In preparation for the big screens Nollywood Debutting Director, Femi Adisa, hosted industry friends, cast and crew of his movie ‘King Invisible’.
The martial arts themed epic movie, stars African Magic Viewers’ Choice award winning Tope Tedela, Gabreal Afolayan, Omowunmi Dada.
A handsome warlord role played by Tope Tedela, is fast transitioning into a wolf due to the curse of the dogs that has been placed on him and he must immediately find the cure to this curse or be forever damned.
Tedela, speaking of his filming experience, told Channels Television that although the role was not an easy one, he had to get in tune with the character to make the script come alive.
“You need to really think deep about where the character is coming from, he had a back story that we knew, so It was just for me to work it to life.
“Also, the stunts and the physical preparation we had to do, helped to bring the character to life, so it was a mix-match”
Being the director’s first movie, Tedela said he had expressed concerns about how they would efectively pull the script off, especially as it seemed to be ‘novel-like’.
He however said that in the end, he was glad to be part of it.
Gabriel Afolayan also commenting on his filming experience, said: “professional actors will always have a little bit of concern if you are working with a first time director”.
He however stated that he was never in that zone with Femi Adisa because according to him, after taking a look at the script, he was convinced that the director knew what he was doing.
Gabriel Afolayan played the role of a prince who couldn’t wait to be king and subsequently, he felt Tedela’s character posed a threat to that ambition.
“I was told I was going to play the role of a prince but I did not know the dimension to the roll till I actually laid my hand on the script.
After reading it, he said he felt challenged to take up the role, as it was new to his person and his regular kind of roles.
According to Adisa, screening the movie, marks a major landmark in the project that technically began 13 years ago.
Omowunmi Dada, who was also cast in the movie, said shooting an epic movie isn’t a stroll in the park and although it seemed a bit challenging in the beginning, it ended up being successful.
“As a born actress, I said to myself are we going to really get it right but when I eventually saw it I was surprised” Omowunmi said.
Meanwhile, ‘King invisible’ has already been nominated in the best costume category for 2017 Africa Magic Viewer’s choice award.
The Real Housewives of Lagos will launch its season 3 on January 12, 2025. It will feature both returning stars and exciting new additions to its glamorous ensemble.
The show continues to highlight the opulent lifestyle and cultural richness of Lagos through its cast members’ lives.
Three original cast members will return to the series. Laura Ikeji Kanu brings her entrepreneurial spirit and social media influence. Meanwhile, Mariam Timmer contributes her public relations expertise. And Carolyna Hutchings adds her entertainment industry knowledge and business acumen.
These show veterans will continue sharing their intertwined personal and professional journeys with viewers.
The Real Housewives of Lagos 3 introduces three distinguished newcomers to its lineup.
Dabota Lawson, who previously held a beauty queen title, joins the cast with her expertise in the beauty industry and her sophisticated lifestyle.
Adeola “Diiadem” Adeyemi enters the show as an influential figure in the beauty sector, known for her entrepreneurial success.
Sophia Momodu rounds out the new additions, bringing her media expertise and dedication to humanitarian causes.
Season three promises to delve deeply into these six women’s complex lives as they manage their businesses, families, and relationships in Lagos.
Viewers can expect to see lavish social gatherings, meaningful personal moments, and the dramatic interactions that define the series.
Busola Tejumola is the Executive Head of Content & Channels for MultiChoice in West Africa. She has expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season’s enhanced production value and compelling storylines.
“For two seasons, The Real Housewives of Lagos has continued to bring us premium entertainment, giving fans a front-row seat to the glitz and glamour that makes Lagos a cultural hub. This new season, we have a few surprises up our sleeves that we’re sure fans of the show would love,” she said.
Africa Magic Showcase (DStv) will broadcast new episodes of The Real Housewives of Lagos Season 3 every Sunday at 8 p.m. beginning January 12, 2025.
Starting Monday, January 13, Showmax will release each new episode the following day. This will allow viewers additional flexibility in watching the show.
Funke Akindele’s comedy film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has shattered Nigerian box office records by earning ₦511 million within just 12 days of its release.
FilmOne, the film’s distributor, revealed that this remarkable achievement makes it both the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2024. It is also the fastest Nigerian movie to reach the ₦500 million milestone.
“History Made! Everybody Loves Jenifa smashes records with ₦511M at the box office, becoming 2024’s highest-grossing Nollywood title and the fastest to hit ₦500M in just 12 days! Don’t stop! Let’s smash the record books. Watch Everybody Loves Jenifa in cinemas near you,” the post said.
“Everybody Loves Jenifa” achieved unprecedented success by generating ₦206 million during its opening weekend. It established a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history.
The film demonstrated its immediate appeal by earning ₦87.8 million on its first day. This set another record for the highest single-day earnings in Nigerian cinema.
Funke Akindele masterfully reprised her beloved Jenifa character, delivering a performance that perfectly captured the character’s signature humour and charm.
The narrative follows Jenifa through an engaging storyline filled with personal growth, fame-related challenges, and comedic situations that resonated deeply with audiences across Nigerian theatres.
Akindele’s marketing strategy proved exceptionally effective. Moreso, she implemented comprehensive social media campaigns and made strategic appearances at various cinemas to connect with viewers.
Her promotional efforts transformed the film’s release into a cultural phenomenon that extended beyond traditional movie-watching.
The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Falz,Omotunde ‘Lolo’ Adebowale-David, Olayode Juliana, Chimezie Imo, Layi Wasabi, Bisola Aiyeola,Jackie Appiah, and Omowunmi Dada.
These actors collectively bring depth to this comedy-drama that successfully weaves together humorous moments, emotional depth, and surprising plot developments.
Comedian and filmmaker AY Makun has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged decision by Netflix to pause funding for Nigerian original films.
During a recent interview with Nollywood on Radio, Makun addressed the issue. He clarified that Netflix is not pulling out of Nigeria.
Instead, he explained that the platform is likely reassessing its approach due to ongoing financial challenges. He emphasised that this does not signal a loss of interest in Nigerian content.
“I recently had a meeting with Netflix, and at no point did they say they were leaving this region,” Makun explained. “During that meeting, we discussed my next project and how they could be involved. I don’t believe they’re leaving Nigeria.”
Makun highlighted that Netflix’s challenges in Nigeria are mainly rooted in financial constraints.
“If you’re running a business in a region and you’re spending much more than you’re earning, you’d need to reconsider your approach. That’s what they’re doing,” he stated.
The comedian explained that Netflix has invested heavily in Nigeria, far surpassing the revenue it has generated in the region.
He emphasised that the platform’s struggles stem largely from the low number of subscriptions and the widespread habit of account sharing, forcing Netflix to reconsider its business model.
“For instance, despite Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people, Netflix has only around 300,000 subscriptions, which indicates a problem that needs fixing,” Makun observed.
Furthermore, he elaborated that a significant number of Nigerians access Netflix by using shared accounts instead of purchasing individual subscriptions. This contributes to the platform’s revenue challenges.
“People often share one subscription with several others, and that’s part of the issue. It’s not just about the filmmakers,” Makun concluded.