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EXCLUSIVE: Evoke Entertainment, the management and production company formerly known as Cartel Entertainment, has signed award-winning African director Akin Omotoso.
Omotoso is best known for the Disney film Rise (aka The Greek Freak), based on the life of NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo. Released in 2022, the film is rated 91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Currently, the filmmaker is completing work in Johannesburg on Marked, a Netflix Africa series, on which he’s an executive producer and director.
Born in Nigeria, Omotoso studied drama at the University of Cape Town, and has produced and directed five features, including the award-winning films Man on Ground (Official Selection Toronto and Berlin 2011) and Vaya (TIFF 2017). Released by Ava Duvernay’s Array, the latter weaves together three stories of small-town characters immersed in the intimidating, alluring, and dangerous world of big-city Johannesburg and Soweto.
Omotoso is also the creator, director and showrunner of one of Netflix’s first Africa-based original series, The Brave Ones, and is currently producing the NBA’s Africa League documentary, BAL. He is also currently wrapping post-production on another action-based series for Netflix Africa, which he is directing and exec producing, and is in discussions to continue his role for a second season.
Founded in 2011, Evoke reps top-tier showrunners, creators, writers, directors, producers, animators, and production companies in film, TV, and new media. The company has produced and financed several series since its inception, including the hit series Creepshow for Shudder/AMC, the animated family series Twelve Forever for Netflix, the Universal/Syfy series Day of the Dead, Ties That Bind for Up TV, and A Place in the Sun for Discovery. Curently, they’re in production on Breaking Bear, an adult animated series for Tubi.
Omotoso will continue to be represented by CAA, as well as the law firm Gang, Tyre, Ramer.
