The first-of-its-kind collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali, along with a behind-the-scenes documentary, ‘Iwájú: A Day Ahead,’ debut February 28.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ collaboration with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali has culminated in the all-new six-part series Iwájú, which streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning February 28 in the United States.
Iwájú is an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The coming-of-age story follows Tola, a young girl from the wealthy island, and her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds.
Olufikayo Ziki Adeola directs from a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson. The series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen, with Hamid Ibrahim acting as production designer and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku as cultural consultant. Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia lend their voices to the project.
Said Adeola, “Crafting the narrative of Iwájú has been a journey of creative alchemy, blending the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future. Collaborating with my Kugali co-founders and the visionary artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios has been nothing short of magical. The heartbeat of my hometown resonates through every scene, and I am thrilled for the world to experience this unique fusion of tradition and futurism.”
Cinesite has been tapped to produce the 3DCG animation for the upcoming series, marking the studio’s first animated project with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Cinesite’s production team is led by Joel MacDonald (producer) and Ellen Poon (VFX supervisor).
Also debuting February 28 on Disney+ is Iwájú: A Day Ahead, a documentary special filmed across three continents that shares the story of the founders of the Pan-African entertainment company, Kugali, who made their dream a reality creating an original animation series with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Created by the ABC News Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios team that brought you Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2, the documentary shows anything is possible when talent meets opportunity. The documentary is directed by Megan Harding and executive produced by Amy Astley and Beth Hoppe.
Source: Disney+
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
