The Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication has received a studio equipment donation from the Elba Hope Foundation to boost film and TV production.

The gesture, undertaken by the international charity founded by acclaimed Hollywood actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, is expected to unlock Africa’s creative potential.

For students at UniMAC-IFT, the news was a dream unfolding right before their eyes. High-end cameras, cinema lenses, lights, monitors, and post-production accessories, the kind usually reserved for big-budget film sets, have now been provided to help them in their daily training as soon-to-be film directors and producers.

The story behind this donation traces back to an earlier visit by Idris Elba to the Cantonments campus to watch a student film dubbed “Ebu.”

During that visit, Elba shared his belief that Africa’s next global storytellers are already in Ghana and are only waiting for the right tools. He promised to support the institute, and months later, that promise has taken physical form in sleek equipment cases and glowing monitors.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Foundation, Madam Mariam Kaleem Agyeman-Buahin of Akuna Group Ghana explained, “This is part of our wider commitment to education and employability across Africa. We see creative industries as a powerful pathway for economic development, innovation, and cultural leadership.”

For Rector Prof. Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi, the donation is not just about hardware; it’s about faith. “This is an investment in the future of creative education,” he said. “It is an act of confidence in UniMAC-IFT’s role as the cradle of film and television excellence in Ghana.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah echoed the sentiment, calling it both timely and transformational. 

He underlined how the facilities, paired with UniMAC’s drive to integrate Artificial Intelligence into film training, place students on par with their global peers.

“This is not only an investment in UniMAC but also in the dreams and aspirations of countless young Africans,” he stated.

Students themselves describe the moment as a turning point. Some had only ever worked with borrowed or outdated gear. Now, they can master their craft with the same tools used on professional sets worldwide.

Formerly known as NAFTI, UniMAC-IFT has trained filmmakers for nearly five decades, with alumni shaping Ghana’s creative landscape and making their mark internationally. This donation marks yet another leap forward and proof that when promises are kept, possibilities expand.

As the Elba Hope Foundation continues championing youth empowerment through education and creative expression, its partnership with UniMAC-IFT stands as a reminder of what can happen when hope translates into action and when Africa’s stories are given the stage, tools, and confidence they deserve.