Tag Archives: Tendeka Matatu

Ten10 hires head of development

London- and South Africa-based prodco Ten10 Entertainment (formerly Ten10 Films) has hired actor, writer, director and producer Jafta Mamabolo as head of development.

Jafta Mamabolo

Led by producer Tendeka Matatu, Ten10 is behind Netflix neo-noir thriller Cold Harbour. Matatu said its rebrand and expansion reflects its growing slate of original series and film projects.

As head of development based in South Africa, Mamabolo will work on expanding Ten10’s Africa-focused entertainment slate.

The first projects he will oversee include: young adult series Abel & Ashanti, produced with Bill Borden (High School Musical, Kung Fu Hustle); African-futuristic Akebul-an Chronicles, produced with Fremantle; and a limited series based on the book Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin.

Mamabolo rose to prominence as a child actor on youth show Soul Buddyz, after which he has landed many roles in both film and TV. He also exec produced SABC 1’s travelogue series Mi Kasi Su Kasi, and wrote, co-directed and starred in Ralph Ziman’s film Freedom, currently on release in South Africa on MNet Box Office.

“We are delighted to have Jafta on board. He is uniquely dialled-in to the current zeitgeist of young South African audiences and is part of a cohort of exciting new creatives who are redefining African storytelling in a big way,” Matatu said.

“His joining marks a new direction for Ten10. Jafta’s remit will be on entertainment across the board. He’ll be curating a compelling slate of premium, film, series, non-fiction and podcasting projects that have both a distinctly local flavour and an international appeal.”

Mamabolo added: “I believe in telling impactful and world-class African stories and creating much-needed platforms for young, African storytellers to do the same. I am elated to be a part of Ten10’s long legacy of taking Africa’s stories, and storytellers alike, to a global audience.”

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Abudu joins DFMI advisory committee

African media heavyweights Mo Abudu, Judy Kibinge and Tendeka Matatu have joined the advisory board of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI).

Mo Abudu

Nigerian Abudu is the founder of EbonyLife Media; Kibinge is a Kenyan filmmaker, writer and producer; and Matatu is a South African producer and director.

The DFMI is a non-profit company that facilitates local and international trade and investment in African film content. The advisory committee will bring a wealth of industry experience and an international perspective to promote African cinema, according to the company.

Jacintha de Nobrega, chairman of DFMI’s board of directors, said: “We are privileged to have been afforded access to a diverse group of industry role players who are committed to taking African content to the global market, thereby ensuring that DFMI remains a key entry point that connects our industry to the world.

“We purposefully selected esteemed and influential industry leaders who will support the DFMI in increasing its footprint in the global market. This is aligned with our overarching strategy and our mission to consolidate the DFMI as the leading film market in Africa and the access point for African content.”

Abudu took to Instagram to say: “I am pleased to announce I have been invited to join the advisory board of the Durban FilmMart Institute, as a board representative from Nigeria amongst a distinguished panel of others from the UK, USA, Egypt, Canada, France and Kenya.”

Other committee members include award-winning US producer Steven Adams; Todd Brown, head of acquisitions for XYZ Films in Canada; award-winning Egyptian film director Jihan El-Tahri; Cécile Gérardin, head of drama at France-based Canal+ International; award-winning US director Roger Ross Williams; and Dana Sims, talent agent at Hollywood agency CAA.

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