Netflix has partnered with Nigerian filmmaker Mo’ Abudu in new major collaborative deal.
What We Know
- To continue its support of African filmmaking, Netflix has announced its recent partnership with Mo’ Abudu female Nigerian filmmaker. Abuda’s production company, EbonyLife TV, would become the first African and Nigerian production company to sign a multiple deal Netflix.. This collaboration hopes to help create new content in the West African country.
📣We’ve got MAJOR news for you today! Netflix has partnered with acclaimed producer @MoAbudu to bring you two of Nigeria’s most beloved literary classics to screens around the world! 📚🎥 pic.twitter.com/3zAE4zAndH
— Netflix Nigeria (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
- After founding Ebonylife TV in 2012, Abudu produced over 5,000 hours of original television content. She has helped release major Nollywood film like “Fifty” and ” The Wedding Party”, the most successful Nigerian film of all time. She has also produced the top three grossing Nigerian films through EbonyLife TV.
- The partnership with Netflix will also highlight two Nigerian writers, Lola Shoneyin and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka. Shoneyin’s best selling debut novel “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” is to be adapted into a television series and Soyinka’s play “Death and The King’s Horseman” into a film. Abudu will produce an original series and film as well. This partnership comes after her three year contract with Sony Productions in 2018 which included her production of the highly anticipated Dahomey warrior series.
- “Mo is at the forefront of creative storytelling in African television.” said Dorothy Ghettuba, the lead for Netflix’s new African series.”We’re thrilled about this first-of-its-kind partnership in Africa that will bring some of Nigeria — and Africa’s most iconic storytelling to screen.”Mo’ Abudu took to twitter to connect with her fans and show her thanks. “It truly is time to tell our stories and I am super pleased that we have an opportunity to do this.”
I am excited about our slate of Netflix Original projects to be produced by EBONYLIFE STUDIOS. First on our list is 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives' based on the book by the super talented writer @LolaShoneyin. https://t.co/dipOUbEwf0
— Mo Abudu (@MoAbudu) June 12, 2020
- This announcement marks another collaboration as Netflix tries to expand into Africa. In March, the company partnered with another black creative,John Boyega, and his UpperRoom Productions. The two are set to release three films together, two from Nigeria and one from Egypt. Shows like “Queen Somo” and “Blood & Water and Mama K’s Team 4” are also set to release on the streaming platform.
You can stream Abudu’s film “Fifty” on Netflix right now.
