“Iwájú,” a new animated series on Disney+, is unlike anything else on the service. And really, it’s unlike anything in the history of Disney Animation – a collaborative project between Walt Disney Animation Studios, Kugali Media and Cinesite (a long-running visual effects and animation studio headquartered in England). A truly global affair, “Iwájú” imagines a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, where a 10-year-old finds herself embroiled in a high-stakes, technologically advanced tug-of-war.
And it all started with some good, old-fashioned trash talk.
Hamid Ibrahim, cocreator of “Iwájú” and the project’s production designer, said in 2019 that Kugali wanted to “kick Disney’s ass.” But Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios (and director of “Frozen”), wasn’t offended — she was intrigued. In 2020, “Iwájú” was announced as the first original series from Walt Disney Animation Studios, made in collaboration with Kugali.
After the public call-out, “a very, very organic and...
And it all started with some good, old-fashioned trash talk.
Hamid Ibrahim, cocreator of “Iwájú” and the project’s production designer, said in 2019 that Kugali wanted to “kick Disney’s ass.” But Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios (and director of “Frozen”), wasn’t offended — she was intrigued. In 2020, “Iwájú” was announced as the first original series from Walt Disney Animation Studios, made in collaboration with Kugali.
After the public call-out, “a very, very organic and...
- 3/11/2024
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
“Iwájú,” Disney Animation’s sci-fi long-form series about a futuristic Lagos (currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to The Disney Channel April 22), is a far cry from such culturally diverse features as “Moana,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Encanto.” This is a Nigerian series — Disney’s first-ever outside collaboration of this kind — told from the Black team at Kugali Media, the U.K.-based Pan-African media company, voiced by Nigerian actors, and with a score from Nigerian composer Ré Olunuga.
“Iwájú” (which loosely means “the future” in Yoruba) began as a Kugali comic book anthology. Kugali co-founders Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku let it be known in an interview they had their sights set on animation and were determined to “kick Disney’s arse in Africa.” This came to the attention of Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Jennifer Lee, who was so impressed with the...
“Iwájú” (which loosely means “the future” in Yoruba) began as a Kugali comic book anthology. Kugali co-founders Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku let it be known in an interview they had their sights set on animation and were determined to “kick Disney’s arse in Africa.” This came to the attention of Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Jennifer Lee, who was so impressed with the...
- 3/4/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Disney and Kugali are bringing something special with their new series ‘Iwájú’, set to hit Disney+ on February 28. It’s a fresh story set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. We follow Tola, voiced by Simisola Gbadamosi, and her tech-savvy friend Kole, brought to life by Siji Soetan. They’re diving into secrets and challenges, showing us the rich contrasts of their world.
The people behind ‘Iwájú’ are just as interesting. Olufikayo Ziki Adeola is directing, with Hamid Ibrahim designing the production and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku adding cultural insights. Their combined efforts promise a series full of unique visuals and a deep connection to Lagos’ spirit.
Now, let’s talk tunes. The series’ music is coming from Ré Olunuga, a big name who’s worked on projects like the Disney+ movie ‘Rise’. He’s all about getting into the characters’ feelings and has a big love for Lagos, which shines through in the music.
The people behind ‘Iwájú’ are just as interesting. Olufikayo Ziki Adeola is directing, with Hamid Ibrahim designing the production and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku adding cultural insights. Their combined efforts promise a series full of unique visuals and a deep connection to Lagos’ spirit.
Now, let’s talk tunes. The series’ music is coming from Ré Olunuga, a big name who’s worked on projects like the Disney+ movie ‘Rise’. He’s all about getting into the characters’ feelings and has a big love for Lagos, which shines through in the music.
- 2/13/2024
- by Hrvoje Milakovic
- Fiction Horizon
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Disney Animation revealed Frozen favorites Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck are teaming to write the feature Wish, which will tell how the wishing star that so many Disney characters have wished upon came to be. West Side Story Oscar winner Ariana DeBose will voice star in the feature, which is slated for 2023 and will be a watercolor style of animation blended with CG.
“How did the wishing start?” Lee asked at D23 Friday, referencing all the wishing that happens in Disney animated movies.
Wish centers on Asha (DeBose), a 17-year-old who sees a darkness in her kingdom that no one else does, so in a moment of desperation, she makes a passioned plea to the stars. The answer to Asha’s wish is an actual star that falls from the sky to help on her journey. DeBose was a surprise guest, as neither...
Disney Animation revealed Frozen favorites Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck are teaming to write the feature Wish, which will tell how the wishing star that so many Disney characters have wished upon came to be. West Side Story Oscar winner Ariana DeBose will voice star in the feature, which is slated for 2023 and will be a watercolor style of animation blended with CG.
“How did the wishing start?” Lee asked at D23 Friday, referencing all the wishing that happens in Disney animated movies.
Wish centers on Asha (DeBose), a 17-year-old who sees a darkness in her kingdom that no one else does, so in a moment of desperation, she makes a passioned plea to the stars. The answer to Asha’s wish is an actual star that falls from the sky to help on her journey. DeBose was a surprise guest, as neither...
- 9/10/2022
- by Aaron Couch, Borys Kit and Sydney Odman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney has tapped top toon talents from across the African continent for “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire,” a Disney Plus Original anthology of animated films set to premiere on the Mouse House’s streaming platform in late 2022.
Inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures, the 10-part anthology brings together a slate of rising animation talents from six African nations to produce action-packed sci-fi and fantasy stories that will present bold visions of advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters imagined from uniquely African perspectives.
Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) will serve as executive producer, with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston as supervising producers. Cape Town-based animation house Triggerfish, which received the prestigious MIFA Animation Industry Award in Annecy this year, will be the lead studio for the anthology, working in collaboration with animation studios across the continent and globally.
“We are bringing the work of a visionary...
Inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures, the 10-part anthology brings together a slate of rising animation talents from six African nations to produce action-packed sci-fi and fantasy stories that will present bold visions of advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters imagined from uniquely African perspectives.
Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) will serve as executive producer, with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston as supervising producers. Cape Town-based animation house Triggerfish, which received the prestigious MIFA Animation Industry Award in Annecy this year, will be the lead studio for the anthology, working in collaboration with animation studios across the continent and globally.
“We are bringing the work of a visionary...
- 6/17/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Disney is launching an animated African comic book series that it describes as a “first of its kind collaboration”.
Iwájú comes from a partnership between pan-African entertainment company Kugali and Disney. It will launch on streaming service Disney+ in 2022.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer said that the show is set in Lagos and steeped in science-fiction and explores “deep themes of class, innocence and challenging the status quo”.
But the way that it reached Disney is probably the most interesting aspect. Lee said she saw an article, from the BBC, that highlighted the pan-African comic book hoping to “kick Disney’s arse”. “I was intrigue,” she said. “Here was three talented comic book artists. Their dream was to bring African stories created by African artist to the world, highlighting the diversity of cultures, histories and voices across the continent. Their talents as storytellers blew us away. I’m...
Iwájú comes from a partnership between pan-African entertainment company Kugali and Disney. It will launch on streaming service Disney+ in 2022.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer said that the show is set in Lagos and steeped in science-fiction and explores “deep themes of class, innocence and challenging the status quo”.
But the way that it reached Disney is probably the most interesting aspect. Lee said she saw an article, from the BBC, that highlighted the pan-African comic book hoping to “kick Disney’s arse”. “I was intrigue,” she said. “Here was three talented comic book artists. Their dream was to bring African stories created by African artist to the world, highlighting the diversity of cultures, histories and voices across the continent. Their talents as storytellers blew us away. I’m...
- 12/11/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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