"IYANU"
"Iyanu, the West African"–the animated series from Lion Forge Entertainment and Youneek Studios has earned the MIP Africa Inclusive Lens Award in the Older Kids Category. The honor recognizes the series for its bold storytelling, cultural authenticity, and commitment to inclusive representation.
"Iyanu" is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment under the leadership of David Steward II (Founder & CEO) and Stephanie Sperber (President and Chief Creative Officer). It was created by Roye Okupe, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Iyanu is streamed in over 44 countries in Africa, through Showmax, which has championed Iyanu across the continent and helped expand its reach.
The award follows the debut of "Iyanu: The Age of Wonders", the first of two planned animated feature-length films, which premiered August 30, 2025, on Cartoon Network and is now streaming on HBO Max and ITVx, and coming September 26 to Showmax.
The series was an immediate breakout cross-platform success, debuting as the number one series among kids on Cartoon Network and a Top 10 Kids & Family series on HBO Max.
Iyanu features an all-African voice cast led by award-winning actress Serah Johnson as Iyanu, alongside African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) winner and Vogue US cover star Adesua Etomi-Wellington, three-time AMAA nominee Stella Damasus, multi-award-winner Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Shaffy Bello ("The Black Book").
Related News
