Tag Archives: CJ Obasi

Mami Wata to be distributed in NA

May 26, 2023NewsCJ Obasi, Dekanalog, Mami WataJohn Winfield

Nollywood feature film Mami Wata, directed by Nigeria’s CJ Obasi, has been acquired by US-based film and soundtrack distributor Dekanalog.

Based on West African mermaid folklore, the film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It will be distributed in North America this fall.

Mami Wata is set in the remote West African village of Iyi. It follows Mama Efe (played by Rita Edochie), who acts as an intermediary between the people and the all-powerful water deity Mami Wata.

Obasi said: “I’m super excited that Mami Wata will be distributed in North America by Dekanalog, a company with a true heart and soul for a new kind of cinema. I’m amped to see how the audience receives our vision and labor of love.”

Dekanalog co-founder Lysa Le added: “Releasing a film like this is such a special opportunity, and we are honoured to be sharing this incredible piece of modern Nigerian cinema with North America. Dekanalog cannot wait for audiences to be hypnotised by this extraordinary picture,”

The film’s cast also includes Evelyne Ily Juhen, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Kelechi Udegbe, Emeka Amakeze and Tough Bone.

tagged in: CJ Obasi, Dekanalog, Mami Wata

AFRIFF to hold 10th anniversary in Lagos

October 15, 2021NewsAbba T Makama, Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, Binti, CJ Obasi, Deji Ayoola, Eric Kabera, Femi Oyeniran, For the Love of Dance, Gilbert Lukalia, Jackie Motsepe, Juju Stories, Kenneth Gyang, Khadija Alami, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Michael Omonua, Mission to Rescue, Oliver Black, Road2blow, Seko Shamte, Seun Adeleye, Sheriff Awad, Tawfik Baba, The Hero’s Walk, Tolulope AwobiyiGary

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), dedicated to African films and filmmakers, will take place in Lagos in November, marking the event’s 10th anniversary.

This year’s festival, themed Africans for Africa, will be held from November 7 to 13 at the Landmark Centre.

It will give expression to players in the African film sector, aiming to raise filmmaking standards by profiling keynote conversations on issues of strategic importance.

The sessions will connect expert speakers and facilitators from around the globe who will speak in keynote conversations, workshops and seminars, aimed at sharing knowledge, ideas and trends to empower film industry professionals.

Panel sessions have titles including Blockbuster Storytelling: Producing for the Big Screen, The Stakeholders: In Conversation with African Filmmakers, Film Industry Financing: Building Sustainable Structures, How to Build Global Bridges: Exploring the African Global Cinema and Accessing International Film Grants.

African feature films that have been selected include Oliver Black, directed by Tawfik Baba from Morocco; Binti, directed by Seko Shamte from Tanzania; Juju Stories, directed by CJ Obasi, Abba T Makama and Michael Omonua from Nigeria; and Mission to Rescue, directed by Gilbert Lukalia from Kenya.

Films in the documentary section include For the Love of Dance by Seun Adeleye, The Hero’s Walk by Tolulope Awobiyi and Road2blow by Deji Ayoola from Nigeria.

Films in the animation section include Kenda by Stephane Mendonça from Côte d’Ivoire, Lady Buckit & the Motley Mobsters by Adebisi Adetayo from Nigeria and Halima’s Vote by Mbuotidem Johnson from Nigeria.

There will also be student short-film competitions as well as masterclasses and, according to the organisers, the closing film will be Collision by Bolanle Austen-Peters from Nigeria.

The jury comprises award-winning Moroccan producer Khadija Alami; award-winning actor and filmmaker Femi Oyeniran; Jackie Motsepe, chair of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission in South Africa; Egyptian film curator Sheriff Awad; Rwandan filmmaker Eric Kabera; and Nigerian filmmakers Kenneth Gyang and CJ Obasi.

To register to attend AFRIFF click here.

tagged in: Abba T Makama, Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, Binti, CJ Obasi, Deji Ayoola, Eric Kabera, Femi Oyeniran, For the Love of Dance, Gilbert Lukalia, Jackie Motsepe, Juju Stories, Kenneth Gyang, Khadija Alami, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Michael Omonua, Mission to Rescue, Oliver Black, Road2blow, Seko Shamte, Seun Adeleye, Sheriff Awad, Tawfik Baba, The Hero’s Walk, Tolulope Awobiyi

Netflix orders first Nigerian series

February 27, 2020NewsAde Laoye, Akin Omotoso, Ayoola Ayolola, Bimbo Akintola, CJ Obasi, Daniel Oriahi, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Goodness Emmanuel, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Ireti Doyle, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Kehinde Bankole, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Rififi Pictures, Tope Tedela, Toyin OshinaikeGary

The cast of Akin Omotoso’s upcoming Netflix drama

Global streaming platform Netflix has commissioned its first Nigerian original series, to be helmed by Nollywood director Akin Omotoso alongside Daniel Oriahi and CJ Obasi.

The supernatural drama, which is yet to be titled, is set in modern-day Nigeria, shot in Lagos and produced by Rififi Pictures.

The series tells the story of Kemi, a goddess reincarnated as a human to avenge her sister’s death. However, she must learn how to use and harness her superpowers to defeat her enemies and save her family from destruction.

It will feature Nollywood actors including Kate Henshaw, Ade Laoye, Richard Mofe Damijo, Joke Silva, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Kehinde Bankole, Ayoola Ayolola, Toyin Oshinaike, Goodness Emmanuel, Ireti Doyle, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Bimbo Akintola, Tope Tedela and Ijeoma Grace Agu.

“I’m excited that in the same week that we’re launching Queen Sono, we had the opportunity to be here in Lagos with Nigerian storytellers to share plans of our first Nigerian original production,” says Dorothy Ghettuba, who leads African originals at Netflix.

“Our continent has a wealth of diversity, multiplicity and beauty in stories that have yet to be told and we want to be top of mind for creators in Nigeria, especially when it comes to stories they haven’t had a chance to tell yet.”

Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be investing in Made in Nigeria stories – bringing them to audiences all around the world.”

tagged in: Ade Laoye, Akin Omotoso, Ayoola Ayolola, Bimbo Akintola, CJ Obasi, Daniel Oriahi, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Goodness Emmanuel, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Ireti Doyle, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Kehinde Bankole, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Rififi Pictures, Tope Tedela, Toyin Oshinaike