Disney chooses Cinesite for “Iwájú” the Nigerian animated series

Cinesite was awarded with CGI animation work for the highly anticipated series Front - an original Disney + set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria. This is the first time that animation and special effects studio VFX has partnered with Walt Disney Animation Studios on animated content, having previously worked with Walt Disney Studios on live-action films such as Il ritorno di Mary Poppins e Pirates of the Caribbean: Beyond the sea borders.

The series is produced by WDAS in collaboration with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali (kugali.com) and will premiere on Disney + in 2023.

Front, a name that loosely translates to "the future" in the Yoruba language, is set in Lagos and will explore deep themes of inequality, innocence and defiance of the status quo.

"This show will combine the magic and experience of Disney animation with Kugali's fire and narrative authenticity," said Ziki Nelson, who co-founded Kugali with Hamid Ibrahim and Tolu Olowofoyeku on a mission to tell inspired stories. to African culture through comics, art and augmented reality.

Cinesite's London and Montreal teams will work with Disney Animation and Kugali's leadership. The series is directed by Nelson with the Disney Animation team led by producer Christina Chen and VFX supervisor Marlon West (Frozen, Frozen II, Moana), under the guidance of Disney Animation's Chief Creative Officer, Jennifer Lee. Cinesite's production team is led by producer Joel MacDonald (Riverdance: The animated adventure, The Addams family) and VFX supervisor Ellen Poon (Hero, hunt for monsters).

“There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Front“Commented Eamonn Butler, head of animation at Cinesite. “For one thing, it's a completely new and original story set imaginatively in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. Secondly, working with the best of animation with Walt Disney Animation Studios and fresh new voices with Kugali's exciting storytellers is truly a first for not just Cinesite, but for all of us. Cinesite teams have worked hard to continually raise the quality bar and working with Disney Animation is testimony to everyone's efforts. We can't wait to showcase our troupe's innovation and creativity at Disney! "

Pre-production is underway at Cinesite with top talent recruited by Cinesite Montreal (www.cinesite.com/careers) to begin work on the series. Over the course of production, over 200 artists, technicians and support staff are expected to be employed to work on the series.

Front is the latest animation project to start production at Cinesite and joins MGM's The Addams Family 2; Aniventure Fiery samurai, an animated comedy based on the classic film by Mel Brooks Fiery saddles, and Hitpigs, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Berkeley Breathed, all currently in production.