Iwájú Trailer Drops
Africa is one of the parts of the world with the fastest growing animation industries. Following the Pan-African anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire comes the new Disney+ limited series Iwájú. Created by Walt Disney Animated Studios in association with the African entertainment company Kugali, all episodes will be available on Disney+ from February 28. Ahead of the release Disney has released the first full trailer.
Iwájú is set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria. Described as an exciting coming-of-age story, it features Tola, a young girl from the wealthy island and her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert. Tola asks to go to the less affluent mainland and they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. And there's a robot lizard.
The series is brought to life by Kugali filmmakers including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, taking viewers on a unique journey into the world of Iwájú. The setting is bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos. The series is produced by Disney Animation's Christina Chen and features a screenplay by Adeola and Hamila Hudson. It features the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.
Adeola said "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."
The animation production is by Cinesite, marking their first collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Cinesite's production team is led by Joel MacDonald (producer) and Ellen Poon (VFX supervisor).
The series features original music by Nigerian composer Ré Olunuga, whose past credits include music for the 2022 Disney+ Original Rise and the BBC film Girl.
The series will be accompanied by the documentary special Iwájú: A Day Ahead from ABC News Studios, also available on February 28. The globe-trotting doc follows the making of the limited series and how the creatives at Kugali came to collaborate with the visionary artists of Disney Studios.
The game Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef will also be released on the same day. Available on iOS and Android, it takes players through the world of authentic African delicacies and introduces the culture and cuisine of Nigeria through a fast past and accessible cooking game.
