Nigerian producer, Mo Abudu have signed a multi-title Netflix contract.
EbonyLife, Abudu’s production company, is the first African manufacturing company to enter into such an arrangement with the streaming giant.
“The conversation started months and months ago, we’ve been talking about it for ages. But it’s the first of its type on the continent, it’s never been done,” Abudu told The Hollywood Reporter.
“I pray there are many more [like us], because it will be great to see so many more filmmakers and storytellers empowered on the continent, but we are the first. It’s been wonderful working with them.
The first title in the contract, Oloture’s original Netflix movie, is scheduled to be released next month. The show will concentrate on a young journalist from Nigeria revealing the world of trafficking in human beings.
“I’ve often said that Africa, as a continent, we’ve remained so quiet. We’ve been so quiet, and our stories have just never been told,” Abudu went on to explain. “Now we’re talking about Black Lives Matter, and Black stories matter.
“And a lot of the broadcasters are saying that it’s time now for there to be more Black stories on screen and more Black creatives involved in the process. But I’m happy to say that, you know, we started our journey with Netflix before then.
Among EbonyLife’s Netflix titles, there will be a Lagos-set legal series called Castle & Castle; a sequel to the production company’s hit Chief Daddy; Death and the King’s Horseman, a film based on a play by Nigeria’s first Nobel Prize laureate Wole Soyinka; an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s book The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
Sharing the good news on Friday, Mo captioned:
Good morning beautiful people ❤️❤️❤️
I am delighted to share this article with you from The Hollywood Reporter.
“As a continent, We’ve Remained So Quiet” It’s all about to change. I am so happy to be part of the change.
I am truly honored and proud of having this special moment and EXCLUSIVE interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Founded in 1930, it is one of the most respected weekly magazines with a focus on Hollywood film, television and entertainment industries.
We truly are changing the narrative.
We thank our partners, Netflix, Sony, AMC and all the others soon to be announced in due course.
Giving God all the glory 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you so much Alex and thank you – The Hollywood Reporter for giving me an opportunity to share my story.
