Exclusive: Ugandan actress Tracy Kababiito, British-Nigerian actor Wale Ojo and Rwandan actress Isabelle Kabano are set to co-star in groundbreaking, pan-African Rwanda genocide drama Bisesero: A Daughter’s Story.
The production is being billed as the first major feature about the tragic events in Rwanda in 1994 to be told exclusively about and by Africans.
Between 500,000 to 800,000 people belonging to the Tutsi minority ethnic group as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa were killed by armed Hutu militias over the course of 100 days between April 7 and July 15, 1994.
Nigerian director Ema Edosio-Deelen will direct from a script which she is co-writing with award-winning Rwandan director and screenwriter Joël Karekezi.
Bisesero: A Daughter’s Story will recount the little-known true story of the Bisesero Resistance, in which tens of thousands of Tutsi led by an elder called Aminadabu Birara (played by Ojo), bravely fought off Hutu attackers.
Kababiito will play Birara’s...
The production is being billed as the first major feature about the tragic events in Rwanda in 1994 to be told exclusively about and by Africans.
Between 500,000 to 800,000 people belonging to the Tutsi minority ethnic group as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa were killed by armed Hutu militias over the course of 100 days between April 7 and July 15, 1994.
Nigerian director Ema Edosio-Deelen will direct from a script which she is co-writing with award-winning Rwandan director and screenwriter Joël Karekezi.
Bisesero: A Daughter’s Story will recount the little-known true story of the Bisesero Resistance, in which tens of thousands of Tutsi led by an elder called Aminadabu Birara (played by Ojo), bravely fought off Hutu attackers.
Kababiito will play Birara’s...
- 10/30/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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Sffilm, in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, has announced the recipients of the Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowships. Two filmmakers have been selected, with the fellowships supporting the development of their narrative feature screenplays.
Microchip engineer-turned-filmmaker Temi Ojo was selected for his screenplay A Man With a Missing Face, which tells the story of an elderly Black man undergoing a face-transplant surgery. The script is inspired by the true story of Robert Chelsea, the first Black man (and oldest person) to receive a face transplant.
Mark Ingber was also selected for his script titled Terroir, which follows a female biochemistry PhD candidate who returns to her family’s failing wine vineyard in an attempt to save the family business.
Ojo and Inger will receive will receive a 35,000 cash grant and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, Sffilm’s suite of production...
Sffilm, in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, has announced the recipients of the Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowships. Two filmmakers have been selected, with the fellowships supporting the development of their narrative feature screenplays.
Microchip engineer-turned-filmmaker Temi Ojo was selected for his screenplay A Man With a Missing Face, which tells the story of an elderly Black man undergoing a face-transplant surgery. The script is inspired by the true story of Robert Chelsea, the first Black man (and oldest person) to receive a face transplant.
Mark Ingber was also selected for his script titled Terroir, which follows a female biochemistry PhD candidate who returns to her family’s failing wine vineyard in an attempt to save the family business.
Ojo and Inger will receive will receive a 35,000 cash grant and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, Sffilm’s suite of production...
- 12/16/2022
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Twitter is coming to Meghan Markle’s defense.
Angela Levin, author of Harry: A Biography of a Prince and prominent critic of Markle, quote-retweeted a photo of the Sussexes on Thursday, pointing out the colour of Markle’s skin.
Fans were quick to criticize the comment, calling it racist.
Read More: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Release Date Reportedly Revealed For Netflix Docuseries
“Stop being so obsessed with Princess Meghan. She’s moved on and you should do the same. You are a wretched person,” wrote one user.
Stop being so obsessed with Princess Meghan. She's moved on and you should do the same. You are a wretched person.
— Audrey – 'Brazen Hussy' (@audreyDorite) November 24, 2022
The original post was bad enough but you are stooping to new lows even for you ! What the hell gives you the right to question her colour! She is a mixed race American and yes...
Angela Levin, author of Harry: A Biography of a Prince and prominent critic of Markle, quote-retweeted a photo of the Sussexes on Thursday, pointing out the colour of Markle’s skin.
Fans were quick to criticize the comment, calling it racist.
Read More: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Release Date Reportedly Revealed For Netflix Docuseries
“Stop being so obsessed with Princess Meghan. She’s moved on and you should do the same. You are a wretched person,” wrote one user.
Stop being so obsessed with Princess Meghan. She's moved on and you should do the same. You are a wretched person.
— Audrey – 'Brazen Hussy' (@audreyDorite) November 24, 2022
The original post was bad enough but you are stooping to new lows even for you ! What the hell gives you the right to question her colour! She is a mixed race American and yes...
- 11/26/2022
- by Anita Tai
- ET Canada
Warner Bros. alum Sue Kroll has been named head of marketing for Amazon Studios after serving as lead consultant on the streamer’s extensive rollout campaign for the first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”
As part of her new role, multiple series and films in production and development at Kroll’s Kroll & Co. Entertainment banner will move to Amazon under a first-look deal.
Kroll begins her position with Amazon Studios effective immediately. She will report directly to Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke.
Before launching her own production house in 2018, Kroll served a long tenure as the president of worldwide marketing and distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, debuting all of the films in the “Harry Potter” franchise, as well as “Argo,” “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and “Mad Max: Fury Road,” among many others.
“Sue has done an outstanding job leading the marketing efforts for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
As part of her new role, multiple series and films in production and development at Kroll’s Kroll & Co. Entertainment banner will move to Amazon under a first-look deal.
Kroll begins her position with Amazon Studios effective immediately. She will report directly to Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke.
Before launching her own production house in 2018, Kroll served a long tenure as the president of worldwide marketing and distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, debuting all of the films in the “Harry Potter” franchise, as well as “Argo,” “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and “Mad Max: Fury Road,” among many others.
“Sue has done an outstanding job leading the marketing efforts for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
- 10/31/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Festival’s Europe-Latin America forum is set to run from September 19-21.
New projects from Ulises Porra and Beatriz Seigner are among the 14 taking part in this year’s San Sebastian Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum, now in its 11th edition.
Spanish filmmaker Porra returns to San Sebastian after Carajita, co-written and co-directed with Silvina Schnicer, received a special mention from last year’s New Directors jury. Porra’s new project Bajo El Mismo Sol is produced by Dominican Republic’s Wooden Boat Productions, a company founded by Ulla Prida, who also produced Carajita.
The feature is set in 1820, and tells...
New projects from Ulises Porra and Beatriz Seigner are among the 14 taking part in this year’s San Sebastian Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum, now in its 11th edition.
Spanish filmmaker Porra returns to San Sebastian after Carajita, co-written and co-directed with Silvina Schnicer, received a special mention from last year’s New Directors jury. Porra’s new project Bajo El Mismo Sol is produced by Dominican Republic’s Wooden Boat Productions, a company founded by Ulla Prida, who also produced Carajita.
The feature is set in 1820, and tells...
- 8/12/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
21-year-old Austin Chui began making videos as a way to hold himself accountable in his pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. “When hundreds of thousands of people are watching, you cannot be lazy,” he says. Chui’s videos — often of just him preparing to go the gym — are part of a uniquely soothing trend (you can find many under the #dailyvlog hashtag on TikTok) where creators invite you to savor even the mundane details of everyday life.
Nabela Noor, one of the most prominent faces of the trend, started her collection...
Nabela Noor, one of the most prominent faces of the trend, started her collection...
- 8/7/2022
- by Nelson C.J.
- Rollingstone.com
Ukonwa Ojo, Amazon Studios’ chief marketing officer who has been in her position since 2020, is stepping down from her position, the studio announced to staff on Tuesday.
Ojo has led the marketing campaigns for some of the biggest Amazon films and series, including “Coming 2 America,” “Being the Ricardos” “The Wheel of Time,” “The Underground Railroad” and “The Boys.”
She took over the position from Andy Donkin in 2020.
“For nearly two years, Ukonwa has supported the Prime Video brand and its broad and growing content slate with focus, passion and commitment. She has led a talented marketing team that created engaging new ways to connect with our customers,” Mike Hopkins, SVP Prime Video & Amazon Studios, wrote in a note to staff. “I know you’ll join me in thanking Ukonwa for her contributions and wishing her all the best moving forward.”
Also Read:
Vicky Eguia, Amazon Studios PR Exec, Dies...
Ojo has led the marketing campaigns for some of the biggest Amazon films and series, including “Coming 2 America,” “Being the Ricardos” “The Wheel of Time,” “The Underground Railroad” and “The Boys.”
She took over the position from Andy Donkin in 2020.
“For nearly two years, Ukonwa has supported the Prime Video brand and its broad and growing content slate with focus, passion and commitment. She has led a talented marketing team that created engaging new ways to connect with our customers,” Mike Hopkins, SVP Prime Video & Amazon Studios, wrote in a note to staff. “I know you’ll join me in thanking Ukonwa for her contributions and wishing her all the best moving forward.”
Also Read:
Vicky Eguia, Amazon Studios PR Exec, Dies...
- 6/28/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Ukonwa Ojo, who arrived at Amazon Studios and Prime Video close to two years ago as Chief Marketing Officer, is exiting.
In a memo to staff Tuesday about Ojo’s departure, Mike Hopkins, SVP Prime Video & Amazon Studios, wrote that he’s “reaching out to senior marketing team members in the coming days on how we best move forward.”
During her tenure at the studio, Ojo was a key part of the campaigns for their most watched movie, Coming 2 America; Aaron Sorkin’s three-time Oscar-nominated Being the Ricardos; and series The Boys, Wheel of Time and Barry Jenkins’ The Underground Railroad.
Prior to Amazon, Ojo was a CMO of Mac Cosmetics and Coty. At Mac, she focused on customer engagement and product innovation. At Coty, she led P&l, brand development strategy, advertising, innovation, social/digital, design, and media planning/buying. Prior to those posts, Ojo was an SVP at CoverGirl,...
In a memo to staff Tuesday about Ojo’s departure, Mike Hopkins, SVP Prime Video & Amazon Studios, wrote that he’s “reaching out to senior marketing team members in the coming days on how we best move forward.”
During her tenure at the studio, Ojo was a key part of the campaigns for their most watched movie, Coming 2 America; Aaron Sorkin’s three-time Oscar-nominated Being the Ricardos; and series The Boys, Wheel of Time and Barry Jenkins’ The Underground Railroad.
Prior to Amazon, Ojo was a CMO of Mac Cosmetics and Coty. At Mac, she focused on customer engagement and product innovation. At Coty, she led P&l, brand development strategy, advertising, innovation, social/digital, design, and media planning/buying. Prior to those posts, Ojo was an SVP at CoverGirl,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Ukonwa Ojo has stepped down as chief marketing officer of Amazon’s Prime Video and Amazon Studios, the company announced to staff on Tuesday. During her time at the streamer, Ojo led the marketing campaigns for movies like “Coming 2 America” and “Being the Ricardos,” as well as the series “The Boys,” “Wheel of Time” and “The Underground Railroad.”
“For nearly two years, Ukonwa has supported the Prime Video brand and its broad and growing content slate with focus, passion, and commitment,” Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, wrote in a note to staff. “She has led a talented marketing team that created engaging new ways to connect with our customers.”
Hopkins went on to write that the company “will use this transition period to evaluate our organizational needs.”
Ojo took over the chief marketing role from Andy Donkin in 2020. Before joining Amazon, she was chief marketing officer for Mac Cosmetics,...
“For nearly two years, Ukonwa has supported the Prime Video brand and its broad and growing content slate with focus, passion, and commitment,” Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, wrote in a note to staff. “She has led a talented marketing team that created engaging new ways to connect with our customers.”
Hopkins went on to write that the company “will use this transition period to evaluate our organizational needs.”
Ojo took over the chief marketing role from Andy Donkin in 2020. Before joining Amazon, she was chief marketing officer for Mac Cosmetics,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The reception to Eddie Murphy’s Coming 2 America on Amazon Prime Video last year provided Amazon marketing chief Ukonwa Ojo’s point when she said Thursday at Cannes Lions that “it’s not possible to reach diverse audiences without diversity.”
Ojo, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios, explained: “Nielsen tracks streaming by minutes [so] it’s hard for a movie to hit number one compared with the many hours of TV. When we launched Coming 2 America, a very Black movie, it was the only film ranked by Nielsen to hit number one for two weeks in a row. That’s the impact of the Black community.”
That proves “diversity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative,” she added. “I don’t see how you succeed in business without doing this well. You look at the community you serve,...
Ojo, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios, explained: “Nielsen tracks streaming by minutes [so] it’s hard for a movie to hit number one compared with the many hours of TV. When we launched Coming 2 America, a very Black movie, it was the only film ranked by Nielsen to hit number one for two weeks in a row. That’s the impact of the Black community.”
That proves “diversity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative,” she added. “I don’t see how you succeed in business without doing this well. You look at the community you serve,...
- 6/23/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Master, Black Monday and Girls Trip star Regina Hall has revealed how honing her acting and writing skills helped her overcome a period when the roles she landed felt “stagnant and didn’t show my range.”
The actress and producer was speaking at a panel at ad market Cannes Lions exploring the impact of women on storytelling, alongside Amazon’s Global Chief Marketing Officer, Ukonwa Ojo.
Hall said: “I always want to do things that are interesting and complex, and show a range of what it is to be human. There was a point the opportunities weren’t there to play those roles. They were stagnant and didn’t show the range.”
She recalled often playing ‘the friend’ or other “marginalized” roles, adding: “You couldn’t perform or showcase the things you have inside.”
She said that only once studios realized there was money to be made out of films...
The actress and producer was speaking at a panel at ad market Cannes Lions exploring the impact of women on storytelling, alongside Amazon’s Global Chief Marketing Officer, Ukonwa Ojo.
Hall said: “I always want to do things that are interesting and complex, and show a range of what it is to be human. There was a point the opportunities weren’t there to play those roles. They were stagnant and didn’t show the range.”
She recalled often playing ‘the friend’ or other “marginalized” roles, adding: “You couldn’t perform or showcase the things you have inside.”
She said that only once studios realized there was money to be made out of films...
- 6/22/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
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