Iwájú

Disney+

Walt Disney Animation Studios, Kugali

Iwájú is a first-of-its-kind international collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African media company Kugali Media. Kugali first came to Disney’s attention when they asserted their plans in a BBC interview: to “kick Disney’s [behind]” in animation across Africa. Intrigued, Disney reached out, and the idea to create an animated series together was born. Enter Iwájú, Disney Animation's first ever long form series centering around a futuristic Lagos with flying cars, robotic lizards, and hair-braiding droids.

Initially, Kugali Media was best known for graphic novels. Kugali’s leadership team then stepped into the roles of Director/Writer, Production Designer, and Cultural Consultant. The collective crew spanned multiple continents and communicated on “Iwájú Time,” convening at virtual intersections of working hours.

Iwájú’s authentic references to Nigerian places, foods, and dialects were fully embedded throughout the filmmaking process. Kugali’s cultural consultant drove around Lagos, live-narrating the sights and sounds of everyday Nigeria to the team in Burbank. Written by a renowned Nigerian composer, Iwájú’s score is layered with winks and nods to iconic “Nollywood” music. The fully Nigerian cast was managed from Lagos and Los Angeles, with a majority of the recordings in Lagos.


Iwájú truly is its meaning, “to the future.”