Mo Abudu on 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives', Global IP & the Future of Film

Strategic Return to Cinema

• 💡 Mo Abudu chose 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives' for her return to cinema after five years, emphasizing the importance of strong global intellectual property (IP).
• 🎯 The IP is highly respected, studied in schools, and translated into various languages, indicating its broad appeal beyond Nigeria.
• 🔑 Abudu reacquired the rights from Netflix, highlighting the strategic value of leveraging established IP for new film projects.

Navigating Film Success & Distribution

• 📈 While box office success cannot be predicted, filmmakers can maximize their chances by focusing on strong stories, scripts, engaging casts, and high-quality production.
• 🚀 Abudu aims for global distribution for 'Baba Segi's Wives' through partners like Sony, which would be a first for a Nigerian film in a structured international release.
• 🌍 This structured global distribution is expected to open doors for other African films, demonstrating the potential for wider international reach.

EbonyLife ON+ Platform & Vision

• 📺 EbonyLife ON+ operates on a membership model, offering content, masterclasses, e-learning, and an expanding e-commerce platform.
• 🌱 The platform focuses on gradual, incremental growth and supports smaller-budget films through internal commissioning and partnerships with filmmakers.
• 🤝 It aims to build a community and collaborate with affordable partners, differentiating itself from traditional streaming services.

Future of African Film

• 🔮 Abudu predicts a boom in streaming platforms and increased global reach for African films in the next decade.
• 🇬🇧 EbonyLife Cinemas is set to open the first African cinema in the UK, despite facing significant challenges with planning permission and licensing.
• ✨ This expansion creates fresh opportunities for the industry, driven by various players and initiatives.

Empowering New Filmmakers

• 🎬 EbonyLife ON+ supports emerging producers through initiatives like Black Shorts, which provides a platform for short films.
• 🤝 Selected filmmakers get opportunities to pitch to international commissioners at events like Content London, fostering global connections.
• 📝 Abudu advises filmmakers to use engaging, concise pitch decks with strong visuals, ideally one-pagers, to effectively present their ideas.