Catching up on EFM panels I missed in Berlin in Feb. Thankful they were taped. Watching "Prime Video: International Content Strategy from Nordics to Nigeria" hoping to learn something about Amazon's Nigeria plans. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu Head of Nigerian Originals, is on the panel...
Wangi on what she looks for in projects: "Light" stories; stay away from the dark material. Leaning more towards films than TV because TV is "a bit more technical." She wouldn't mind historical fiction, but they tend to be expensive, so don't expect epic productions. #Nollywood
Wangi on their target audience: Must appeal to local customers (Nigerians in Nigeria), but the work should also capture the Nigerian diaspora, and, third, non-Nigerian lovers of Nollywood content. Local content will be king to @primevideonaija and international will support it.
@primevideonaija She hypes GANGS OF LAGOS, adding that it's launching "Very, very soon... it's about to come," she said. She describes it as "a different take on action" because it's "hyperlocal" (language, location, choice of weapons, etc). And that there's an "emotional story" bolstering it.
She says their ambition is to get to 12 to 15 "full blown" Nigerian originals — film and TV (scripted and unscripted) "down the line." She doesn't get too specific. For now, it's acquisitions of existing titles. She's impressed with what they've been getting on the film side.
Finally, her pitch to Nigerian talent to come create for Prime.
Wangi: It's a partnership. "Let's go on this journey together and see what we can accomplish." She stresses "hyperlocal" as a draw. Plus, she's been in the biz long enough, has a rep, and already knows who's who.
Forgot one thing... she said, if you're pitching them, keep it short and simple: a logline, and a one-page outline of what you are pitching. She refers to a "handholding" process courtesy of her team, that will "bring it to wherever it's going." Alright, that's it!
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#Berlinale2023: KILL BOKSOON. Assassin (and single mom) in the twilight years of her career. Secrets and lies abound. Action is JOHN WICK + THE MATRIX, on steroids. Punctuated by lengthy existential chatter, ultimately a last man standing affair. Jeon Do-yeon kills it. Literally.
#Sundance Day 1. Shorts so far. A standout: Crystal Kayiza's "Rest Stop." Beautifully shot tender portrait a Ugandan-American mother and daughter traveling by bus from NY to OK to reunite with family. Will Ferrell is listed as exec producer. I assume it's him #AkorokoAtSundance
More shorts. Standout: Norwegian Inga E Marakatt's "Unborn Biru": pregnant widow steals cursed silver from dead body to care for daughter. Unnerving slow burn horror, especially considering the tundra on which it was shot. It's a feature film begging to happen #AkorokoAtSundance
Ended #Sundance Day 1 with my first feature film of the festival. But I can't talk about it yet because there's an embargo. I just had to say that for journaling continuity 😏. Overall, it was a solid day of film watching! Until tomorrow, here's some swag... #AkorokoAtSundance
It's "next week!" As promised, as part of our ongoing fundraising campaign, we're giving away subscriptions to our fave streaming platforms. We've given away subscriptions to Criterion and MUBI. This week, we're giving away TWO annual subscriptions to @kweliTV. Read on...
@kweliTV We're giving away TWO year-long kweliTV subscriptions. To enter, sign up for the @akorokoafrica
weekly newsletter. The deadline is Thursday, Oct. 13 at 11:59 PM PST. The two winners will be selected randomly and announced on Friday, Oct. 14. Register: akoroko.com/newsletter/
@kweliTV@akorokoafrica Recommended films currently available to stream on kweliTV include: B FOR BOY (Nigeria), I AM NOT A WITCH (Zambia), FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES (South Africa), and OJUJU (NIGERIA).
Historically, much of the discourse about the African continent painted a broad picture of hopelessness, and desperation across the continent. And that includes its cinema.
The international media (film and television especially) certainly played a significant role in shaping those perceptions. The last decade has seen a 180-degree shift, presenting an Africa that’s “on the rise.” Is it?
What’s more likely: headlines that, for too long, denigrated a continent with cynical caricatures, and false constructions, were, at best, misleading. And recent dominant assertions of a continent “on the rise,” are incomplete. The true reality is likely somewhere in the middle.
Thanks to everyone who's supported in one way or another so far. First full day of the campaign in the books and just over 3% of the minimum goal raised.
A number of events planned for the duration of the 30-day campaign, including an unprecedented conversation series with 30 film and television professionals serving the African space. Here are some of them...
As well as year-long subscription giveaways to my fave streaming platforms — Criterion Channel, MUBI, kweliTV.