EbonyLife Founder Mo Abudu: Networks “Beginning To See The Light” On African Content; Talks Talent Tactics With Studio Dragon & Newen Bosses – Series Mania

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Major networks are “beginning to see the light” by commissioning entertaining content from Africa, according to EbonyLife Founder Mo Abudu, as the heads of production houses in some of the world’s biggest growing content markets spotlighted the challenge of attracting new talent.Abudu, whose pioneering outfit has tied with Netflix, Sony, AMC and BBC Studios in recent years, said the media world is “understanding that the numbers add up” when they consider there are 1BN people living in the continent and millions more outside who “want content that speaks to them.”“This isn’t an NGO agenda but our stories can be entertaining,” she added, speaking on a Series Mania panel. “We have pitched and pitched over the last few years and studios are beginning to see the light.

We’re getting the power and that’s why we need to tell great stories.”Abudu cited upcoming Netflix feature Oloture about an undercover Nigerian journalist along with Starz’ Queen Nzinga period drama, which is being exec produced by 50 Cent.“Gems can be found everywhere,” she added. “For too long the only African story was the story of the slave trade but there’s so much more and we have vast stories of today and the future.”Along with France’s Newen Studios MD Romain Bessi and Studio Dragon CEO Kim Young kyu, Abudu spotlighted the challenge of attracting a flood of new talent to the growing local industry.“Black writers and showrunners have not had the opportunity to be in the room at the highest level so the gatekeepers need to let the next generation in,” she explained. “Black actors have been frustrated because there’s not been enough work so finding them is not a problem but with writers we’ll have to start with a new batch and they are beginning to show