EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s newest studio, Nile Media Entertainment Group, is already on the move.
The Lagos-based company has partnered with Mo Abdu’s Ebony Life to roll out premium cinema experiences across West Africa and has acquired global sales rights to “Striking Wives: Rebellion.”
The agreement with Abdou will see Nile and Ebony Life, led by CEO Moses Babatope, launch The Pods in what it calls a “giant leap” for the West African film industry. Each Pod will offer a private, intimate atmosphere with luxurious reclining seats, personal concierge services and access to a curated selection of films.
Nile and EbonyLife plan to release 10 Pods per year for the next five years.
“The future of entertainment in Africa lies in strong partnerships and collaborative efforts,” said Bookie George Taylor, Vice President, Nile Cinema. “At Nile Group, we are committed to building strong alliances with local and international stakeholders for the upliftment of the industry. Our partnership on this pod is evidence of our belief in the potential of the African market. Nile Group has built a foundation of partnerships and collaborations that we intend to further expand in the future. This partnership with Mo Abdu and EbonyLife Cinema demonstrates our dedication to innovation and excellence. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to deliver an unparalleled cinematic experience.”
Abdu, CEO of Ebony Life, added: “The pods are not just for watching movies, they are for experiencing movies in a way that stimulates all the senses. This collaboration with Nile Group is an incredible opportunity to innovate and deliver something truly special to audiences. We are creating a space where cinema and luxury come together, with every detail designed to deliver an unforgettable experience.”
On the distribution side, Nile Entertainment, the distribution division of Nile Group,
has acquired worldwide rights to the third installment of the hit Nollywood series, “Wives on Strike: The Uprising.” According to Nile, the film will premiere in theaters in the UK, US, Ireland and Canada this October. It will be released in Nigerian cinemas on October 18th.
The cast of the film includes Chioma Akpotha (Gangster of Lagos), Uche Jambo (Onye Egwu), Omoni Oboli (Oloture), Ufuoma McDermott (Okafor’s Law), Hilda Dokubo (Kill Bolo, CEO) and Bukunmi Adeaghah-Ilori (aka Kie, A Simple Lie, Ile Owo).
The first, Strike Wives, was released in 2016, followed a year later by its sequel, Strike Wives: Revolution. The film follows four women who protest against domestic violence by denying intimacy with their husbands. In the third film, Dokubo begins as a mother who finds out that her son, who graduated with honors, has been kidnapped on his way home. She embarks on a journey of revenge that “unfolds into a bloody adventure,” according to the synopsis.
Nowekere Segun Ojo, General Manager, Distribution & Marketing, Nile Entertainment, said: “The Uprising builds on the strong foundations of its predecessor – the themes are universally resonant and the acting is exceptional. We are thrilled to bring this powerful story to audiences around the world and continue the series’ tradition of combining entertainment with impactful storytelling.”
Named after the iconic river of the same name, Nile Group is a Nigeria-based production, distribution, exhibition and studio operation launched last month and helmed by former Filmhouse Group boss and FilmOne Entertainment managing director Babatope. It has five divisions, including a community foundation arm, and aims to “transform Africa’s film industry”.