The International Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences has welcomed CEO of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, as a member of its newly elected Board of Directors. Other Africans who have recently joined the membership are Founder/CEO of Magic Carpet Labs, Ferdinand Adimefe (Nigeria); Film, Video and Cinematography Affairs/Film Producer & Director of Uganda Communications Commission, Leonard Amanya (Uganda); CEO of Vzhun Films, Emem Ema (Nigeria); and CEO of Gambit Films, Bradley Joshua (South Africa).
In February, Nigerian filmmaker, actor and Managing Director of Euphoria360 Media, Femi Adebayo, was also appointed to the prestigious Emmy Academy. The new inclusions from Africa form part of the Emmy Academy’s March 2024 Newly Elected Members from 25 countries worldwide.
Mo Abudu’s latest feat comes on the heels of her collaboration with British filmmaker Idris Elba to elevate African storytelling and her acknowledgement as 2024 Forbes Africa’s Businesswoman of the Year. Her media production company, which comprises EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Studios, EbonyLife Creative Academy, and EbonyLife Place, is responsible for some of the most critically acclaimed Nollywood films and TV series, including Blood Sisters, Òlòturé, Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman, Chief Daddy and War: Wrath and Revenge. Earlier this year, the media titan announced the production of a new series Baby Farm in addition to the anticipated Òlòturé: The Journey, both of which will debut on Netflix.
Ferdinand “Ferdy” Adimefe’s animation company, Magic Carpet Studio, is responsible for the production of urban fiction comic series The Igwes and animation film The Passport of Mallam Ilia.
Bradley Joshua is an Executive Producer at Gambit Films, with popular titles such as high school series Blood & Water and crime thriller series Unseen to his name.
Leonard Amanya is a Ugandan award-winning producer, director, film consultant and international film juror. An Officer for Film & Cinema Affairs at Uganda Communications Commission, he is recognized as the director of 2023 film Crystal.
“I am deeply moved and incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received following my appointment to the Board of Directors of the International Emmys,” Mo Abudu reacted to the announcement. “It’s truly a humbling honor to join this esteemed board alongside distinguished members of the global TV and Film industry. As I step into this new role, I am filled with enthusiasm to use this platform to uplift Africa’s burgeoning creative economy in every way possible.”
Created in 1969, The International Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences is a non-profit organization that brings together leading figures and professionals across all sectors of the television industry from over sixty countries worldwide. The Academy was established with the mission of celebrating excellence in television programming across the globe, and it achieves this through the annual International Emmy Awards.
Traditionally held in New York City, the USA, the International Emmy Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in global television in sixteen categories, with over a thousand international broadcasting, production and distribution executives gathered for the honors.