Follow Us on Google
Film producer and CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu is about to see one of her cherished dreams come true. Beginning from this month, aside directing two short films, she will also be in charge of the whole filmmaking process for the first time.
Since debuting with her full-length feature film, Fifty in 2015, Abudu has guided the storytelling process as an executive producer and visionary, but always sought experienced directors to pilot each project.
Abudu attended London Film School in 2017 and completed the course in directing, with the aim of improving her filmmaking skills. However, she enjoyed the experience such that she believed she would direct when the time was right.
In a statement, Abudu said, “I believe in learning and understanding any major assignment I undertake. Directing is an art form that takes years to master, so I’m beginning with baby steps. I have written two short films that I will be directing – Her Perfect Life and Iyawo Mi (My Wife), a predominantly Yoruba language film.
“Although, these stories are fictional, they highlight the mental health challenges hardly spoken about in Nigerian society, that many people deal with all over the world. Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, income or social class, and they are on the increase.”
As CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu oversaw the production of more than 1,000 hours of content annually. As an executive producer, she has created some of the biggest blockbusters in Nigerian cinema, including The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency, and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel. As part of a major deal with Netflix, her successes include Castle & Castle, Oloture, and Blood Sisters.
Her Perfect Life stars Pearl Thusi and Joseph Benjamin, supported by Omawunmi Dada, Uzo Osimpka, Christian Paul, and Mary Lazarus. The cast of Iyawo Mi (My Wife) includes Adedimeji Lateef, Bolaji Ogunmola, Segun Arinze, and Jude Chukwuka. For both films, Mo Abudu, Bola Atta, Wale Tinubu, Shola Akinlade, Pearl Thusi, and Nonos Okpala are the executive producers, with Heidi Uys as supervising producer, Inem King, Joshua Olaoluwa, Sonia Nwosu producing and Temidayo Makanjuola on production design.
