This Week in Nollywood: Prime Surprises With Loaded Content Releases + Nollywood Ramps Up Productions
March is shaping up to be Nollywood's busiest month yet with Prime seeming to offload content on the audience and studios teasing new releases. Here's what you need to know.
This Week in Nollywood is a recapitulation of the significant events in the industry this week. While you were busy chasing the bag during the week, Nollywood was cooking! Here are the things you missed.
Happy new month to you!
This week is a loaded one for Nollywood with March turning out to be a month with the highest release lineup in recent times. This is a rundown of the events in Nollywood this week in case you missed it.
Mimi Bartels joins Anakle Films as Creative Head and Co-founder
Anakle Films, the production company behind the globally successful Netflix feature The Black Book, has announced former Film One executive Mimi Bartels as its new creative head and co-founder.
In her previous role as General Manager at Film One, Bartels oversaw the production of projects like Adire and the studio’s collaboration with Funke Akindele’s highest-grossing film Battle on Buka Street.
She will now focus on driving growth and success at Anakle.
Read more here.
Teaser out for Russel Oru’s The Waiting Song
As part of an untitled three-part anthology, Russel Oru’s short film The Waiting Song explores the story of a prostitute whose encounter with a client will alter the course of her life.
The film explores the philosophical and spiritual theme of the Chi in Igbo cosmology. It stars actors Etta JoMaria, Brutus Richard, and Amaka Nwoye.
Ajosepo’s gets a cinema release date
Kayode Kasum’s comedy Ajosepo centers on two estranged brothers - Jide and Dapo - who have to reunite at Dapo's wedding to solve a complicated situation involving their father and the bride’s aunt.
The film features star actors including Bisola Aiyeola, Yemi Solade, Mercy Aigbe, Timini Egbuson.
It will premiere in cinemas on April 10.
Multichoice Talent Factory 2023 cohort to release Her Dark Past, a feature film
Things begin to go south for a high-flying social media influencer and life coach when a child she abandoned for dead gives way to the secrets that imperil her seemingly perfect world: unearthing the trauma she daily fights to bury.
The feature film, courtesy of the Multichoice Talent Factory 2023, is directed by Oluwatobi Deborah Ahmed and Samuel Oluwasegun Ogundeyi.
The film stars Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Daniel Etim Effiong and Iremide Adeoye
Africa Magic set to premiere 300 Films On Showcase, Urban, and Indigenous Channels
Africa Magic, the continent’s foremost provider of African entertainment content, is gearing up to delight viewers with the premiere of 300 films this month. Every day in March, these new movies will grace the screens of the selected Africa Magic channels, offering a diverse range of genres — from comedy to romance and thriller to family dramas, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Executive Head, of Content and Channels West Africa, MultiChoice, Dr Busola Tejumola, reiterated Africa Magic's commitment to providing endless entertainment to its viewers, stating, "Entertainment has the power to bring people together and inspire positive change. With our commitment to quality content and innovation, we are excited to redefine African entertainment. We have carefully curated a selection of 155 films that reflect the dynamism of our continent, offering viewers an array of diverse narratives that showcase the beauty of African culture, society, and identity.”
March will see a mix of diverse films, including Kiisi, Eri Ife, Ekun Mefa, Mai Shayi 01, Madubin Gobe, Anurika, Ogu Love, and Ndi Ajo Obi — among others, on the indigenous channels. While other channels will air movies like All Mine, Grown, Her Dark Past, The Boss, Due Date, and Why Women Kill.
All these are aired across Africa Magic Showcase (Ch. 151), Urban (Ch. 153), and Indigenous channels (Ch. 156, 157, and 159) this March, creating an exhilarating entertainment experience for viewers.
Ebonylife wraps principal photography for new series, Baby Farm
Film production company Ebonylife has announced the conclusion of principal photography for its new series Baby Farm.
Directed by Kayode Kasum and Walter Banger, Baby Farm explores the quest of human need and ethics, promising an in-depth look into how far individuals would go in their desire for parenthood.
It features a star cast that includes Rita Dominic, Onyiye Odokoro, Joseph Benjamin, Genoveva Umeh and Kiki Omeli.
Baby Farm is expected to debut on Netflix.
What to watch this weekend
Anikulapo on Netflix
Ebuka Turns Up Africa on Prime
A Green Fever on Prime