Lagos-based entertainment company inks partnership with Nigeria’s The Voiceover Conference, with ‘Iyanu’ creator Roye Okupe and casting director Paula Gammon Wilson to be featured at the 2024 Summit.
Nigeria’s Lion Forge Entertainment has announced that King E. Afemikhe, founder of Africa’s leading voiceover summit The Voiceover Conference, is joining the voice cast of animated series Iyanu.
Afemikhe will voice the role of Abby, joining additional new cast members Femi “Bakes” Olugbade as Uwa, Tolulope Kolade as Siju, Femi Sowoolu as Chancellor Nuro, Lord Frank as The Fallen One, Rashidat Fawehinmi Raji as Omolola, and Iheanetu Edith Chidinma as Teju.
The Lagos-based entertainment company behind the Oscar-winning short Hair Love also announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with The Voiceover Conference as a leading sponsor for the biggest voiceover event in Africa. The 2024 edition of The Voiceover Conference takes place June 25-26 in Lagos.
Set to debut on Cartoon Network and Max next year, Iyanu is an epic superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. The series follows Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity.
Featuring an all-African cast, Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe.
Okupe and previously announced cast member Serah Johnson, who voices the title role of Iyanu, will be featured speakers at TVOC. Iyanu casting director and voice director Paula Gammon Wilson will also appear as a special guest, leading a hands-on workshop on the audition process.
“We are thrilled to enter a partnership with The Voiceover Conference, a staple in Africa’s budding voiceover scene helping young artists break into the entertainment industry and thrive,” Lion Forge Entertainment founder David Steward II commented. “This collaboration is a testament to our mission of amplifying authentic, diverse voices. It’s especially exciting that these talented individuals will now be featured in our upcoming animated series Iyanu, bringing fresh and genuine perspectives to our audiences.”
Afemikhe added, “We are thrilled to welcome Lion Forge as a sponsor for the Voiceover Conference 5.0. Their support is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. Lion Forge’s commitment to our event not only validates our efforts but also inspires us to strive for greater heights. We believe that collaboration is key to growth and progress, and we are grateful for Lion Forge’s partnership in bringing together the pioneer and biggest voiceover conference in Africa.”
Other Lion Forge projects include the Image Award-nominated Rise Up, Sing Out for Disney, Emmy-winning special The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special, the Emmy-nominated Rhymes Through Times short series for Nickelodeon, and Emmy Award-winning short series Drawn In in partnership with Nine PBS.
Source: Lion Forge Entertainment
