Ghanaian actress Fella Makafui has secured a major role in the highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s Nigerian series Anikulapo, marking a new chapter in cross-border African film collaborations. The National Film Authority of Ghana (NFA), which played a pivotal role in this achievement, revealed that the move is part of its broader mission to open international doors for Ghanaian talents through partnerships with sister African nations.
In a celebratory Facebook post monitored by adwoaadubianews, the NFA expressed pride in Fella Makafui’s introduction as a lead character in Anikulapo, a Netflix original greenlit to air in 191 countries. This development aligns with the NFA’s Shoot in Ghana initiative, which aims to position Ghana as a prime destination for global film productions, boosting the local cinema market and providing new platforms for Ghanaian creatives.
The post also highlighted Fella’s dedication to her craft, noting that she learned to speak Yoruba from scratch for her role in the pre-colonial African drama. The NFA thanked the series’ acclaimed producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, for collaborating on this milestone and supporting the vision to bridge the Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries.
Earlier in June 2024, Afolayan announced that parts of Anikulapo Season 2 would be filmed in Ghana, further strengthening the growing film ties between the two countries. The announcement was made during the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit in Cannes, where the Executive Secretary of the NFA, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, brokered the deal. She emphasized that this collaboration would benefit both nations by enhancing their film industries and providing valuable skill transfer opportunities for Ghanaians during production.
“This partnership revives and elevates the film relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, creating mutual opportunities for both nations to explore each other’s strengths,” Asante remarked.
Kunle Afolayan, a champion of film training through his KAP Academy, which has trained over 10,000 students across Africa, underscored his commitment to skills development. He highlighted that many Ghanaians, even outside the film industry, would be employed and gain valuable experience during the Anikulapo shoot.
This collaboration is a testament to the NFA’s Shoot in Ghana initiative, which has seen remarkable successes since its launch two years ago. Among these achievements was the iconic Super Bowl advert shot in Ghana, further cementing the country’s status as a preferred shooting location.
As the second edition of the Africa Cinema Summit unfolds at Accra’s Mövenpick Hotel from October 7-10, 2024, the focus remains on elevating local content production and driving investment in African cinema. The summit, organized by the NFA, features global film industry heavyweights, including Idris Elba, and emphasizes fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth within the African cinema space.
The Africa Cinema Summit, now in its second year, continues to unite filmmakers, investors, and cinema enthusiasts from across the continent, reflecting the shared vision of strengthening Africa’s presence on the global film stage.
