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Tag: Ebonylife

  • Ebonylife Films to screen Iyawo Mi, Her Perfect Life

    Ebonylife Films to screen Iyawo Mi, Her Perfect Life

    Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films have concluded plans to screen two fresh productions, ‘Iyawo Mi,’ and ‘Her Perfect Life,’ on Sunday, September 24  in Lagos.

    The two productions will be screened to a private audience at the EbonyLife place situated on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    While Abudu and her team are excited about the two screenings, it is unsure if the two productions are going on a cinema voyage or straight to streaming platforms.

    Read Also: Even Michael Jackson couldn’t survive ‘darkness’ in music industry – Slimcase

     The first production, ‘Her Perfect Life’ features Pearl Thusi, Joseph Benjamin, Omawunmi Dada, Uzo Osimpka, Christian Paul, Mary Lazarus and tells the story of 39-year-old Onajite Johnson-Ibrahim, who seems to have the perfect life – a flourishing career, a growing business, a loving husband and two bright, beautiful children but wants to end it all.

    The second production, ‘Iyawo Mi’ (My Wife) tells the story of Kunle, who arrives home one night to find a horror awaiting him. His wife, Eniola, seems to have gone mad; hallucinating, screaming at their children and neighbours, and threatening to kill everyone. Kunle takes matters into his own hands, with tragic consequences. The production features Adedimeji Lateef, Bolaji Ogunmola, Segun Arinze and Jude Chukwuka.

  • EbonyLife partners Funke Akindele on ‘Your Excellency’

    EbonyLife Films has partnered with top film-maker Funke Akindele on their new production ‘Your Excellency’ slated for release in December 2019.

    While this is Funke’s debut as a feature film director, production has begun on the sizzling political satire with an all-star cast.

    Funke Akindele will also act in a leading role.

    Mo Abudu, Executive Producer, is feeling good about the movie’s prospects. “EbonyLife Films is really excited to have Funke Akindele at the helm, directing her first feature. Her knack for telling a good story, her comedic instincts and an incredible work ethic make her the perfect choice for this film. Everyone will be able to relate to the characters and the way in which social media is shaping our lives and the country’s future,” she said.

    Speaking from the set, “Your Excellency has a great script, excellent cast and an experienced production team, so I’m looking forward to making the best possible film. It’s great to be working with Aunty Mo again, so soon after the success of Chief Daddy, and hopefully we can make another hit movie,” says Funke Akindele.

    Your Excellency tells the story of Chief Olalekan Ajadi, a bumbling, billionaire businessman and failed presidential candidate, who is obsessed with Donald Trump. Just when his campaign looks set to be another disaster, Ajadi is anointed by a major party and becomes a credible contender – all through the power of social media. As the political drama unfolds, it seems possible that even the most inept candidate, with little to offer voters except viral soundbites and amusing antics, can mount a serious challenge for the presidency.

    The cast include Funke Akindele, Lala Akindoju, Shaffy Bello, Kunle Coker, Ekun Edewor, Alex Ekubo, Oreka Godis, Osas Ighodaro, Mike Iheuwa, Seyi Law, Akin Lewis, Bimbo Manuel, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ini Dima-Okojie, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah, Emmanuel OMG, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Helen Paul and Toni Tones.

    The movie was written by Yinka Ogun, with Isioma Osaje and James Amuta producing.

  • Chief Daddy premieres Sunday in Lagos

    Following the wild success of its previous movies, Fifty, The Wedding Party and its sequel The Wedding Party 2, EbonyLife Films will be holding a grand premiere for its latest movie, Chief Daddy. The long-awaited premiere will take place this Sunday, December 2nd, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

    Already garnering major buzz on the internet, the premiere is expected to be the most talked-about movie event of the year. It boasts a long guest list of dignitaries, business heavyweights, socialites and celebrities, and is already sold out. Particularly contributing to its grandeur, is the dress code and theme of the premiere, ‘Opulently Nigerian – Be Extra’, which celebrates the richness and extravagance of Nigerian fashion culture.

    In contrast to the premiere of The Wedding Party 2, which was inspired by the movie’s glamorous locations in Dubai, the Chief Daddy premiere will portray all things Nigerian; from the décor to the food, the variety of activities and entertainment will fully embrace the country’s various cultures.

    Looking forward to the event, executive producer Mo Abudu said, “We are delighted to finally premiere this film. It’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait for our guests to experience this fun-packed movie. This premiere will be Nigerian-centric, showcasing and appreciating the sophistication and glamour embedded within our culture. We want to create a unique experience.”

    At the event, which is sponsored by Keystone Bank, Dubai Tourism, Airtel, Johnnie Walker, Bollinger and Luminous, guests will be serenaded with music from Shuga Band and a special live performance from the breakout star of the movie, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana. Following the reception, an after-party will be held at the same venue, where guests can unwind to music from DJ Crowd Controller.

    Chief Daddy will be out in cinemas from December 14th and fans can also look forward to the official music video for the movie’s theme song, ’The Famzy Anthem (Moving Mad)’, which will debut on the same day.

  • EbonyLife wraps up filming of Chief Daddy

    Targeting another yuletide, EbonyLife Films has wrapped up production for a new movie ‘Chief Daddy’ which is set for a December release across the country.

    Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and set in Lagos, the movie tells the story of a billionaire business man, Chief Beecroft, a flamboyant benefactor to a very extended family of relatives, household staff and assorted mistresses. He lives large, like there’s no tomorrow, until the day he dies suddenly and the ‘gravy boat’ seems to dry up. But then, the unexpected happens.

    “It has been a gratifying filming period and we’re thrilled to start the post-production phase,” said Mo Abudu, the Executive Producer of the movie who is looking forward to commencing the next stage of the filmmaking process for Chief Daddy.

    “Seeing all the hard work come together on screen is quite satisfying. We look forward to putting the finishing touches to the film and getting it ready for moviegoers to enjoy when it’s released in December.”

    EbonyLife Films has produced movies like Fifty, The Wedding Party, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.

    Abudu also made it known that the channel has been granted the license to broadcast the fairy tale love story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on her channel.

    The documentary will premiere on May 19, 2018 at 5pm CAT/4pm WAT.

    The producer shared the news on her Instagram page. “We are very excited to be the only Nigerian broadcaster to bring you this special Harry and Meghan; we are a few days away from walking down the aisle,” she wrote.

    “Who else is excited about this? Join me as we take a look inside the modern-day fairy tale love story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, brought to Africa and exclusive to EbonyLifeTV.”

  • Rahama Sadau stars in EbonyLife TV’s Sons of the Caliphate

    Rahama Sadau stars in EbonyLife TV’s Sons of the Caliphate

    Come Thursday, October 13, EbonyLife TV will premiere Sons of the Caliphate, a drama series based on the lives of rich, entitle, passionate and ambitious young men, Kalifah, Nuhu and Diko.

    All three are caught up in the hidden corners of power, the darkness of addiction, the heat of love and desire, the obligations of family loyalty, and the craving for revenge.

    Producers say that the 13-part drama series will take the audience on a journey into the rich, cultural and flamboyant aristocratic lifestyle of Northern Nigeria as they get to see what happens when elections are fast approaching and how the tussle for the governorship seat heats up the polity in the Northern Caliphate State of Kowa.

    Created, written and produced by Dimbo and Karachi Atiya, Sons of the Caliphate is set to reposition the stereotypes about Northern Nigeria in a way people have not imagined before.

    Sons of the Caliphate stars some of the most prominent names in the Film and TV industry, including Patrick Doyle, Mofe Duncan, Sani Muazu and Rahama Sadau, who plays the role of Binta Kutigi a confident, intelligent, witty and composed Northern ‘chick’ who is stylish, elegant and yet traditional. Rahama was however recently banned from Kannywood.

    “We at EbonyLife TV stand with Rahama Sadau and remain proud of the work she has done thus far. We believe that nobody is above mistake and we all deserve second chances. We certainly hope that the ban is revoked so that Rahama can continue her career and blossom to her full potential,” a statement from the producers read.

  • EBONYLIFE FILMS PRESENTS ‘THE WEDDING PARTY’

    CASHING in on the success of its previous production, Fifty, EbonyLife Films has announced the making of a romantic comedy, The Wedding Party.

    Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party tells the story of Dunni Coker, a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents who is about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie. The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.

    The date has been set and the bride’s parents, who have recently enjoyed a surge in their fortunes, are going all out to make this the wedding of the century. Dunni’s about to be mother-in-law, Obianuju is having second thoughts about allowing her son marry into a family she considers as beneath them.

    Between matchmaking attempts on the bridal train, a wedding planner on a mission to succeed, the unruly behaviour of some ‘village’ guests and the groom’s ex-girlfriends looking to make their mark, it is clear the Wedding Party will be the talk of the town.

    The movie is directed by award-winning filmmaker and New York Film School alumnus, Kemi Adetiba and, according to information, will be in cinemas nationwide in December 2016.

    Written by playwright, Tosin Otudeko, The Wedding Party is collaboration by some of Africa’s leading film powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios, respectively.

    The Wedding Party is the second offering from EbonyLife Films after last year’s Fifty.

  • EbonyLife TV expands operations

    ABOUT to enter its third year of operations, EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global entertainment and lifestyle network is now expanding its operations to more Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos and Calabar.

    According to a statement by the Station, ‘The channel’s purpose for this multi-location operations is to meet its goal of programme specialisation as well as market inclusion.’

    In this new phase its drama programmes will be produced in Calabar. Some dramas already scheduled for production there include The Governor, Desperate Housewives Africa, Cinderella, Dynasty and Melrose Place. The latter two: Dynasty and Melrose Place are EbonyLife TV’s two new classic series recently acquired from CBS Studios International (CBSSI).

    The Governor, a riveting 13-part drama series, currently being shot in Calabar, shows the intrigues which arise when Governor Peter Akala dies from an automobile accident. Already, EbonyLife TV has shown commitment to Calabar as its city of choice, as The Governor, is being shot in over 12 different locations in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, while approximately 40 local actors have been cast in Calabar.

    Also, Cinderella- An African Tale, a 6 part mini-series modern African adaptation of the famous and absorbing fairytale is set to be filmed in February 2016 while adaptation scripting of Dynasty and Melrose Place, compelling acquisitions from CBS Studios International (CBSSI) will commence in early 2016.

    Whereas Calabar remains a most critical and integral aspect of the channel’s operations and will ultimately be known as its Home of Drama, Lagos will be known as EbonyLife TV’s home of Entertainment.

    The channel has also expanded its operations to Abuja. In its bid to continuously champion the cause of its teeming youth viewership on the issues of politics and governance, EbonyLife TV now has a team of correspondents and production crew covering the Villa, bringing its audiences news and views in and around the centre of power in Nigeria. Its recently commissioned 13-part drama series, Sons of The Caliphate, is currently being shot in the city. Sons of The Caliphate is a political drama set in the North of Nigeria about three rich, entitled and ambitious young men all caught up in the lust for power, addiction, love and desire, as well as the obligations of family loyalty and the craving for revenge in the deadly tussle for the governorship seat of the Northern Caliphate State.

  • EbonyLife TV adds ‘Melrose Place’, ‘Dynasty’ to bouquet

    EbonyLife TV adds ‘Melrose Place’, ‘Dynasty’ to bouquet

    THERE are indications that popular lifestyle network, EbonyLife TV is prepared for the much anticipated transition to digital broadcasting. The platform which prides itself as Africa’s first global black entertainment network, has been in the news in recent times for content development and acquisition. Having just premiered Fifty, a star-studded female-centric Nigerian film, the company has acquired the rights to blockbuster series; Melrose Place and Dynasty from CBS Studios International.

    Melrose Place which is set in and named after an apartment block in the West Hollywood district of Los Angeles, chronicles the lives of a group of young adults, each with their own dreams and drives. A doctor and a budding fashion designer, roommates who later fall in love and a man with no love life are some of the tenants in this tiny apartment complex that boasts a very interesting and spellbinding way of life.

    Dynasty, an ’80s American drama series is about a wealthy but dysfunctional oil-rich family and the conflict between two large corporations: Denver Carrington and Colby Co. It is an irresistible and spellbinding story of passion, glamour, catfights and the biggest shoulder pads in Denver. Dynasty was the long-running primetime soap fueled by an all-star cast and ‘sexsational’ storylines.

    Not resting on her oars regarding content for television, CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, who just returned from the world’s film and television content market, MIPCOM, in Cannes, France says, “We’re highly pleased to have acquired the format rights for Melrose Place and Dynasty, two of the most iconic and unforgettable series from CBSSI, the home of some of the world’s most amazing storylines and electrifying series! Coming on the heels of our co-production partnership with the Walt Disney Company on the production of Desperate Housewives Africa, based on the multiple award winning ABC Television drama hit series, Desperate Housewives, we can’t wait to bring our viewers globally Africa’s versions of these multiple Golden Globe nominee thrillers.”

    According to Roxanne Pompa, Vice President, International Sales & Production for CBS Studios International, “This is a first for CBS Studios International’s scripted formats and we are thrilled to be working with Ebony Life to develop these two iconic series for the African market.”

    For EbonyLife TV, there is need for global co-production partnerships on hugely successful formats in furtherance of its vision to be the preferred global network for premium African entertainment platform.

    It will be recalled that one of EbonyLife’s projects, Desperate Housewives Africa is the first drama format ever to be made in Africa.

  • EbonyLife TV hosts Buhari

    EbonyLife TV hosts Buhari

    Entertainment and lifestyle network, EbonyLife TV, on Wednesday, hosted President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and young professionals in Washington, D.C. to a ‘Meet & Greet’ interactive session.

    The session, held in honour of the President’s historic visit to the United States, had young technocrats and professionals across a wide range of career and business endeavours in attendance. Guests had the rare opportunity of sitting face-to-face with the president to discourse issues of national importance.

    The president’s entourage had Governors Rochas Okorocha, Adams Oshiomhole, Abiola Ajimobi, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, among others in attendance.

    Addressing the congregation, President Buhari thanked the channel and Diaspora young professionals for according him the opportunity to grace the interactive session. He restated his promise to tackle insurgency and general insecurity in the country, while emphasising his determination to build a vibrant economy as well as invest heavily in the education sector.

    Host of the Meet & Greet, and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, thanked the president for allowing the inclusion of the interactive youth programme in his very busy schedule.

    “We thank you, Mr. President for taking time out of your incredibly busy schedule to meet with our young professionals in the Diaspora. Mr. President, you are loved and those here today are just a tiny percentage of the youths that wanted to be here today but whom we just could not accommodate. Please, Mr. President, our youth truly want to engage with you. I have been overwhelmed these last few days with the outpouring of love and participation from them towards this event and I’m sure they would love another opportunity to make a similar and more inclusive event possible,” she stated.

  • Mo Abudu unveils plans for 50th birthday celebration

    Mo Abudu unveils plans for 50th birthday celebration

    CELEBRATED talk show queen and EbonyLife TV CEO, Mo Abudu, will turn 50 in September. Towards the forthcoming celebration, she has concluded plans to recognise50 unsung professionals drawn from different walks of life.

    The media personality, according to information, will be presenting awards to 50 deserving and unsung women in the society who are innovative and committed to making an impact on the nation.

    Tagged Mo @ 50: Celebrating Sisterhood, the celebration will also consider individuals who have outstanding performances and are making a difference in their chosen professions.

    “I want to celebrate those who are not often celebrated or not celebrated enough, but who are making significant impacts in their particular areas of influence,” the EbonyLife TV boss said.

    Mo Abudu is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV. The station has been described as Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network.

    In recognition of her outstanding work in diverse fields, especially in the field of media and her service to humanity, she has been honoured with many laurels, including recognition by Forbes Media as the first African woman to launch a pan-African TV channel.

    She was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate degree (HonorisCausa) from the Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State.