Tag Archives: mo abudu
Mo Abudu Favours Funke Akindele On New Movie, Your Excellency
To ensure that the new work follows in the footsteps of the previous blockbusters, the company has partnered with award-winning actress and content producer Funke Akindele to direct the film and act in a leading role.
Assembly Of The Finest; Wedding Party 2 Premieres In Dubai
The premiere had some of Nigeria’s most celebrated and influential individuals in business, entertainment and politics in attendance, including the wife of the Vice-President of Nigeria, Mrs. Yemi Osinbajo; Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; former governor of Cross River State, Sen. Liyel Imoke and Mrs. Imoke; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank for Africa; Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank; Lady Maiden Ibru, Publisher, Guardian Newspaper; and Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman, ThisDay Newspapers.
In her keynote speech, Mrs Osinbajo expressed her enjoyment of the original film and praised the cast and crew for their desire to change the Nigerian narrative positively. “Thank you for showing a different Nigeria to the world – a beautiful and strong Nigeria,” she said.
Minister of Information and Culture, Hon. Lai Mohammed, spoke about how proud he was to be leading an industry that is growing and improving in leaps and bounds, exemplified by films such as The Wedding Party and its sequel. In turn, the honourable minister was lauded by members of the ELFIKE Collective for his exceptional leadership at the federal level and his accessibility, whenever his assistance and intervention are required.
Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Films, was grateful for the turnout. “Thank you all so much for showing up tonight; it means a lot to us. It is important to keep telling positive stories about Nigeria. You’re in for a treat with this sequel,” she said.
‘FIFTY’ Grosses N400M
FIFTY, the Box Office Smash Hit from EbonyLife Films, will this week close its remarkable 4-month cinema run in Nigeria. The much-talked about story of a pivotal week in the lives of four successful African Women in 21st century Lagos has redefined return on investment metrics in the African Film Industry. It is estimated that through various revenue generating streams, the film has grossed over ₦400m.
In partnership with Film One Distribution, FIFTY made nearly ₦100m through Box Office takings alone. Premiere Sponsorship/ Partnerships; Private screenings; a first-of-its-kind deal with Internet streaming provider, Netflix; In-flight Entertainment deals and Video-on-Demand (VOD) are amongst the other revenue streams.
Speaking on FIFTY’s cinema run, Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said “we started our cinema run in early December 2015 and four months later the film continues to resonate with moviegoers across the country. We are extremely proud and it is testament that Nigerians do support their own”.
The movie’s revenue intake leverages on a unique business model not previously explored in the Nigerian Film Industry. This model serves as proof to various stakeholders – producers, directors and investors – an unorthodox promotional mix combined with high quality production yields measurable results.
FIFTY enjoyed tremendous support from The Lagos State Government, The Federal Government, Corporate and Social Nigeria. Industry captains – Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Herbert Wigwe amongst many attended the premiere; Music superstars Banky W & Waje surprised fans with Cinema ‘Meet & Greet’ in Malls across the country.
A ‘Win Big with FIFTY’ promo was run nationwide with audiences walking away with weekly prizes including WAKANOW holidays, SPAR vouchers, Flat screen TVs courtesy of KONGA and more. The Grand Prize of a Brand new Mercedes Benz B-class courtesy Skymit Motors will be presented to a winner in April 2016.
FIFTY has enjoyed rave reviews and international acclaim since it was first screened at The BFI London Film Festival 2015 including BBC, CNN, Vogue, and Essence and other national online and print titles.
The success of FIFTY has spawned a television series, the movie executives announced that they will extend the movie’s success onto the small screen. The TV show will continue the premise that the movie set up – a week in the lives of 4 African Women approaching the golden age of ‘Fifty’. Details of whether the lead characters will reprise their film roles will be revealed in due course. Season 1 of FIFTY: The TV Series is set for production in Q4 2016, writing has already commenced.
‘FIFTY’ Marks 2016 International Women’s Day
To mark the 2016 International Women’s day, EbonyLife Films on the 8th of March 2016 hosted about 200 women to a special private champagne screening of the record smashing blockbuster FIFTY at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas in The Palms shopping mall Lekki, Lagos.
‘It is international women’s day and I thought it would be nice to extend a gesture to women everywhere of all ages and background and treat them to a private screening of our movie FIFTY. This is also a girl’s night out that will have champagne, popcorn and special cupcakes served all in a bid to celebrate women as we all have a story worth celebrating. It promises to be so much fun’, Mo Abudu, Founder of EbonyLife Films and Executive producer of ‘FIFTY’ says.
The movie has been described as Mo Abudu’s quest to showcase African women coming of age, loaded with increasingly similar aspirations and dilemmas faced by their contemporaries everywhere, while yet navigating unresolved traditions and obligations.
The star-studded special screening had in attendance a special blend of movie and music personalities, captains of industry and socialites including leading characters from the movie Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli, Nse Ikpe Etim, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju and Uzor Osimkpa who were presented with bouquets of flowers in celebration of their roles. Also present were Music sensations Omawunmi and Ruby Gyang, Mosun Ogunbanjo, Hollywood actress Kehinde Bankole and ‘woman’ of the moment Olajumoke Orisaguna amongst many others.
The women who worked behind the scenes of the movie FIFTY were not left out of the celebration as they were each presented with a gift by Mo Abudu.
As FIFTY Premieres In London
London was brought to a standstill on Saturday October 17, 2015, as the festival premiere of the enthralling motion picture, FIFTY, and the cast of A-list Nollywood stars quietened the usually raucous streets of London’s Leicester Square. This event marked the first African-style film premiere in London and witnessed the largest ever assembly of spectators during its screening at the London Film Festival.
The stars of the night were Omoni Oboli, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Wale Ojo. The celebrities were joined by the acclaimed creative director, Biyi Bandele and the award winning executive producer Mo Abudu.
In continuance of its world-wide acclaim and overwhelming appreciation, the much awaited FIFTY thrilled a grateful festival audience and enjoyed a rapturous and unending standing ovation. The movie is set for release nationwide on the 18th of December, 2015.
FIFTY captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are forced at midlife to take inventory of their personal lives, while juggling careers and family against the sprawling backdrops of the upper middle-class neighbourhoods of Lagos.
The four lead characters muster courage, put on their six-inch heels, working hard and partying too, and strut confidently to tackle life’s curveballs head-on.
With rave reviews, a world-class creative team (of vast Nigerian ancestry), and a tale that speaks directly to the psyche of every conscious Nigerian woman, Fifty is a poignant and hugely momentous chapter in Nigeria’s emergence on the world film stage. The film is set to redefine movie-making and movie-going in Africa.
FIFTY will premiere in Nigeria with a special Grand World Premiere on the 13th of December 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and there are a limited number of tables available at this grand premiere, so book your VVIP table now and be one of the first to watch FIFTY on the continent.
FIFTY will then be released in cinemas nationwide on the 18th of December, 2015.
Go out and support this African movie-magical experience where ever you are in the world as FIFTY also enjoys worldwide distribution via Netflix to 65 million homes globally.
Nigeria’s 100 Most Influential Women
In its quest to inspire a generation of women to do greater things in
diverse fields of endeavour, Y!/YNaija.com, in partnership with Leading
Ladies Africa project brings you Nigeria’s 100 Most Influential Women –
#YWomen100.
These are the ladies who steer the course of history in a usually male
dominated environment – they have acknowledged the glass ceiling but
they would not allow it hold down their lofty ambitions.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, we present to you the #YWomen100…
Abike Dabiri Erewa: After an enviable career as a broadcast journalist
in NTA, particularly with human angle stories on Newsline, Abike
extended her frontiers to what has been a very successful stint in
politics. We still expect to see/hear more from her in the future.
Adesuwa Oyenokwe: With over 30 years experience in journalism, Adesuwa
has run the entire gamut and is still re-inventing herself. From Today’s
Woman and One-on-One on NTA, to being the Publisher of TW Magazine, and
now hosting ‘Seriously Speaking,’ she proves that there is always room
to evolve.
