Filmmaker Mo Abudu Joins the Oscars Academy

Media mogul, filmmaker and entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, (Oscars), as one of 29 producers, and the only African and Nigerian in this category. 

“I am deeply appreciative of this invitation to join the Academy, and in line with my vision to support and develop African content, I will use the opportunity to network for our filmmakers and raise awareness of the incredible value the continent’s filmmakers add to the remarkable world of motion pictures,”  Mo Abudu said.

Abudu, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson of EbonyLife Media, which includes EbonyLife TV, EbonyLife Studios, among others, has been described by Forbes as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman”.

She is listed by the US magazine Business Insider amongst the top 100 business visionaries creating value for the world and rated as one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by The Hollywood Reporter.

Starting her media journey in 2006 with Africa’s first syndicated talk show, called “Moments with Mo”, Abudu later launched EbonyLife TV (ELtv) in 2013, Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network on DStv producing 5000 original hours of African content.

Her EbonyLife Films, set up in 2015, has produced seven films to date, including the two listed by the Academy: Oloture and The Royal Hibiscus, and some of the highest-grossing Nollywood blockbusters.

EbonyLife Studios has signed co-production deals with AMC Networks (USA) to produce Nigeria 2099, an Afrofuturistic crime-drama, a three-scripted deal with Sony Pictures Television, and in late 2020 the company made history as the first African and first Nigerian company to sign a deal with Netflix in Africa.

Earlier this year, they teamed up with Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios to co-produce at least two series and one film, all connected to the African continent.

And Sony Pictures Television announced an exclusive deal with EbonyLife Media, in which they get the exclusive ‘first-look” on all new EbonyLife-controlled scripted television projects created, originated, or developed by or for EbonyLife that are intended for global audiences.

Source: Daily Trust.

Stephanie Ingbian