Supple Magazine

The National Film Authority of Ghana signed a landmark partnership agreement with Pixel Ray Studios LLC which will lead to the construction of a full-service world class film studio in West Africa.

Pixel Ray Studios, a global television and film studio development and production company, has solidified a partnership with the National Film Authority of Ghana to construct 10 sound stages on over 200 acres of property in Ghana. In addition to the sound stages, the multi-use facility will include state-of-the-art production space and equipment, as well as post-production suites with globally trained and locally based crew to serve all production needs. The premier studio will have an estimated 150,000 square feet of production space.

As part of the agreement, the National Film Authority will develop and implement the legal framework and regulation for the creation and nurturing of the growth and development of the Ghanaian and African film industry through the distribution, exhibition, and marketing of films and associated visual and audio content.

The establishment of Pixel Ray Studios in Ghana is a testament to the company’s expansive experience in production, distribution, and entertainment. Pixel Ray founders include entertainment entrepreneur Audu Maikori, ESQ (Founder, Chocolate City Group), Franklin “Twizz” David (Chairman, Twizz Talent Management), Ojoma Ochai (Managing Partner of The Creative Economy Practice at CcHUB), and Hollywood Production & Development Executive Danielle Johnson. Esteemed Pixel Ray Board members include Oronde Garett (Partner at M88), Tamara Houston (ICONN Man) and Content and catalogue Executive Fotemah Mbah.

As announced at this year’s Africon, a multi-day conference featuring top tier movers and shakers in the diaspora, hosted by Amplify Africa, the studio will offer state-of-the-art production and post-production services to local Ghanaian, African and international film and content producers; entertainment for local and international tourists through activities such as set visits; and visual and audio effects and animation services to local and international films (scripted and unscripted content, films, TV series, commercials, OTT content, podcasts, and music videos).

Witnesses to this momentous declaration made at the “Investing in Africa’s Future” panel included Travis Adkins, President and CEO of United States African Development Foundation; Isaac Kigozi, Head of Trade and Investment Office of the President of the Republic of Uganda; and Temwa Gondwe Senior Manager, Intra-African Trade Initiative (Trade Facilitation) at African Export and Import.

The project is estimated to create about 11,000 jobs for the local economy. Partners include Chocolate City Group, REG Entertainment LLC, and Matt Rauchberg Consulting.

 “This partnership is timely as Ghana positions itself as a film hub, a friendly shooting destination, and a cinema gateway to Africa. Earlier in the year, the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana launched the ‘SHOOT IN GHANA PROJECT’ to enhance the agenda by promoting Ghana as an ideal location for film productions and attracting the international filmmaking community to make films in Ghana. Ghana has great locations, it is very safe, and it costs relatively less to shoot in Ghana than in many other countries. Ghana is the second-largest producer of films on the African continent, according to the UNESCO 2021 report. As the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) headquarters, it is just right that Ghana opens its doors to the world of movie makers.” said National Film Authority CEO, Ms. Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante.

Audu Maikori, Co-Founder of Pixel Ray Studios, comments, “I am honoured to be part of this team. Over the last twenty years, I have worked to promote African content and entertainment through Chocolate City, one of Africa’s foremost 360-degree media and entertainment companies comprising a record label, marketing agency, and talent management company, which I co-founded in Nigeria in 2015. I’ve always dreamt of creating even more avenues to tell our unique African/Black and Caribbean stories by providing the critical infrastructure that will create jobs, hone skills, and tell our side of the story. Pixel Ray Studios and our partnership with the NFA provides a platform for that.”

“It’s so surreal to see the project signed and come to life. There is such a need for additional production infrastructure in the global storytelling ecosystem, and I am confident that before long, the studio will become a prominent fixture in this evolving landscape of African and global storytelling,” added Co-Founder Franklin “Twizz” David.

‘’Black and African narratives, more than ever, need to be seen and heard. It is a huge privilege to be part of the project,” says Ms. Ojoma Ochai. ”This project will provide the infrastructure to enable the production and visibility of projects while offering globally competitive infrastructure and talent in a part of the continent known for its deep culture and commitment to championing black and African heritage”.

Stated Oronde Garret, “I’m happy to support the development of this groundbreaking studio in Ghana. It has become evident to me that we must illuminate and celebrate the diversity of the diaspora, and what better way to do it than by creating a space devoted to telling our stories.”

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FILM AUTHORITY

National Film Authority (NFA) is a government agency in Ghana mandated under the Development and Classification of Film Act 935 to regulate, develop and streamline the film sector in Ghana. The NFA’s short-medium term strategic goal is to position Ghana as a film hub and an attractive shooting destination on the continent for productions globally, while raising the level and value of local productions to meet international standards.

ABOUT PIXEL RAY STUDIOS

Pixel Ray Studios is a multimedia and content production company focused on building the first-ever black-owned film production franchise on the continent of Africa, which will serve both local

production needs and cater to Hollywood and other international markets. The studio provides an audio-visual/multimedia training academy covering film, TV, gaming, animation, and virtual and augmented reality, creating a franchise of sound stages for underrepresented places in Africa.

Courtesy: GhMovieFreak.com

African Movie Channel has signed a channel carriage deal with DistroScale to have its first FAST channel, Nolly Africa HD on the DistroTV platform for broadcast worldwide.

DistroTV, operated by parent company DistroScale, is available for free across a wide array of CTV and mobile devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, LG TV, Samsung TV, Sony TV, iOS, and Android, as well as on the DistroTV https://www.distro.tv/

‘Yinka Mayungbo, African Movie Channel’s Director commented, “Nolly Africa HD is not your typical quick and cobbled together FAST channel; it was built the AMC way – like our two premium Pay TV channels AMC and AMC Series, Nolly Africa HD is sleek, polished, and of course, premium television, and it’s HD. We are delighted to partner with DistroTV, one of the most prominent players in the FAST space, to bring the magnetizing world of Nollywood to the homes of millions.”

Nolly Africa HD is a premium 24-hour African movies and series channel, showing carefully curated English language Nollywood movies, series, talk shows and reality productions, including from AMC’s own original productions division, AMCOP.

“With now more than 200 channels in our content library, we are on a mission at DistroTV to provide engaging, stimulating, entertaining content that appeals to our diverse and growing audience,” said Navdeep Saini, co-founder and CEO of DistroScale, parent company of DistroTV. “As a part of our latest regional channel bundle, Nolly Africa HD does just that. We are thrilled to welcome them to the DistroTV family, and look forward to continuing to expand our viewership to new regions as we grow and evolve.”

Nolly Africa HD is available on Nigeria’s Free TV on channel 722, the Airtel TV platform in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Nigeria, Freeview UK channel 271, Kapang channel 520 in the UK and US, and now DistroTV channel 413.

Nolly Africa HD is wholly owned and powered by African Movie Chan

MICHAEL JACKSON and children: from left BLANKET(BIGI) , PRINCE, and PARIS

Funny how Manchelors are slandering Dominic for getting married at the age of 46. Rita got married and her husband is satisfied. Why are you interested in Her age ? Is it Because she got married at the age you bachelors shame women for being single . Many of you weaponized menopause as a tool to rush women into regrettable marriage. Haven’t you seen older women get married after one trial, while their younger counterparts keep trying for decades  Abeg make una free Dominic, na marry she marry she no kill person.

Congratulations Mrs Rita Anosike once again, wishing you marital bliss and endless possibilities as you begin a new chapter of your Life.

By Peace Nwadire

Who is Nengi Adoki? She played the lead role in the current trending Movie “CHATROOM.”

An actress is responsible for translating a writer’s ideas into a full-blown character with a unique set of gestures, accent, body language, movement and even trademark dialogues.  During the world premiere of the movie CHATROOM on Easter Sunday April 17, 2022 at the WheatBaker hotel in Ikoyi, the teaming audience was so impressed at the way Nengi successfully conveyed the feelings of her role and beautifully blended into the character of Ebiere.

The movie is currently being shown on  afrocinema.tv.

See link to sign in https://afrocinema.tv/movies/chatroom

NENGI BIO

Nengi Adoki (The Nengers) is a Nigerian-born, Toronto-trained Actress, Writer and Producer and one of Nigeria’s current leading actresses in the Theatrical,Web, TV and Film space. While at the University of Toronto, Nengi created and directed and choreographed the popular Afrocentric stage show called “Sync Afrique” which ultimately became a culturally recognised event in the city of Mississauga. Since moving back to Nigeria, Nengi made history as the lead actress in Nigeria’s first exported musical theatre piece to the West End in London, England as “Kike Johnson” in “Wakaa The Musical” performing 52 shows overall. She has played other supporting roles on the Nigerian stage such “Heartbeat The Musical” and “No more Lies”. On the Web, Nengi has featured on RED TV’S hit shows “The Men’s Club” and “Inspector K” as well as Bovi’s “Back to School” on Youtube. On TV she’s played supporting roles on Africa Magic’s 260 Episode series’ ‘Enakhe’, ‘Forbidden’ and ‘Hustle’. She is presently the creator, writer and lead actress of her show, “The Most Toasted Girl”, the first crowd-funded web series in Nigeria currently available on Youtube.

Chatroom Synopsis

A young girl enters a TV reality show contest as a means to escape the haunting ghost of her past and her present deprivation. However, an incident in the house forces her to go back to the past she had tried to forget and further reveal a disturbing secret that would throw the entire nation into shock. The hilarious experiences in the house turn the table in an unexpected way bound to keep audiences in stitches and at the edges of their chairs at the same time.

Super start Music Legend  Lionel Richie’s daughter  Sofia Richie engaged  with boyfriend Elliot Grainge.

She’s 23 and he’s 27 and the son of Sir Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music Group. 

Universal Movie Awards second edition entry is still going with submissions streaming from all over the world. See link to submit your film  – https://filmfreeway.com/UNIVERSALMOVIEAWARDS

Below are list of countries we have already received films for the second edition of the award event slated to hold in November 26,2022.

United States, Nigeria, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Russian Federation, India, Ukraine, Uganda, Turkey, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Portugal, Poland, Namibia, Kenya, Italy, Guadeloupe, Ghana, Germany, France, Ethiopia, China, Belarus, Austria, Australia

Many years ago, I heard this unsettling, heart rending story about a young girl preparing for her university education.

Brilliant. Beautiful.

She was violated; sexually abused by her own relation. That led to different other unfortunate incidents that caused her self-esteem, her future, her dreams, her essence, and sadly put an end to her education.

She ended up an attendant in a local bar and became an object of sexual pleasure to some of the customers who easily lured her.

Some thought she was loose, treated her as a prostitute. Indeed she had become loose. She was lost! Lost to what it meant to be a girl, lost to the virtue and pride that comes with being a woman. She was lost. Damaged and reduced to an object of ridicule.

But behind that pseudo veil of warmth and smile she put on her face in order to serve the bar costumers and earn her wage, was that distraught, pained, hopeless, morbid emptiness, and even suicidal burden that taunted her.

Her story haunted me for days. It felt like the pain of razor cuts all over my body. It left a certain sour taste in my mouth each time I thought of her story. The fact that there was no happy ending at the time made it the more excruciating.

The writer in me revolted.

I felt the strong urge to retell the story, to bring it to the front burner, to give it a happy ending and more importantly to give her a voice.

Though I never got to meet her, I strongly desired to change the ending of the ugly narrative (at least in my mind) from one that was a victim to one that found her voice, got back control, regained her self-esteem, spoke her truth and rose from the ashes of shame and ridicule to the place of power and inspiration, a happy ending not only for her, but for every person; especially every girl or woman who has been a victim of abuse.

So I wrote a story inspired by her. I wrote the screenplay and titled it CHATROOM. www.chatroomthemovie.com was made into a movie.

We had an exclusive screening at the request and at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner in commemoration of International Women’s Day andd now, I am delighted to have you all see it.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day , I want you – every woman – to know that you are special, you are powerful and you matter.

CHATROOM is live on afrocinema.tv and can be watched from anywhere in the world from April 15, 2022.

CHATROOM features award winning stars; Omawumi Megbele, Nengi Adoki, Odunlade Adekola, Tony Umez, Ibrahim Suleiman, Sambasa Nzeribe, Rykardo Agbor, Vivian Anani, Damilare Kuku, Joshua Ojo, ace comedian Akpororo with cameo appearances by Victor Okhai and veteran TV host and broadcaster Adesuwa Onyenokwe.

Welcome to the CHATROOM!