Touching base: New African documentary on MTV Base

Starting 6 June 2011, Touching Base (MTV Base, DStv Channel 322) is a new documentary series that will highlight talented young individuals from across Africa. Taking the form of inspiring and beautifully-crafted two-minute documentaries, Touching Base shines a light on Africa’s new wave of creative entrepreneurs, spotlighting impressive game-changers from across the continent who are trailblazing in the fields of photography, fashion, illustration, art, filmmaking, music and more.

Shot on location in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, Touching Base follows some of Africa’s most inspirational young entrepreneurs including:

Clarence Peters – One of the most recognized music video makers in Nigeria and a passionate filmmaker with exceptional talent, Clarence studied film in South Africa for two years before returning to Nigeria to change the music video game forever. He has worked long and hard to increase the production quality of the music videos coming out of Lagos and is now the “go-to” guy for video production in Nigeria.

Cyrus Kabiru – The cool Kenyan artist behind C-Stunners, spectacular glasses-cum-artworks made from recycled materials. Cyrus started making C-Stunners when he was a kid and now can’t stop.

Bolaji – After attending film school in Los Angeles, Bolaji returned to Lagos with a mission to shake up the Nollywood film industry. Focusing on Nigerian stories, Bolaji recently finished production on his first short film – a supernatural thriller called “nkiru”, shot on a mysterious island just off the Lagos coastline.

Jimmy Chuchu – Renaissance man Jimmy Chuchu is an I.T. dude who taught himself graphic design, went into advertising, felt it would steal his soul, borrowed money from his brother to buy a camera and then became a brilliant photographer! At the same time, Jimmy and two friends from college started Kenya’s first ever electro-pop outfit, called it “Just a Band” and got themselves signed to an American label. Jimmy subsequently moved into motion picture and now creates all the band’s music videos together with one of the band’s other members.

Bayo – This Nigerian fashion designer originally designed under the label Onyx and Pearl but is currently launching a movement/label in Lagos called the Orange Movement. A self-confessed member of the “cool to be uncool” scene, Bayo’s mission is to make a space for those kids that always felt strange or out of place.

Jahawi – A Kenyan DJ who’s pioneering the growing electronic dance music scene in Nairobi. Aside from DJ-ing at home and abroad he plays guitar and piano, is a producer and sound engineer who has released singles worldwide.

Touching Base premieres on MTV Base between 18:25 CAT and 18:30 CAT on Monday 6 June – look out for it on MTV Base!