Nollywood, Sony Pictures join forces for TV series on all-female African army

29 March, 2018 - 15:46

Nigerian studio EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television are to produce a TV series on the West African Dahomey Warriors, theyre following in the footsteps of box office hit Black Panther, which featured the all-female security services of Dora Milaje.

A first time collaboration between an American TV production studio and Nollywood has been announced. Sony Pictures Television will co-develop three TV projects -- including a series on a 19th-century all-female African force -- with Nigerian network EbonyLife, one of the biggest TV networks on the continent.

The announced TV show is inspired by the story of the Dahomey Warriors, an all-female West African military group. It will be set in the Kingdom of Dahomey and tell the story of how the women protect their nation.

In a statement Mo Abudu, Chief Executive Officer, said, Our vision has always been to change the narrative about Africa and to tell our stories from our perspective.

Nigerian filmmaker Femi Odugbemi applauded the deal. He told CNN, Its the first time I think a global company, or a company with a global footprint, is coming to the table, not just to give crumbs but to actually to try to collaborate in a way that expands opportunity for creating (stories) of African descent.

The deal comes after a boom in interest for African stories in TV and Film.

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Marvels Black Panther, set in a fictional African nation Wakanda, has been major global hit smashing the $1 billion box office mark. The film features an all-female force, the Dora Milaje.by Chris Giles

Where I put my posters is as important as my projects. They work together, she says. If the paper covers something underneath, its not going to work.

Ia press release, Wayne Garvie, President of International Production at Sony Pictures Television said, Our aim is to help Ebony Life create a portfolio of African content that will fulfil their aim of being one of Africas prime creator of premium content.

The partnership between Sony Pictures and EbonyLife could change the landscape for African storytelling, Odugbemi said.

The content is based on something empowering, Odugbemi said.

www.cnn.com

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