Nigerian rapper and actor Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has launched a film and TV production company.
Falz
Falz announced the launch of the prodco, named House21 TV, via Twitter, writing: “Super excited as I’ve officially set up a film & TV production company House21 TV with the aim of bringing you artistically sound and thoroughly entertaining content. Outside-the-box stories, peculiar storytelling, all-round original content.”
House21’s first project is web series Therapy: Banana Island Vs Lekki, which follows a dysfunctional couple trying to settle their marital disputes through with therapy. Starring Falz alongside Toke Makinwa, Josh2funny and Bovi, its first episode is already available to watch on YouTube.
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and Nigeria’s Got Talent winner Amarachi at NickFest
The second edition of family event NickFest Nigeria, organised by children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, took place in Lagos this week.
The two-day event, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, welcomed more than 4,000 families with children to experience being with popular Nickelodeon characters.
Sponsored by Indomie, DSTV Nigeria, Cussons Baby, Nunu Milk, Maltina and Nickelodeon parent company Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), this year’s event was anchored by TV personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and the winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, Amarachi.
There were performances by Nigerian artistes like MI Abaga, Mayorkun, Falz, Simisola and Adekunle Gold.
Several Nickelodeon characters performed in shows as well, including ones from SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Shimmer & Shine and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
One parent at the event, held on September 29 and 30, said: “NickFest thrilled kids and parents alike today, thanks to Nickelodeon, in partnership with Maltina. We had fun, we appreciate them.”
There was a celebrity slime challenge, which involved personalities being covered with green slime in an attempt to raise funds for kids through NGO projects in Nigeria.
Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at VIMN Africa and sister company BET International, said: “NickFest delivers an amazing experience for families to enjoy the best of Nickelodeon. We are thrilled to bring the festival back to Nigeria in partnership with Maltina for a second consecutive year.”
“This is indeed an exciting partnership for Maltina. We recognise that we are all busy and, more often than not, life just gets in the way, making family time that much more important,” added Ngozi Nkwoji, portfolio manager of non-alcoholic drinks for Maltina parent Nigerian Breweries.
“As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are proud to partner with Nickelodeon again to bring all the excitement of NickFest to the whole family. NickFest is one of those events that the whole family can enjoy and is an event that nourishes those precious family moments.”
Nigerian rapper and comic Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, will feature in an original TV drama series from BLK Prime, a Silicon Valley-based subscription VoD platform.
Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana
Falz has announced he will be making his Hollywood debut on BLK Prime’s TV series Church. He will play lead character William Randolph Church, a charismatic Nigerian billionaire.
Falz, star of popular Nigerian TV series Jenifa’s Diary, said he is enthusiastic about this new role. “I am so excited to introduce my character to audiences around the world and to be a part of BLK Prime’s mission of offering diverse streaming entertainment worldwide.”
In a statement, Scott Scherer, senior VP of BLK Prime, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Falz. With millions of fans around the world and nearly three million Instagram followers, Falz has proven to be a gifted performer with the ability to captivate an audience. Church is a complex character that will showcase Falz in a way audiences have never seen him before.”
Church is set to premiere worldwide on BLK Prime before the end of June. Falz made the announcement to his Instagram followers on Friday.
In 2016, Falz won the Africa Movies Viewer’s Choice Awards for Best in a Comedy Series/Movie, making him the first musician to win the award.
Backed by EFC Investment Group, BLK Prime is an SVoD platform based in California and is available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Prime streaming services.
