Fella Makafui Joins Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Anikulapo’, Strengthening Ghana-Nigeria Film Collaboration
Ghanaian actress Fella Makafui has secured a major role in the second season of the popular Nigerian Netflix series, Anikulapo. The National Film Authority of Ghana (NFA) played a key role in making this possible as part of its ongoing mission to collaborate with other African countries and create opportunities for Ghanaian talent on the global stage.
In a Facebook post, the NFA expressed excitement over Fella Makafui’s involvement in the highly anticipated series, which has gained massive international attention. The post read, “We are pleased to announce that the beautiful and hardworking Fella Makafui will be introduced as a main character in the second season of this groundbreaking Nigerian ‘African’ masterpiece, which has been greenlit by Netflix to air in over 191 countries under our #ShootInGhana agenda. As we position Ghana as a prime shooting destination, we are also working on market expansion through our cinema agenda and exploring other platforms.”
The NFA also extended its appreciation to Kunle Afolayan, the producer and director of Anikulapo, for collaborating with them on this initiative. “The story delves into pre-colonial times, and Fella Makafui dedicated herself to the role, learning Yoruba from scratch—a true testament to her craft,” the NFA shared in the post.
Ghana-Nigeria Film Collaboration Grows Stronger
In June 2024, it was revealed that part of Anikulapo‘s second season would be filmed in Ghana. This announcement was made by Kunle Afolayan during the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit (NIFS), held in Cannes, France, which brought together various film industry leaders and media professionals.
This decision aligns with the National Film Authority’s ‘Shoot in Ghana’ initiative, which seeks to make Ghana a hub for film production. The Executive Secretary of the NFA, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, who brokered the deal during the summit, spoke highly of the collaboration. “This is an important development. Filming parts of Anikulapo in Ghana presents a great opportunity to revive and strengthen the film relationship between Ghana and Nigeria. Both countries have a lot to gain from exploring each other’s markets and talents,” Asante noted.
Afolayan also highlighted his commitment to skill development. His film school, KAP Academy, has trained over 10,000 students across Nigeria and other African nations, and the production of Anikulapo in Ghana will not only provide job opportunities for Ghanaians but also facilitate the transfer of valuable skills to those involved.
Expanding the ‘Shoot in Ghana’ Campaign
Juliet Asantewa Asante continues to encourage filmmakers globally to consider Ghana as a prime shooting location, citing successes like the acclaimed Super Bowl ad, which was shot in the country. Since its launch two years ago, the ‘Shoot in Ghana’ campaign has achieved significant milestones, and the partnership with Anikulapo is another feather in its cap.
Currently, the second edition of another major initiative by the NFA, the Africa Cinema Summit, is underway at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra. This four-day event, which started on October 7, 2024, will conclude on October 10, 2024, and is focused on increasing the quality of local content production and consumption while advocating for greater cinema investment.
The summit has attracted filmmakers from 20 African countries and features in-depth discussions on how to grow and sustain the African cinema industry. This year’s edition promises even more progressive conversations aimed at fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth in the African film sector. As Ghana and Nigeria continue to deepen their collaboration in the film industry, Fella Makafui’s role in Anikulapo marks a significant achievement for the Ghanaian film community, signaling more cross-border opportunities for local talent.
