Known Associates Entertainment and Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) have signed an agreement to develop and co-produce AMBRE: a six-episode, 52-minute science fiction series.
Known Associates Entertainment, co-founded by Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri and Dan Jawitz, is the production company behind the hit show Ubettina Wethu, broadcast on SABC1 (an adaptation of Yo Soy Betty La Fea, the successful production behind Ugly Betty).
"Ambre embodies Known Associates' vision: to create premium African content that meets international standards. We are excited to be pioneers in co-production between two African countries, breaking down language and cultural barriers for an international audience. Through this deal, a South African production agency, supported by a national broadcaster (SABC), will work directly with a public broadcaster in French-speaking West Africa (RTI) and international partners on a historic co-production. We are aiming high, with a big superhero and a big budget, and we are looking for other international broadcasters and distributors," said Joel Phiri, Chairman of the Board of Known Associates.
Ana Ballo, Director of RTI Distribution, is eager to bring this project to life. "It is a real pleasure but also a real challenge to implement such an ambitious project with our South African counterparts and partners. We really hope that this project will be supported by our respective governments and private sector sponsors to achieve the level of quality we have set," Ana emphasized.
For Renée Williams, Head of Local Productions at SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation), "Our goal through this partnership is to create an environment that stimulates research and brings together good ideas, talent, and collaboration in an increasingly competitive and international sector."
The series will be filmed in Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa with actors from both countries. Similarly, filming will be done in French and English in equal proportions.