Mo Abudu, the Nigerian media mogul behind EbonyLife Media, has launched a new label, Mo Abudu Films, that aims to broaden the spectrum of Nigerian cinema by making more “personal and intimate” films that champion “the voices and perspectives of underrepresented communities.”
The label will also serve as a vehicle for Abudu’s directorial ambitions. The prolific producer of such Nigerian box office hits as Fifty and The Wedding Party as well as TV series including Netflix’s Blood Sisters has helmed two short films, Her Perfect Life and Iyawo Mi (My Wife), that will mark the first titles on the Mo Abudu Films slate.
Both projects address mental health issues, a taboo subject in Nigeria and throughout much of Africa. Her Perfect Life follows Onajite Johnson Ibrahim (Pearl Thusi), a 30-something woman who appears, on Instagram, to have the ideal life — a flourishing career, a loving husband (Ahmed Ibrahim...
The label will also serve as a vehicle for Abudu’s directorial ambitions. The prolific producer of such Nigerian box office hits as Fifty and The Wedding Party as well as TV series including Netflix’s Blood Sisters has helmed two short films, Her Perfect Life and Iyawo Mi (My Wife), that will mark the first titles on the Mo Abudu Films slate.
Both projects address mental health issues, a taboo subject in Nigeria and throughout much of Africa. Her Perfect Life follows Onajite Johnson Ibrahim (Pearl Thusi), a 30-something woman who appears, on Instagram, to have the ideal life — a flourishing career, a loving husband (Ahmed Ibrahim...
- 5/4/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Idris Elba and African media mogul Mo Abudu are joining forces to launch a film and TV joint venture that will back new projects and up-and-coming talent from Africa and the African diaspora.
The partnership between Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Abudu’s EbonyLife Media, announced Thursday, aims to “empower and uplift talent from Africa and the Diaspora” by backing a development slate of film and TV projects and, by supporting up-and-coming creatives and executives from those communities, to “build capacity and foster authentic representation” in the international industry, to give “stories from Africa and its Diaspora” the same “level of attention and respect as other cultures and communities.”
Elba and Abudu said their production slate would focus on “authentic, Afro-centric stories” that can resonate with audiences around the world. Projects, ranging from feature films to series for television or streaming partners, will be set up as co-productions between...
The partnership between Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Abudu’s EbonyLife Media, announced Thursday, aims to “empower and uplift talent from Africa and the Diaspora” by backing a development slate of film and TV projects and, by supporting up-and-coming creatives and executives from those communities, to “build capacity and foster authentic representation” in the international industry, to give “stories from Africa and its Diaspora” the same “level of attention and respect as other cultures and communities.”
Elba and Abudu said their production slate would focus on “authentic, Afro-centric stories” that can resonate with audiences around the world. Projects, ranging from feature films to series for television or streaming partners, will be set up as co-productions between...
- 3/16/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The weeks leading up to a world premiere of a movie are typically a time of celebration and anticipation for the filmmakers, particularly when that premiere is taking place at the Toronto Film Festival. But for the team behind “Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman,” which is produced by Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films and Netflix and screened in the festival’s Special Presentations section Sept. 10, there will be a long shadow cast across the red carpet on opening night.
Just weeks ahead of the film’s world premiere, director Biyi Bandele died in Lagos, Nigeria. His sudden, tragic passing on the eve of what would have been his crowning achievement as a filmmaker sent shock waves through the film community, particularly in Africa and across the African diaspora.
When the news broke, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey paid tribute to the director, writing in a Twitter post: “Biyi Bandele was...
Just weeks ahead of the film’s world premiere, director Biyi Bandele died in Lagos, Nigeria. His sudden, tragic passing on the eve of what would have been his crowning achievement as a filmmaker sent shock waves through the film community, particularly in Africa and across the African diaspora.
When the news broke, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey paid tribute to the director, writing in a Twitter post: “Biyi Bandele was...
- 9/10/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Biyi Bandele, the renowned Nigerian novelist, playwright and filmmaker behind 2013’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” and upcoming film “The King’s Horseman,” has died. He was 54.
Bandele died on Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, according to a Facebook post from his daughter, Temi Bandele. A cause of death was not given.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” Temi writes in the post. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
Bandele had recently finished his latest film entitled “The King’s Horseman.” Inspired by Nigerian Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka’s anti-colonial play “Death and the King’s Horseman,...
Bandele died on Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, according to a Facebook post from his daughter, Temi Bandele. A cause of death was not given.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” Temi writes in the post. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
Bandele had recently finished his latest film entitled “The King’s Horseman.” Inspired by Nigerian Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka’s anti-colonial play “Death and the King’s Horseman,...
- 8/9/2022
- by Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Biyi Bandele, the Nigerian playwright, novelist and writer-director known for his adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun,” died Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria. His daughter Temi Bandele announced the news of his passing on Facebook. He was 54.
No cause of death was revealed.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” she wrote on Bandele’s official page. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
The post continued, “He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.
No cause of death was revealed.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” she wrote on Bandele’s official page. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
The post continued, “He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.
- 8/9/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Biyi Bandele, the pioneering Nigerian novelist, playwright and filmmaker who directed the 2013 adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, has died. He was 54.
Bandele died Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, his daughter Temi Bandele announced on Facebook. No cause of death was given.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” she wrote. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
Bandele was completing postproduction on his latest movie, The King’s Horseman, a drama inspired by the acclaimed anti-colonial...
Biyi Bandele, the pioneering Nigerian novelist, playwright and filmmaker who directed the 2013 adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, has died. He was 54.
Bandele died Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, his daughter Temi Bandele announced on Facebook. No cause of death was given.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father,” she wrote. “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
Bandele was completing postproduction on his latest movie, The King’s Horseman, a drama inspired by the acclaimed anti-colonial...
- 8/9/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Latest feature from Nigerian writer-director due to premiere at TIFF.
Nigerian film director and novelist Biyi Bandele has died aged 54 in Lagos, Nigeria.
His family confirmed that he died on Sunday (August 7) but did not reveal a cause of death.
Bandele’s latest feature Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman is set to premiere at Toronto as a special presentation in September. It comes nearly a decade after his directorial debut, Half Of A Yellow Sun, premiered at Toronto in 2013, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton.
Further credits include Fifty, which played the London Film Festival in 2015, and he directed...
Nigerian film director and novelist Biyi Bandele has died aged 54 in Lagos, Nigeria.
His family confirmed that he died on Sunday (August 7) but did not reveal a cause of death.
Bandele’s latest feature Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman is set to premiere at Toronto as a special presentation in September. It comes nearly a decade after his directorial debut, Half Of A Yellow Sun, premiered at Toronto in 2013, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton.
Further credits include Fifty, which played the London Film Festival in 2015, and he directed...
- 8/9/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Creative partnership signals streamer’s growing presence in Africa.
Netflix has forged a multi-project creative partnership with South African filmmaker Mandlakayise Walter Dube as part of further investment into the continent.
Under the deal, Dube will direct a variety of Netflix-owned projects, to be announced in due course.
The pact adds to similar partnerships established with African talent including Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu and her EbonyLife Studios label, and Nigerian multi-hyphenate Kunle Afolayan and his Kap Film and Television Academy.
The relationships underscore the slate of African content commissioned by Netflix of late.
During the first half of 2022, the...
Netflix has forged a multi-project creative partnership with South African filmmaker Mandlakayise Walter Dube as part of further investment into the continent.
Under the deal, Dube will direct a variety of Netflix-owned projects, to be announced in due course.
The pact adds to similar partnerships established with African talent including Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu and her EbonyLife Studios label, and Nigerian multi-hyphenate Kunle Afolayan and his Kap Film and Television Academy.
The relationships underscore the slate of African content commissioned by Netflix of late.
During the first half of 2022, the...
- 8/3/2022
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Netflix has struck a multi-project partnership with South African filmmaker Mandlakayise (Mandla) Walter Dube and unveiled its latest film with Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan, as the streamer trumpeted its investment in Africa today in Johannesburg.
Under terms of the pact, Dube — who directed Netflix’s first commissioned African film Silverton Siege — will direct a variety of Netflix projects, details of which haven’t yet been received.
This marks Netflix’s third creative partnership with African creatives, coming after deals with Mo Abudu and her Ebonylife Studios and director Afolayan.
The pact was unveiled at Netflix’s See What’s Next Africa 2022/23 content showcase today, which brought together talent, filmmakers and press from South Africa and Nigeria.
The event was designed to spotlight the streamer’s investment in African storytelling and also included glimpses of progress of various projects from emerging filmmakers working initiatives such as the Unesco & Netflix ‘African Folktales,...
Under terms of the pact, Dube — who directed Netflix’s first commissioned African film Silverton Siege — will direct a variety of Netflix projects, details of which haven’t yet been received.
This marks Netflix’s third creative partnership with African creatives, coming after deals with Mo Abudu and her Ebonylife Studios and director Afolayan.
The pact was unveiled at Netflix’s See What’s Next Africa 2022/23 content showcase today, which brought together talent, filmmakers and press from South Africa and Nigeria.
The event was designed to spotlight the streamer’s investment in African storytelling and also included glimpses of progress of various projects from emerging filmmakers working initiatives such as the Unesco & Netflix ‘African Folktales,...
- 8/2/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney will unveil a raft of new animated series productions Wednesday at the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival, and show sneak peeks of the upcoming slate of new original animated shows to air on Disney+ and other Disney-owned platforms in 2023 and beyond.
Highlights include second season greenlights for hit Disney+ series “Monsters at Work” and “Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life,” and seasons three for “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” and “Mickey Mouse Funhouse.”
Additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including “Hamster & Gretel,” “Kiff,” “Hailey’s On It” and “Primos” will also be announced.
“The announcements out of Annecy today further cement Disney as the leader in animation,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “These new series represent the very best from our teams at Disney Television Animation and Disney Junior. They build upon Disney Branded Television’s commitment to work with incredible storytellers,...
Highlights include second season greenlights for hit Disney+ series “Monsters at Work” and “Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life,” and seasons three for “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” and “Mickey Mouse Funhouse.”
Additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including “Hamster & Gretel,” “Kiff,” “Hailey’s On It” and “Primos” will also be announced.
“The announcements out of Annecy today further cement Disney as the leader in animation,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “These new series represent the very best from our teams at Disney Television Animation and Disney Junior. They build upon Disney Branded Television’s commitment to work with incredible storytellers,...
- 6/15/2022
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
After almost three absurdly long years, “Stranger Things” Season 4 is just around the corner. A tentpole series for Netflix — at a whopping production cost of reportedly 30 million per episode — the fan-favorite sci-fi show that launched its young adult cast, led by Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, into superstardom will be dropping new episodes May 27.
And, according to the Emmy-winning series’ executive producer Shawn Levy, it’s going to be “harrowing,” “cinematic” and “epic.” He told TheWrap in a recent interview, “This is so much more story and runtime than ever before, not by a little. By a lot.”
The last month of spring will also see the return of reality series titles like “The Circle” — a social media-driven competition series where players catfish, befriend and flirt with each other with the aim of winning a grand cash prize — and “Bling Empire” — which centers on a group of uber-wealthy Asian American friends in Beverly Hills.
And, according to the Emmy-winning series’ executive producer Shawn Levy, it’s going to be “harrowing,” “cinematic” and “epic.” He told TheWrap in a recent interview, “This is so much more story and runtime than ever before, not by a little. By a lot.”
The last month of spring will also see the return of reality series titles like “The Circle” — a social media-driven competition series where players catfish, befriend and flirt with each other with the aim of winning a grand cash prize — and “Bling Empire” — which centers on a group of uber-wealthy Asian American friends in Beverly Hills.
- 5/13/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Mike Myers’ limited comedic series “The Pentaverate,” about an ancient secret society trying to save the world, didn’t register with Netflix viewers in its first week of streaming, and didn’t make Netflix’s Top 10 Most-Viewed English Language Series chart for the week of May 2-8.
It was the comedian’s first real project since his appearance as a record producer who gives Queen a thumbs down in 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” While The Guardian found the series “sweet, silly [and] charmingly harmless,” many echoed The Daily Beast, who labeled it “embarrassingly bad.” The series costars Ken Jeong, Keegan-Michael Key, Debi Mazer and Jennifer Saunders.
Meanwhile the series finale of “Ozark” kept the No. 1 spot globally with 102.1 million minutes viewed, up from last week’s 78.4 million. The first season also made the chart, landing at No. 7 with 13.6 million minutes viewed. It’s now been in the Top 10 for nine weeks.
The...
It was the comedian’s first real project since his appearance as a record producer who gives Queen a thumbs down in 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” While The Guardian found the series “sweet, silly [and] charmingly harmless,” many echoed The Daily Beast, who labeled it “embarrassingly bad.” The series costars Ken Jeong, Keegan-Michael Key, Debi Mazer and Jennifer Saunders.
Meanwhile the series finale of “Ozark” kept the No. 1 spot globally with 102.1 million minutes viewed, up from last week’s 78.4 million. The first season also made the chart, landing at No. 7 with 13.6 million minutes viewed. It’s now been in the Top 10 for nine weeks.
The...
- 5/10/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
“The Pentaverate,” Netflix’s limited series starring Mike Myers as eight different characters in a story about five “nice” guys who run the entire world, didn’t make a dent in the streamer’s newly released Top 10 rankings.
It’s a significant flop for Myers, who was a box office darling in the ‘90s and early 2000s for his starring in projects including the “Shrek,” “Austin Powers” and “Wayne’s World” films. But as Variety’s review noted, Myer’s heyday is behind him, and “The Pentaverate” points to “a feature, not a bug” in Netflix’s content strategy of “writ[ing] giant checks to anyone who might bring in more viewers.”
The May 2-8 viewing window marked the first full week of availability for Season 4 of “Ozark,” which remained in the No. 1 position with 102.1 million minutes viewed, up from last week’s 78.4 million. As fans rewatch the series or come to...
It’s a significant flop for Myers, who was a box office darling in the ‘90s and early 2000s for his starring in projects including the “Shrek,” “Austin Powers” and “Wayne’s World” films. But as Variety’s review noted, Myer’s heyday is behind him, and “The Pentaverate” points to “a feature, not a bug” in Netflix’s content strategy of “writ[ing] giant checks to anyone who might bring in more viewers.”
The May 2-8 viewing window marked the first full week of availability for Season 4 of “Ozark,” which remained in the No. 1 position with 102.1 million minutes viewed, up from last week’s 78.4 million. As fans rewatch the series or come to...
- 5/10/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
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