News

The anticipated goldrush for African creators sparked by Netflix’s 2016 entry into the market hasn’t entirely come to fruition, though the influx of investment from local and global streaming platforms has nevertheless been transformative for Africa’s screen industries. Budgets, production values and outputs are rising, and breakout hits — such as Netflix’s Nigerian thriller “The Black Book” and South African teen drama “Blood & Water” — highlight the power of global streaming services to deliver African stories to audiences around the world.

Yet as evidenced by Amazon Prime Video’s abrupt pullout from the African market in January, when the streaming giant announced it was shifting course to focus on “emerging” markets in Europe, a continent that was gearing up for the windfalls of blockbuster deals with deep-pocketed platforms also finds itself at the mercy of those companies’ sometimes fickle streaming strategies. “It feels much more like a studio system,...

The sixth edition of the Joburg Film Festival wraps Sunday, putting a bow on a week that saw many in the host nation reflecting on South Africa’s long journey in the three decades since the end of apartheid. But among the filmmakers and executives taking part in the second Jbx content market the focus was squarely on the future, as Africa’s streaming wars and an eye toward global dealmaking highlighted how the tide has begun to shift in how the world perceives the continent. “What a time to be alive in Johannesburg,” said festival founder Timothy Mangwedi at Saturday’s award ceremony. “What a time to be alive in Africa.”

Here are five takeaways from a busy week in Johannesburg:

Streamers shift strategies but still drive growth

Amazon Prime Video’s abrupt pull-out from the African market in January has left many local producers frustrated and confused. “It...

As South Africa marks three decades since its first democratic elections, a historic moment that dismantled the apartheid system and ushered in Black-majority rule, the country is at a crossroads. Inequality is rife. Crippling blackouts have pushed the economy to a tipping point. The ruling African National Congress — the party of Nelson Mandela — is in crisis, at peril of losing nationwide elections this year for the first time since it swept to power. For many South Africans, the heady promises of that democratic transition have largely been left unfulfilled.

It is a moment of reflection and uncertainty, too, for the country’s film and TV industry, which amid the broader soul-searching is still striving to find its identity. “In many ways, you can say the industry is growing. It’s booming,” says Layla Swart of Yellowbone Entertainment, whose credits include the Canal Plus-Showmax epic fantasy drama series “Blood Psalms,...

Akin Omotoso, the filmmaker behind Disney Plus’ Giannis Antetokounmpo biopic “Rise,” has been attached to direct “The Plot to Save South Africa,” an adaptation of Justice Malala’s gripping book about a 1990s white supremacist plot that almost plunged the young democracy into civil war.

“The Plot to Save South Africa” will be produced by Johannesburg-based production outfit Ochre Moving Pictures, which signed a deal with Netflix last year to adapt multiple books for the streaming service alongside Omotoso. “Plot,” however, is not included in that deal, and is part of an existing partnership between Ochre and Omotoso that includes a crime drama adaptation of Nigerian playwright Femi Osofisan’s novel “Pirates.”

The story begins in 1993, as Nelson Mandela has just been released after 27 years in prison and is in power-sharing talks with President F.W. de Klerk. After decades of resistance, the apartheid regime seems poised to fall, until a...

Awards Jamboree

The Asian Film Awards Academy has revealed several events around the annual Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong. Veteran filmmakers, jury president of this year’s awards, Japan’s Kurosawa Kiyoshi and Hong Kong’s Fruit Chan, will share their filmmaking experiences and artistic concepts in a joint masterclass. Thai star Metawin Opas-Iamkajorn (“2gether” series and film) known as Win, will be honored with the Afa Rising Star Award and the event will host the world premiere of his new film “Under Parallel Skies.”

There will also be six themed panel discussions featuring actors Wan Fang (Taiwan), Rachel Leung and Yoyo Tse (both Hong Kong), Tergel Bold-Erdene (Mongolia), Awat Ratanapintha (Thailand) and Shirata Mihaya (Japan). The discussions will also include filmmakers Nick Cheuk, Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, Dominic Sangma, Oscar-winning production designer Tim Yip, production and costume designers Eric Lam, Man Lim Chung, Mitsumatsu Keiko, Elaine Ng, Zhang Menglun, editors Keith Chan Hiu Chun,...

Exclusive: “This is a beautiful piece of art that I had no idea was going to resonate so deeply with me,” Regina King declared at last night’s overflowing tastemaker screening of Ava DuVernay’s Origin. “It’s a film about connectivity,” the Oscar winner added to the heavy hitter crowd. “I believe this is a film that will be studied in Anthropology classes for years and years to come.”

“Stunning, thank you,” King even more bluntly said of Origin to When They See Us vets DuVernay and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and wide applause from influential onlookers.

In a rare public appearance, the acclaimed actor and director took center stage with DuVernay and Ellis-Taylor Thursday to praise and delve into the film based on Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. The screening at West Hollywood’s London hotel was just the latest in a...

Are you a sports fan looking for some inspiration? Disney+ is now streaming some of the best true stories found in American sports movies. If you’re a fan of sports, then you’ll love these films. They are packed with exciting moments and thrilling storylines. Here are 10 must-watch sports movies streaming on Disney Plus now.

#10. “Secretariat” (2010)

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 | Metascore: 61 | CinemaScore: A

“Secretariat” is based on the story of Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane), who owned Secretariat, one of the greatest racehorses in history. The film follows Secretariat’s rise to fame and his legendary Triple Crown win in 1973.

One of the most iconic moments of the film is Secretariat’s record-breaking victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, where he won by an incredible 31 lengths, setting a new world record that still holds today. This historic win solidified Secretariat’s place in horse racing history and earned him the nickname “Big Red.

Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has partnered with JetBlue on an exclusive in-flight pop-up channel, offering a curated selection of 12 independent features from artists of color and women directors.

The films will be accompanied by a special video introduction from DuVernay, debuting across select JetBlue aircraft on December 1. The in-flight partnership is the first for Array, which has acquired and distributed more than 40 independent features since 2011.

“Over the years, I’ve experienced transformative moments by watching films while flying. Something about the intimacy of being in the air as stories unfold has always appealed to me,” shared DuVernay. “We launched Array Releasing in 2011 as a way to connect audiences with indie cinema made by underrepresented filmmakers. Our hope is that JetBlue travelers will sit back and enjoy the magic of these films, exploring new visions and new voices while in the majesty of mid-air.”

“We are thrilled to take Array...

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Indie filmmakers who are women and directors from the global majority will now have access to a new level of audience — literally.

Ava DuVernay’s distribution vehicle Array Releasing has partnered with JetBlue to launch a pop-up in-flight channel that will screen a dozen Array features.

“Over the years, I’ve experienced transformative moments by watching films while flying. Something about the intimacy of being in the air as stories unfold has always appealed to me,” DuVernay said in a statement. “We launched Array Releasing in 2011 as a way to connect audiences with indie cinema made by underrepresented filmmakers. Our hope is that JetBlue travelers will sit back and enjoy the magic of these films, exploring new visions and new voices while in the majesty of mid-air.”

Available starting today Thursday, each film will be preceded by a short video featuring DuVernay giving...

Exclusive: Longtime APA literary agent Adam Perry has been promoted to Partner.

Perry began his career in the APA mailroom in 2011 and was promoted to agent in 2013. Since then, he has grown his roster of clients to represent such writers and directors as filmmakers Justin Chon (Gook, Blue Bayou, Pachinko) and Akin Omotoso (Rise, Vaya), director Alejandra Marquez Abella (The Good Girls, A Million Miles Away), screenwriters Julia Cox (Nyad), Pat Casey & Josh Miller (Sonic The Hedgehog 1&2, Violent Night), Black List scribe Elyse Hollander (Blond Ambition, Guys and Dolls remake), creator-showrunner Ben Ketai (StartUp), screenwriters Steve Desmond & Michael Sherman (Knock at the Cabin, Harry’s All Night Hamburgers), Amos Vernon & Nunzio Randazzo (Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, Fudged), Co-ep’s Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt (Sweet Tooth, Star Trek Discovery), Co-ep Chuck Hayward (Ted Lasso), SuP Bobak Esfarjani (Alien, Kindred), writing trio Murder Ink. (Black Don’t Camp, Homecoming), screenwriters Cornelius Uliano & Bryan Schulz (Peanuts,...

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Amazon Prime Video has signed a three-year overall deal with Nigerian filmmaker Jáde Osiberu that will see her develop and produce original scripted TV series and feature films for the global streamer through her production company Greoh Studios.

One of Nigeria’s best-known and most successful director/producers, Osiberu is behind such features as Isoken (2017) and Sugar Rush (2019) and is the creator/writer/director of Amazon’s highly-anticipated new Nigerian original movie Gangs of Lagos, which Amazon is screening at the Toronto Film Festival this year. The movie is set to launch as the first Nigerian original exclusively on Prime Video later this year.

“I am overjoyed with this collaboration and already feel like I’m part of the Prime Video and Amazon Studios family,” said Osiberu. “It will be an absolute pleasure to introduce Prime Video audiences to the most exciting talent...

Crime thriller Gangs Of Lagos and comedy series Lol: Last One Laughing Naija will be released later this year.

Amazon Prime Video has unveiled its first Nigerian originals; crime-thriller Gangs Of Lagos and comedy series Lol: Last One Laughing Naija to be released later this year.

Prime Video has launched its first local marketing campaign in the country and will allow customers to subscribe to the streamer using local currency (Nigerian Naira) for the first time.

Gangs Of Lagos follows a group of friends growing up in a Lagos neighbourhood and stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Chiké. Jade Osiberu...

Global streamer Prime Video is supercharging its investment in Nigeria by unveiling its first Amazon Originals from the country, and for the first time allowing customers to sign up in the local currency, the Naira.

The originals, action flick Gangs of Lagos and unscripted series Lol: Last One Laughing Naija, come as Prime Video unveiled its first local marketing campaign and soon after rival Netflix revealed a wide slate of African titles, including Nigerian originals. Amazon also unveiled its first suite of Southeast Asian local-language originals this week.

The local Prime Video service, priced at 2,300Ngn (5.50) per month, also includes global original series and movies and Hollywood and Nollywood titles.

“From local payment and a full-scale local marketing campaign, to more local content specifically for Nigerian customers, our investment in Nigeria is a significant step towards our broader expansion plans in Africa and our ambition to be the most local of global streaming services,...

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Amazon Prime Video is making a major push in Nigeria, underlining Africa’s most populous nation as one of the key battlegrounds in the streaming wars.

With a marketing drive currently underway and Nigerians now able to subscribe to the service in local currency for the first time, Prime Video on Friday unveiled two Nigerian originals, the first creative results of a series of recent deals.

Feature film Gangs of Lagos is described as a “high-stakes, gritty and hard-hitting action crime-thriller,” centered on a group of friends growing up on the streets of Nigeria’s largest city. Starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Chiké, the film was directed and produced by Jade Osiberu, produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and co-produced by Akin Omotoso. It will launch on Prime Video in Nigeria and internationally later this year.

Unscripted series Lol: Last One Laughing Naijia,...

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Netflix on Tuesday unveiled its slate of African originals, presenting a showcase of local-language series, feature films and non-fiction projects produced in Africa that will roll out across the streamer’s global service later this year and in early 2023.

Highlights include The King’s Horseman, the hotly awaited film adaptation of Noble Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka’s acclaimed anti-colonial play Death and the King’s Horseman. Adapted and directed by Half of a Yellow Sun helmer Biyi Bandele, the Yoruba-language drama will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

On the series side, Netflix will premiere its first-ever Afrikaans-language drama, Ludik, on Aug. 26. The six-part actioner stars South African-born Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) in the title role as Daan Ludik. Rob Van Vuuren, Diaan Lawrenson and Zane Meas co-star.

Nigerian actor/director Akin Omotoso will launch The Brave Ones,...

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,...

Most basketball movies, from “He Got Game” to “Love and Basketball” to the recent “Hustle,” presume an abiding love of the sport more or less from the jump. Even attention to the business side of the court tends to grow from a deeper, almost spiritual connection to the game’s fast-paced beauty. So it’s a notable change of pace that the new Disney+ original movie “Rise” takes a more methodical, sometimes practically minded approach to the story; by the 30-minute mark its characters have barely played so much as a game of pickup.

The opening section, following Charles Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi) and his wife Veronica (Yetide Badaki) on an arduous and unsanctioned emigration from Nigeria to Greece, contains no hints that this movie is actually about an NBA dynasty in the making. Charles and Veronica only want a better life for their family, and have already left the first...

Rise Trailer — Akin Omotoso‘s Rise (2022) movie trailer has been released by Disney+. The Rise trailer stars Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Uche Agada, Ral Agada, and Jaden Osimuwa. Crew Arash Amel wrote the screenplay for Rise. Ré Olunuga created the music for the film. Kabelo Thathe crafted the cinematography for the film. Rise Poster Rise Movie [...]

Continue reading: Rise (2022) Movie Trailer: The Antetokounmpo Brothers Chase Their NBA Dreams in Akin Omotoso’s Disney Film...

"When one person in the family scores, the whole family scores." Disney has revealed an official trailer for an inspirational true story basketball movie titled Rise, from Nigerian filmmaker Akin Omotoso. Instead of a making a documentary or even a hybrid series, they decided to make a fictional feature, starring various actors playing the Antetokounmpos family. "Audiences have never seen a story like that of [this family]." Based on the real story about the family that produced the first trio of brothers to become NBA champions in the history of the league. Originally from Nigeria, their parents moved to Greece where they struggled to make ends meet on the streets of Athens - until three of their kids became basketball stars and eventually got drafted into the NBA. Rise stars Dayo Okeniyi & Yetide Badaki as the parents, Charles & Vera, with Uche Agada as Giannis, Ral Agada as Thanasis, and Jaden Osimuwa as Kostas.

Documentaries

Toronto Raptors vice-chair and president Masai Ujiri has joined the upcoming documentary series on the Basketball Africa League (Bal), a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), as an executive producer.

Fremantle and Passenger are producing the as yet untitled series, which tells the story of the creation, launch and inaugural season of the Bal, a new professional basketball league in Africa featuring 12 club teams from across the African continent. The series is being directed by emerging South African director Tebogo Malope.

Ujiri was the architect behind the Raptors’ historic 2019 NBA Championship win and he also serves as president of Giants of Africa, the non-profit he co-founded in 2003, which uses basketball as a tool to educate and enrich the lives of African youth.

The first edition of Bal took place in May in Kigali, Rwanda. Working alongside showrunner and executive producer Richard Brown...

Masai Ujiri, vice-chairman and president of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, has been brought on board to executive produce the Fremantle/Passenger docuseries based on the newly launched Basketball Africa League.

Ujiri joins as EP alongside Fisher Stevens (Tiger King) and Akin Omotoso (The Greek Freak), while Emmy-winning editor Andy Worboys has boarded as lead editor. South Africa’s Tebogo Malope is directing.

The docuseries is being produced by Fremantle and Richard Brown’s Passenger as part of their multi-year deal.

With the first Bal season taking place in Rwanda in May, the series will showcase stories of players, coaches and teams across Africa as they prepare for and compete in the season-ending tournament. The league is a partnership between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation.

Ujiri, who was the architect behind the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship team, grew up in Zaria, Nigeria and attended college in the U.S.

Exclusive: Robert Rodriguez’s Solstice Studios and Studio 8 action thriller Hypnotic has set Dayo Okeniyi and William Fichtner in the pic. The two will join Oscar winner Ben Affleck, Alice Braga and Hala Finley, the production of which is already shooting in Austin, Texas.

Hypnotic follows a detective who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter (Finley) and a secret government program – while investigating a string of impossible high-end crimes. Rodriguez and Max Borenstein wrote. Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov and his colleague John Graham are producing with Solstice Studios.

Fichtner most recently played Adam for five seasons on Chuck Lorre’s CBS sitcom Mom opposite Allison Janney. He will next be seen as Rick Kirkham on Joe Exotic, the TV series based on the real-life events documented in Netflix’s Tiger King as well as The Birthday Cake opposite Shiloh Fernandez,...

Fremantle and Passenger, the company founded by True Detective producer Richard Brown, are teaming with sports marketing company Infront to make a documentary series about the launch of the NBA-affiliated Basketball Africa League.

South African director Tebogo Malope (Queen Sono) is helming the series, which charts the inaugural season of Bal, a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa tipping off on May 16 in Kigali, Rwanda.

It follow players, coaches, and teams as they prepare for and compete in the competition, which is a partnership between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation, marking the first NBA-operated league outside of North America.

The series was developed by Malope alongside executive producers Brown, Oscar-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens, and Nigerian director/producer Akin Omotoso, who is currently directing The Greek Freak for Disney+. Anthony Scheinman and Christian Vesper also serve as executive producers for Infront and Fremantle respectively.

Brown said: “I...

The nascent Basketball Africa League (Bal), a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), is set to get its own documentary series.

Fremantle, “True Detective” executive producer Richard Brown and sports marketing company Infront have teamed with the Bal to produce an original documentary series telling the story of its launch and inaugural season.

The Bal is a new professional league featuring 12 teams from across Africa that starts May 16 in Kigali, Rwanda. It marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.

The series will be directed by South African director Tebogo Malope, who directed Netflix’s first African original series “Queen Sono.” It will follow stories of players, coaches and teams from across Africa, spotlighting the ambition behind the pan-African basketball league and the individuals who have worked to change the landscape of sports on the continent through this initiative.

The sci-fi movie is one of many big projects set to shoot in the country, including Disney’s Greek Freak

David Cronenberg is set to shoot a sci-fi film with the working title Crimes Of The Future in Greece this summer.

Cronenberg wrote and directed a 1970 film of the same name about the director of a dermatological clinic who goes searching for his mentor after a plague has killed off all women.

Shooting will take place over 30 days from August 2 to September 10, mostly around the capital, Athens, including at the Iris cinema, Arcade of Anatolia and harbour of Piraeus. Local...

The Disney+ film “Greek Freak” has found its lead to play a young Giannis Antetokounmpo, newcomer Uche Agada.

Agada will play the Greek Freak himself, NBA and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, in a film about Antetokounmpo’s life and his family about how they lifted themselves out of poverty as undocumented immigrants in Greece.

Also joining the cast are Yetide Badaki and Dayo Okeniyi, who will play Giannis’ parents Vera and Charles.

“Vaya” director Akin Omotoso is directing the film for Disney+ based on a screenplay by Arash Amel. Antetokounmpo will executive produce, and Bernie Goldmann will produce. Production is expected to begin later this year in both Greece and the U.S.

Agada is making his screen debut in “Greek Freak” and discovered the part through a casting call on social media.

Badaki has starred in “American Gods” and appeared in a handful of episodes on “This is Us.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo movie at Disney is taking shape, with Variety learning exclusively that the film has found three of its leads.

Newcomer Uche Agada will star as the NBA great in the film, which is titled “Greek Freak” in honor of the nickname Antetokounmpo earned for his otherworldly basketball skills. In addition, Yetide Badaki is joining the film as Vera, Antetokounmpo’s mother, while Dayo Okeniyi will play Charles, his father.

The film is being developed by The Walt Disney Studios for streamer Disney Plus. It was first announced as being in development back in 2019. The live-action film is inspired by the true story of Antetokounmpo’s life and family. Arash Amel is attached to write with Akin Omotoso directing. Antetokounmpo will executive produce, while Bernie Goldmann will produce. Production will begin later this year in both Greece and the U.S.

The role will mark Agada’s onscreen debut.

The Walt Disney Studios is in development on Greek Freak, a live action film for Disney+ inspired by the true life story of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family. Akin Omotoso is attached to direct.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA’s biggest stars who just won second Mvp in a row and his brother Kostas just won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. The incredible true story follows the Antetokounmpo family who through faith, determination, and their unbreakable bond, would unite to lift themselves out of a life of poverty as undocumented immigrants living in Greece.

Disney has a knack for coming through on great sport stories which include Miracle starring Kurt Russell. That film told the amazing true story of the 1980 U.S. Men’s Hockey team who defeated the Russian team to win the gold medal in what many still believe to be...

‘Vaya’ director Akin Omotoso is set to direct “Greek Freak,” a live-action film for Disney+ inspired by the true-life story of Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family.

Known as the “Greek Freak,” Antetokounmpo was awarded his second NBA Most Valuable Player Award in September.

“Greek Freak” will center on the Antetokounmpo family, who united to lift themselves out of a life of poverty as undocumented immigrants living in Greece.

Screenwriter Arash Amel, who wrote 2018’s “A Private War,” will write the script. Bernie Goldmann (“300”) is producing the project. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the executive producer. Production on the film will begin in 2021 in Antetokounmpos’s native Greece and other US locations.

The film is currently casting. On Wednesday, Antetokounmpo tweeted, “Disney is making a movie based on my family’s story and they are searching for actors to play me and my brother, Thanasis, in our younger days.

South Africa-based director Akin Omotoso has been hired to direct Greek Freak, a live-action feature centered on NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo being developed by Disney+.

Arash Amel, who has written biopics A Private War and Grace of Monaco, penned the script for Freak, which tells the true story of Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents and currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The story is said to focus on how the Antetokounmpo family relied on faith, determination and their unbreakable bond as they united to lift themselves out of a life of poverty as undocumented immigrants living in Greece....

South Africa-based director Akin Omotoso has been hired to direct Greek Freak, a live-action feature centered on NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo being developed by Disney+.

Arash Amel, who has written biopics A Private War and Grace of Monaco, penned the script for Freak, which tells the true story of Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents and currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The story is said to focus on how the Antetokounmpo family relied on faith, determination and their unbreakable bond as they united to lift themselves out of a life of poverty as undocumented immigrants living in Greece....

Netflix has signed a multi-title deal with prolific Nigerian producer Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife to create two original series. Multiple branded films and a series have also been licensed to the streaming service.

Among the highlights will be a film adaptation of “Death and the King’s Horseman,” a play by Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, and a series based on Lola Shoneyin’s best-selling debut novel, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.” One of the unnamed projects will premiere on the platform in 2020. Further details about the rest of the EbonyLife slate will be revealed at a later date.

Since becoming a household name in the 2000s with her daytime talk show “Moments With Mo,” Abudu has risen to become one of the most trusted names in Nigerian entertainment. After launching EbonyLife as an upscale TV network in 2012, she moved into feature film production with slickly produced titles like “The Wedding Party,...

With almost all of Hollywood and large swaths of America and the world under stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, a digital conversation with some of the leading filmmakers of our time never seemed like a better idea than right now.

Which is exactly what Ava DuVernay and Array will be kicking off at 9 Am Pt today with now 60 directors participating in the its fourth filmmaker tweet-a-thon – see the full 10-hour schedule below and follow with #ARRAYNow

“We hope today’s day-long Q&a feels like a virtual group hug from filmmakers to film fans,” DuVernay told Deadline as the When They See Us helmer prepared to start the show this morning. “Everyone at Array just wanted to create a space for positivity and community during these tense times,” the Oscar nominee added. “The fact that 60 filmmakers of color and women directors answered our call is beautiful and we...

As a way to keep audiences enlightened and entertained during social distancing and quarantine, Ava DuVernay’s Array will launch #ArrayMatinee on April 1. The new weekly digital film series will include independent films from Array Releasing’s roster of global features.

Every subsequent Wednesday after April 1, Array will showcase five films from their slate. Viewers and cinephiles will be able to “watch and tweet” to engage and connect with each other — while using the #ArrayMatinee hashtag of course.

More from DeadlineCoping With Covid-19 Crisis: Hollywood's Asian Community Calls On Allies For Support As Coronavirus Misinformation Incites HateDisney's 'Fancy Nancy' To Spotlight Autistic Character For World Autism Awareness Day'Almost Paradise's Dean Devlin Goes Back To His Roots With First-Ever American TV Series Shot In The Philippines

Below you can read more about the films that will be featured in the #ArrayMatinee film series.

Ayanda (South Africa) – April 1, 1Pm Pst (Vimeo)

After tragedy strikes,...

The non-English language projects will focus on West and East Africa.

UpperRoom Productions, the UK-based company run by British-Nigerian actor and producer John Boyega, is partnering with Netflix for a slate of non-English language African films.

The company is developing projects based on stories, cast, characters, crew, literary properties, mythology, screenplays and/or other elements in or around African countries, with a focus on West and East Africa.

“Africa has a rich history in storytelling and for Netflix, this partnership with John and UpperRoom presents an opportunity to further our investment in the continent while bringing unique African stories to...

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos and a team of high-level executives have spent the week crisscrossing the African continent, wooing local creators and touting plans to thrust the continent center-stage as the streaming giant’s first African original series, “Queen Sono,” drops worldwide on Friday.

Sarandos took the mic at a splashy event in Lagos Tuesday night, where the crowd was serenaded by traditional drums before the Netflix topper affirmed the streamer’s commitment to bringing African stories to a global audience.

“I’ve learned so much in the very short time we’ve been here…(and) I’ve just been thrilled to be surrounded by some of the most creative and successful creators in the world here in Nigeria, telling your stories to the world,” he said. “And that’s the thing that’s most exciting about…what we’re doing in Africa, and what we’re doing in Nigeria.

Netflix has unveiled its first Nigerian original – a drama from Vaya director Akin Omotoso.

The streamer has ordered an as-yet-untitled six-part series that will be directed by Akin, Daniel Oriahi and Cj Obasi.

Starring Kate Henshaw and Ade Laoye, the series is set in contemporary Nigeria and shot in Lagos. It tells the story of Kemi, a goddess reincarnated as a human to avenge her sister’s death. But first, she must learn how to use and harness her superpowers to defeat her enemies and save her family from destruction.

It is produced by Rififi Pictures, producers of Tell Me Sweet Something and Material.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, “Movies like King of Boys, Merry Men and The Bling Lagosian have shown how much our members love Nigerian movies. So, we’re incredibly excited to be investing in Made in Nigeria stories – bringing them to audiences all around the world.

The lineup for the 23rd annual Urbanworld Film Festival was announced Friday, with Tony-award winning broadway actor Cynthia Erivo and Emmy award-winning director Roger Ross Williams making appearances at the event, which is geared towards representing and celebrating diverse, international voices in film, music videos, television, screenplays and shorts.

Director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons will open the festival Sept 18 with her Focus Features biopic “Harriet,” following the influential life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman who led slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Following the screening, star Erivo, Lemmons and executive producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg will discuss the film with CBS This Morning Saturday’s Michelle Miller moderating. Lemmons is this year’s festival ambassador.

Other notable films include HBO’s documentary “The Apollo,” which features archival footage to chronicle the history of Harlem’s landmark venue the Apollo Theater. A Q&a with director Williams and...

Filmmaker Akin Omotoso’s latest film Vaya first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016 to critical praise and continued to make its rounds around the festival circuit and earned him the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Director before landing at Ava DuVernay’s Array. The film is set for a screening tour and a simultaneous Netflix release today but none of this would have never happened because Omotoso initially wanted to be…a lawyer.

Omotoso tells Deadline with a laugh that while in school his guidance counselors said, “You like to argue a lot, so maybe you should be a lawyer, so I had this thing in my head that I was gonna be a lawyer.”

“When I look back now, I just feel like I would have been a very unhappy lawyer,” he admits.

Born in Nigeria, Omotoso moved to South Africa and despite having his...

Exclusive: Ava DuVernay announced Tuesday that her film collective Array Releasing has acquired their 19th feature with Vaya. The South African coming-of-age drama from Nigerian filmmaker Akin Omotoso is set for a national screening tour as well as a Nov. 1 debut on Netflix.

Array has acquired distribution rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand territories.

Vaya, which made its world premiere in 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival, weaves together a trio stories of the innocence lost by three young South Africans who journey away from their rural homes on a train bound for Johannesburg. The film culminates in an explosive moment based on real accounts. Vaya marks the fourth feature film for Omotoso and his first collaboration with first-time feature cinematographer Kabelo Thathe.

“Through Vaya, actor turned director Akin Omotoso centers on South Africa’s diverse communities to explore the universal experiences related to coming of age,...

Chewing Gum's Susan Wokoma is to star in Akin Omotoso's supernatural feature The Ghost and the House of Truth. Wokoma, who was named one of BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits in 2017, will play a counsellor, whose young daughter goes missing and she attempts to catch the perpetrator in the film, which is produced by Ego Boyo's Temple Productions. Directed by Vaya and A Hotel Called Memory director Omotoso Kate Henshaw (Aremu The Principal) and Fabian Adeoye (Comatose) also star…...

Chewing Gum's Susan Wokoma is to star in Akin Omotoso's supernatural feature The Ghost and the House of Truth. Wokoma, who was named one of BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits in 2017, will play a counsellor, whose young daughter goes missing and she attempts to catch the perpetrator in the film, which is produced by Ego Boyo's Temple Productions. Directed by Vaya and A Hotel Called Memory director Omotoso Kate Henshaw (Aremu The Principal) and Fabian Adeoye (Comatose) also star…...

All relationships are complicated. Very complicated. No relationship is simple.

South African filmmaker Kagiso Lediga stars and directs the romantic comedy Catching Feelings, which is making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival this month.

The film stars almost an entirely black South African cast including Pearl Thusi (Quantico), Andrew Buckland (Shot Down), Akin Omotoso (Blood Diamond), Precious Makgaretsa (Blitzpatrollie), Kate Liquorish (Eye in the Sky), Tessa Jubber (Wallander), and Tyson Cross (The Avengers).

Here’s the synopsis of the film:

Max Matshane (Lediga), is a 34-year-old author who wrote a South African bestseller in his 20s, but whose star has waned and now finds himself as a disgruntled professor, teaching creative writing at the local university. Max lives in a leafy Johannesburg suburb with his exceptionally beautiful wife, Samkelo (Thusi), who career is on the rise as a reputable journalist. Despite their love for each other, their relationship has hit a rut.

May is arguably NYC’s best month weather-wise, so the pressure is on to take advantage of all the city’s offerings in these fleeting days of perfection. Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best events our humble boroughs have to offer this week, including film, theater, and more! Celebrate Cinco with Mexican history.What better way to celebrate Mexican history than with Mexican artists debuting their work in the U.S. for the first time? 92 Y will hosts Dig Dance Cinco de Mayo: Mexican Choreographers from City to Mountain on May 5 (of course), celebrating the “rich, sophisticated, and earthy work of Mexican choreographers, as varied as the states from which they come.” (Tickets start at $20) Immerse yourself in African artistry.Co-presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music, the annual New York African Film Festival returns this week with its usual offerings of exquisite works.

Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Kicks Off the Summer With a Sci-Fi Action-Comedy

After three weeks of dominating the box office, Universal’s The Fate of the Furious is going to have to give way to a new movie, and that’s because the first weekend of May means that it’s officially...The Summer Movie Season!!!!

Just like the last couple years, the summer movie season is kicking off with a new movie from Marvel Studios, and their sequel Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol. 2 (Marvel Studios/Disney), reunites Chris Pratt as Starlord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Michael Rooker’s Yondu with the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as Groot and Rocket Racoon, for the next...

Berlin’s Panorama lineup also includes new films from Us, China and Brazil.

Berlin’s Panorama strand is now complete following the addition of 24 additional titles.

A total of 51 works from 43 countries have been chosen for screening in the section, including 21 in Panorama Dokumente and 29 feature films in the main programme and Panorama Special. 36 of these films will be getting their world premieres at the Berlinale.

The German production Tiger Girl by Jakob Lass will open this year’s edition of Panorama Special at Berlin’s Zoo Palast cinema, along with the previously announced Brazilian production Vazante.

Among newly confirmed films are UK Sundance title God’s Own Country, Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name, Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome, feminist fairy tale The Misandrists by Berlinale regular Bruce Labruce, Erik Poppe’s The King’s Choice and Belgian-French-Lebanese co-production Insyriated which stars Hiam Abbass as a woman trapped in an apartment during war.[p...

Continuing with 2016 Toronto International Film Festival diaspora highlights… Nigerian filmmaker Akin Omotoso’s acclaimed 2011 crime drama “Man On Ground” traveled the international film festival circuit, winning over audiences and critics alike, throughout its run, after its premiere at the Toronto International… Continue Reading →...

South Africa's Akin Omotoso is on something of a hot streak. Already a well known and respected actor seen in titles such as Blood Diamond, Shake Hands With The Devil and Lord Of War, Omotoso came to international attention as a director with 2011 drama Man On Ground. Omotoso has kept busy on both sides of the camera since then, scoring a huge local boxoffice hit with romcom Tell Me Sweet Something and is now back on the international festival circuit with his latest directorial effort Vaya, due to have its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Nhlanhla has no money to pay for his girlfriend’s dowry. His problems seem to be solved when his cousin Xolani, from the big city tells him...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Nigerian metropolis Lagos is the focus of the eighth City To City showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) as top brass anoint two international Rising Stars.

Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.

A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.

Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.

Rounding out the...

Nigerian capital Lagos is the focus of the eighth City To City showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) as top brass anoint two international Rising Stars.

Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.

A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.

Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.

Rounding out the...