What this life looks like
You are the energy that keeps productions moving. Film and video production assistants work on the sets of films, television programmes, commercials, and music videos — supporting directors, producers, and department heads with the hundreds of tasks that turn creative visions into screen reality. It is the entry point into Africa's booming screen industries — Nollywood, Ghollywood, South African television, and the growing East African film sector — where careers are built through demonstrated reliability, energy, and willingness to learn.
What she actually does
You support departments across a film set — from the camera and lighting departments to the art department, wardrobe, and catering — assisting with equipment, organising logistics, running errands, relaying communications between departments, assisting with continuity, managing extras, setting up locations, and doing whatever is needed to keep production on schedule and within budget. You observe everything, learn constantly, and build the experience and relationships that lead to more senior production roles.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Film Productions | Feature films and short films across Nollywood, Ghollywood, South African film industry, and East African productions |
| Television Production | African TV drama, reality shows, and documentary production — consistent employment for production assistants |
| Commercial Production | Advertising and music video production — often better-resourced and faster-paced than film sets |
| Streaming Platforms | Netflix Africa, ShowMax productions — growing investment in African original content creating new production jobs |
Why it matters in Africa
Nollywood produces over 2,500 films annually — making it the world's third-largest film industry by output. South Africa's commercial production sector is one of Africa's most technically sophisticated. Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia's film industries are growing rapidly. The entire screen production industry runs on production assistants — there are never enough good ones — and entry-level production work is one of the most direct pathways into careers across the full spectrum of film and television production.
Your pathway in
- Study your target film industry: watch extensively, attend film festivals, and develop knowledge of the key production companies, directors, and producers working in your country's film sector
- Volunteer on student or low-budget productions: most film industries have a pipeline of student films and independent productions that welcome enthusiastic volunteers — these are your training ground
- Develop practical skills that are useful on set: driving, catering, first aid, IT support, and physical fitness all make you more useful as a production assistant
- Connect with the film industry community in your city: film schools, production companies, and industry associations are the networks through which production work is found
- Be indispensable: production assistants who are reliable, positive, fast, and proactive get called back repeatedly and progress faster than those who are merely competent
Skills you will need
- On-set communication and coordination
- Physical organisation and logistics
- Initiative and problem-solving under pressure
- Understanding of production departments and their needs
- Time management and schedule adherence
- Professional discretion and reliability
A woman in this field
Kemi Adetiba
Nigeria
Kemi is a Nigerian filmmaker and director who built her career from music video director to feature film director — creating 'The Wedding Party' (2016), Nigeria's highest-grossing film at the time of its release, and 'King of Boys' (2018), one of Nollywood's most critically acclaimed films. She began her career working in television and music video production, developing the industry knowledge and network that supported her eventual transition to directing at the highest level. Her career demonstrates the pathway from production roles — where the industry is learned from the inside — to directing as one of Africa's most celebrated filmmakers. Young women entering production can aspire to the creative leadership Kemi exemplifies.
Take your first step
- Watch Nollywood and African cinema extensively — 'The Wedding Party' and 'King of Boys' by Kemi Adetiba, 'Lionheart' by Genevieve Nnaji, and Kenyan films like 'Supa Modo' are excellent starting points — studying films you want to be part of making is the first education
- Find your nearest film school, film club, or filmmaking community and attend: student productions, short film competitions, and local filmmaking groups are where entry-level production experience is built
- Volunteer on any production you can access: student films, web series, community video projects, and commercial productions all build the practical skills and relationships that professional production work requires
- Research the production companies active in your country's film industry and identify which ones accept interns or production assistant applications — many Nollywood and South African production companies do take structured applications from interested beginners