DISNEY AND KUGALI’S IWÁJÚ PREMIERES IN LAGOS

IWÁJÚ premiere Filmhouse IMAX Cinema Lekki Lagos.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

IWÁJÚ, is a groundbreaking Pan-African animated series; the brain-child of the Kugali trio: Tolufikayo Ziki Adeola(Nigerian), Hamid Ibrahim(Ugandan), and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku(Nigerian). Director, Production Designer, Cultural Consultant, respectively; all young animators, with a dream larger than life. A dream that has seen them do the unbelievable with the biggest animation studio on the planet.

The Kugali trio. 

Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

The 6-part series follows the story of Tola a young girl raised on the highbrow island and her best friend Kole, a self-taught techie raised on the mainland. Together they go on exciting yet dangerous swashbuckling adventures through the streets of Lagos.

Photos courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

IWÁJÚ is the one project that marks a watershed moment in Disney's 100 years history; the first time it would collaborate with another animation studio to create an animation project. And it's also the first time Disney would release a mainstream story as a miniseries. 

That Disney chose to make such history with an animation studio in Africa, Kugali Media, makes it more epic in galactic proportions. Now, the fact that Disney Animation chose to tell a story about futuristic Lagos Nigeria, for its watershed moment in history project, makes this even more intergalactic. If over-the-moon were to be literally experienced, then this would be it. I mean, what were the odds…?

The whole experience seems as random as when Hamid made the statement “we are going to kick Disney's ass in Africa” in that 2018 BBC interview. Yet in the same breath it doesn't feel random at all. It feels like it was written in the stars. And Hamid’s statement only triggered the transfer clause of Disney to come see the untapped goldmine that are authentic African stories. Especially a story about Lagos Nigeria, set in the future O! Unbelievable!

So yesterday, 27th February, saw dignitaries, celebrities, filmmakers and animation enthusiasts from around the world, troop into Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki Lagos, Nigeria, for the world premiere of IWÁJÚ. A wonderful fun-filled atmosphere befitting for such an auspicious night. It was a night that has left an indelible remarkable mark on the African animation industry.

A wonderful atmosphere at the premiere.

Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

The night was artfully anchored by South Africa’s Anele Mdoda and Nigeria’s Tomike Adeoye. The Senior Vice President of The Walt Disney Company Africa, Christine Service shared an anecdote about how Disney and Kugali's collaboration came to be. And she further hinted about the upcoming release of a culinary mobile game Disney IWÁJÚ: Rising Chef, developed by Maliyo Games in collaboration with Disney and Kugali.

Anele Mdoda.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Tomike Adeoye.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Then she also acknowledged the presence of the honorable minister for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and the honorable commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Lagos State, Toke Benson.

Anele and Tomike welcomed the Kugali trio to the podium. Each sharing their unique experiences during the process of creating IWAJU. Ziki Adeola talked about them staying true to everything that represents the spirit of Lagos despite trying to be futuristic in their approach. Hamid Ibrahim playfully hinted about him arguing creative differences with his creative hero(in Disney) at some point.

The Kugali trio and Adebimpe Adebambo.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Then Maliyo Games, the amazing team behind the mobile game Disney IWÁJÚ: Rising Chef, led by founder Hugo Obi, were also brought on stage by Anele and Tomike, to be acknowledged. The game will also be released today 28th March for iOS and Android devices.

Ré Olunuga and Hugo Obi.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

The amazing cast(a blend of Nollywood’s old and new voices) and the rest of the team came up to the floor for acknowledgement and photo ops. Actors in attendance were: Simisola Gbadamosi, Femi Branch, Bisola Aiyeola, Ireti Doyle, Kehinde Bankole, Chioma ‘Chigurl’ Omeruah, Obi Maduegbuna.

The Amazing Cast and the Kugali trio.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa 

Simisola Gbadamosi.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Bisola Aiyeola.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Chioma 'Chigurl' Omeruah.
Photo courtesy: DisneyAfricaZa

Ré Olunuga, the composer of IWAJU’s soundtracks, came up to the floor to share his experience working on the music for the project. He hinted about having to explain how to make music out of a certain Lagosian lingo to the foreign orchestra… He also hinted that the soundtrack album for IWAJU will be released digitally on 1st March.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the screening of IWÁJÚ. But not before a resounding warning was given to members of the audience against recording the screen with their phones. 

Each of the six episodes of IWÁJÚ is eponymous to each of the main six characters in the story. So, without giving out any spoilers, the storytelling was brilliant. With great backstories of each character at the beginning of each episode. The adorable, bright-eyed, cunning, keen and eager-to-know-beyond-her-ken Tola, juxtaposed against her sternly protective, hustling genius of a Dad, Tunde, and the affable-yet-machiavellian uncle Bode, presents an interesting triangular dynamics.

The production design was a marvel to behold. The mainland Ajegunle-Apapa vibe was on point, with amazing container-styled houses on display everywhere. Beautiful geometric shaped buildings on the island as well. All futuristic in their outlook. Don't be surprised when you see flying Keke NAPEPs as well.

Femi Branch’s Bode booms large vocally and dramatically too, in a battle of wits versus the relentlessly charming and equally dramatic Simisola Gbadamosi’s Tola.

IWÁJÚ is a Yoruba word, and it means Future or Forward, depending on the context… So it's safe to say that the African animation industry is moving forward right into the future.

IWÁJÚ premieres globally today, 28th February, on Disney+, and will also be available on DStv’s Disney Channel from 22nd April.