The Story ⚡
In the heart of Port Harcourt, the Wimpro International Film Academy officially opened its doors, determined to turn aspiring storytellers into industry-ready professionals.
Tell Me More
The Wimpro International Film Academy launched its campus in a serene suburb of Oroazi, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, amid attendance by government officials, filmmakers, and industry stakeholders. The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Dr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, performed the ribbon-cutting and described the project as a significant investment in Nigerian and African cinema’s future.
Founded by Nwankpa Wisdom Isaac, a media entrepreneur, filmmaker, and convener of the Afrik International Film Festival, the academy builds on Wisdom Isaac Media Production (WIMPRO). The company has produced content focused on African stories, including films like The Creek. The institution’s roots trace back to 2018 in Lagos with initial editing facilities, followed by its first student cohort in 2019 and campus expansions featuring a soundstage and VR lab by 2021.
The academy emphasizes practical, hands-on training over pure theory. Programs typically run for three months of intensive instruction plus a three-month industry internship, covering areas such as cinematography, directing, producing, editing, sound, and lighting. Facilities include a main soundstage, edit suites, camera setups, and spaces for field training. It maintains a low student-teacher ratio and draws faculty from professionals with credits at festivals like TIFF, Sundance, and AMVCA. Projections suggest strong post-graduation employment outcomes, with some outstanding students offered immediate opportunities.
Leadership draws from established figures in Nollywood and African cinema. Obi Emelonye, PhD, serves as Rector. A Port Harcourt native, lawyer-turned-filmmaker, and academic, Emelonye has directed films such as Last Flight to Abuja, The Mirror Boy, and Onye Ozi. He holds a PhD from Goldsmiths, University of London, has lectured in the UK, and pioneered remote filmmaking techniques during the pandemic. His international experience and scholarly work on Nollywood position him to guide the academy’s curriculum toward global standards while centering African narratives.
Toka McBaror acts as Registrar, overseeing operations and student affairs. A prolific director, cinematographer, and producer with roots in Kaduna (originally from Delta State), McBaror has helmed commercially successful and award-winning projects including Lotanna (multiple Golden Movie Awards winner), The Island, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Kada River, and The Creek. His extensive credits and involvement in initiatives like the Afrik International Film Festival align with the academy’s focus on industry readiness.
The launch reflects broader efforts to develop creative skills in Nigeria’s economy. Port Harcourt gains a dedicated hub for talent incubation in Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by partnerships between private initiative and public stakeholders. The academy welcomes students regionally and internationally, with admissions open for its 2026 sessions.
Key Background
Nwankpa Wisdom Isaac, also known as Wisdom Isaac, is a Nigerian media entrepreneur, filmmaker, and cultural innovator with a notable footprint in the African creative industry. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wisdom Isaac Media Production (WIMPRO), a growing multimedia and film production company committed to crafting high-impact visual stories that capture African experiences and present them to local and global audiences. Under his leadership, WIMPRO has produced and executive-produced projects such as the Niger Delta drama The Creek, which addresses community resilience, oil exploration tensions, and social conflict. The company also runs a streaming platform to support distribution of its content.
Isaac’s work reflects a broader commitment to infrastructure and talent development in the sector. He established the Wimpro International Film Academy in Port Harcourt to address critical gaps in practical film education.
Complementing these efforts, Isaac created and convenes the Afrik International Film Festival (AIFF). This platform seeks to discover and empower emerging filmmakers across Africa through workshops, screenings, networking, and celebrations of authentic storytelling. Events are often hosted at the Wimpro campus, helping to position Port Harcourt as an emerging center for cinematic activity. He additionally serves as CEO of ABB Limited, a diversified enterprise involved in media, business development, and creative solutions.
Overall, Isaac is motivated by the desire to elevate African narratives on the world stage while building sustainable systems for the industry. His initiatives combine content production with education, mentorship of young creatives, and strategic partnerships. Through this integrated approach, he has become a key figure in strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and fostering long-term growth in African filmmaking.
In Summary
The opening of Wimpro International Film Academy in Port Harcourt represents a concrete step toward strengthening film education. By combining local vision with international perspectives, it seeks to prepare filmmakers who can produce work that resonates both at home and on global stages.
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