Mo Abudu, the renowned media mogul, recently shared her remarkable story of transitioning from television to film, highlighting her journey from launching EbonyLife TV in 2012 to creating EbonyLife Media, a global content powerhouse producing hit films like “The Wedding Party,” “Fifty” and “Castle and Castle.”
Abudu’s journey began at 40, when she ventured into the entertainment industry, driven by her passion for storytelling and mission to change Africa’s narrative. Starting with her talk show “Moments with Mo,” she gained widespread recognition, leading to the creation of EbonyLife TV, which broadcast original African content to over 49 countries.
The success of EbonyLife TV paved the way for EbonyLife Media, producing hit films that showcased African stories and voices.
Abudu shared anecdotes about her journey, including the inspiration behind her films “Fifty” and “The Wedding Party,” and how her personal experiences shape her projects.
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Sharing her inspiring journey at a recent gathering in Lagos, Abudu recalled that her syndicated daily talkshow, “Moments with Mo”, on Dstv, opened the floodgates for her journey into the entertainment industry.
She recalls, “my journey into this industry started very late when I launched a talk show, called “Moments with Mo”, where I interviewed many world leaders and celebrities. After the show, I said to myself I love this space and I wanted to do more in this space.
“So, I started the journey with EbonyLife TV. I had to step out of my comfort zone, moved to Calabar and stayed at Tinapa, working with former governor of Cross River State Imoke and his wife.
” A year after setting up Ebonylife television, I felt it wasn’t enough as I made another move into filmmaking. The very first film I decided to make was “FIFTY.” The film was actually released a year after I turned 50 in 2015. And then, “The Wedding Party,” was a turning point for modern Nigerian cinema, setting box office records and proving that Nollywood could produce premium, high-grossing, and exportable content.
On the inspiration behind “The Wedding Party”, Abudu said the story emanated from a wedding ceremony she attended at the Oriental Hotels in Lagos. While the ceremony lasted, many dramas played out that inspired the making of the film.
‘I sat down, and watched the drama playing out at the wedding. There was the ex-wife and there was also the girl friend. There was equally the girl friend to the boy friend of the groom and all these dramas were playing out at the wedding. When I got into my car, I said to myself that I would definitely make a film about this wedding and that was it”, she said.
According to Abudu, her journey has been inspired by my personal dreams and aspirations.
“That really inspired me enough to inform a lot of the programmes and projects that I do,”she said.
Despite challenges, Abudu’s relentless drive and visionary leadership have made EbonyLife Media a global powerhouse, with collaborations with Netflix and other major platforms. She also founded EbonyLife Place, Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort, which combines hospitality, cinema, and creative experiences. She’s replicating the same in London, which will serve as a home to the first African cinema in the UK and giving Africa a presence in London. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of determination and passion in achieving success.
Source: Vanguard
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