobi, Kenya. She trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama pursuing her MA in Musical Theatre. She has performed at the Kenya National Theatre, the New Victory Theatre in New York, Club Silly and Theatre 503 both in London. Her first TV role in 2019 was as Zawadi in MaEmpress.

Stycie Waweru is a thirteen years old Kenyan Actress, Voice Artist and TV Host. She was born and brought up in a small village in Central Kenya. Her acting bug did not hit her until when she played JO' the lead character in the award-winning film Supa Modo.

Lauren Akosia is a young British Ghanaian Actress. She trained at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London on the MA Acting programme and is also a member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

Rachael Nduhukire is a 20-year-old Ugandan Actress. She is a passionate and committed actress- with the ability to manoeuvre any role, by convincingly portraying a character. She has acted in movies like Journey to Jamaa (2010) and I found my Way (2012). She has also acted in Television series roles like # Family, and Sanyu.

Brian Angels is a Ghanaian actor and producer who starred in“Farewell to The Wind” which had its world premiere at Durban International Film Festival. He is a lead actor in the remake of the classic Ghanaian detective Television series, Inspector Bediako for Akwaaba Magic. He worked with Game of Thrones actor Tom Wlaschiha on a project directed by Rick Ostermann, a German Director and featured in the movie Beast of No Nation featuring Idris Elba.

Kennedy Jim Edinam Parku, known popular in the showbiz circle as Kenny Jim Parku (JPK) is an award-winning Ghanaian Model and Actor. He holds a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Public Relations. Kenny has had the privilege to work on projects like Dede, Khutam, Uncharted Path, The Storm, Solutions, Till Sunset and a host of others,

Hasheem Said Bakary AKA Habiby Malaika is a twenty-seven-year-old Tanzanian actor. He has a bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy in Dar es Salaam. He is known for Uhuru Una Gharama Zake, a TV series by Pilipili Entertainment Limited and Jua Kali TV series by Lamata Village Entertainment.

Jeromy Mumba is a Zambian actor, MC and rapper. He has featured in theatre productions written by amazing Zambian writers and won multiple awards in theatre. One of the major awards was  ‘Best Actor’ of the whole Zambia in 2017 at the National Arts Theater Association of Zambia festivals.

According to the recent UNESCO report on the trend, challenges and opportunities for growth in the African Film Industry, about 5 million people currently work in the film sector in Africa, which contributes over $5 billion to the continent's GDP.

The panel of judges for the challenge consists of 9 industry professionals consisting of casting directors, directors and producers from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Germany, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.