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Malika - Warrior Queen

Set in fifteenth-century West Africa, Malika: Warrior Queen follows the exploits of Queen and military commander, Malika, who struggles to keep the peace in her ever-expanding empire. Growing up as a prodigy, Malika inherited the crown from her father in the most unusual of circumstances, splitting the Kingdom of Azzaz in half. After years of civil war, Malika was able to unite all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa.

But expansion would not come without its costs. Enemies begin to rise within her council, and Azzaz grabbed the attention of the most feared superpower the world has ever known: the Songhai Empire. As Malika fights to win the clandestine civil war within the walls of her empire, she must now turn her attention to an indomitable and treacherous foe that plans to vanquish her entire people. From dragons to mythical relics, a feuding royal family and magical swords, the story of Malika: Warrior Queen stays true to the fantasy genre while adding something new by setting familiar concepts in an awe-inspiring African setting.

  • Roye Okupe
    Director
  • Roye Okupe
    Writer
  • Roye Okupe
    Producer
  • Adesua Etomi
    Key Cast
    "Malika"
    Wedding Party
  • Femi Branch
    Key Cast
    "Dogbari"
  • Deyemi Okanlawon
    Key Cast
    "King Bass"
    The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
  • Sambasa Nzeribe
    Key Cast
    "General Ras"
  • Blossom Chukwujekwu
    Key Cast
    "Abdul"
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Television, Web / New Media
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 19, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    40,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Nigeria
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Animation
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles Independent Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 17, 2019
    Winner: Best Animated Short
  • Africa International Film Festival
    Lagos
    Nigeria
    November 12, 2019
    Winner: Best Animated Short
  • Los Angeles Animation Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Finalist
Director Biography - Roye Okupe

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is an author, speaker and entrepreneur whose passion for animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2012, an avenue that would allow him to pursue his dream of creating a diverse library of superheroes. Under that umbrella, Roye wrote, produced and directed several animated productions including, but not limited to, 2D/3D animated short films, TV commercials, show openers, music videos and much more. These productions have allowed Roye to attain many prestigious recognitions such as being #5 on Ventures Africa’s list of 40 African innovators to watch (2016) as well as being part of NewAfrican Magazines’ 100 most influential Africans two years in a row (2016 & 2017).

With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and/or ignored. In August 2015, Roye released his debut graphic novel titled: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a superhero story set in a futuristic Nigeria. E.X.O. was received with critical acclaim and has since been featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, Mashabe and more! Roye’s sophomore graphic novel: Malika – Warrior Queen was also received with critical acclaim, selling more than 40,000 copies of its chapter one special during Diamond Comic’s Free Comic Book Day (2017). Both books have gone on to win several awards including a Glyph Comic Award (2017, 2018) and a Heruica Character Creation Award (2017).

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Director Statement

My mission is to educate and entertain the world about African history, culture & mythology. Thereby elevating the continent above known stereotypes. I also hope to inspire others to chase their dreams while I live mine.