Lion Forge Entertainment Inks Partnership with Nigeria’s TheVoiceover Conference, Announces Additional “Iyanu” Cast

“Iyanu” Creator Roye Okupe and Casting Director Paula Gammon Wilson to be Featured at 2024 Summit

– Lion Forge Entertainment, the studio behind “Iyanu,” the epic superhero animated-series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology, debuting on Cartoon Network and Max, has set a sponsorship pact with Nigeria’s famed The Voiceover Conference, Africa's premiere voiceover summit.

Lion Forge will come on board as a leading sponsor for the biggest voiceover event in Africa. The relationship highlights a shared commitment from Lion Forge Entertainment and The Voiceover Conference (TVOC) to amplify and uplift diverse, global voices within the entertainment industry. The 2024 edition of The Voiceover
Conference takes place June 25-26 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Lion Forge’s “Iyanu” is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe, and the series is already groundbreaking in that it features an all-African cast.

Okupe and previously announced cast member Serah Johnson, who voices the title role of Iyanu, will be featured in discussions at TVOC. Paula Gammon Wilson, “Iyanu” Casting Director and Voice Director, is also a special guest and will teach a class on the audition process, giving attendees a chance to practice their talents.

TVOC’s founder and seasoned voiceover artist King E. Afemikhe, is among the newest “Iyanu” cast
members and is set to voice Abbey. Other new additions include convention co-host Femi "Bakes"

Olugbade, who voices Uwa; special guest and award-winning voiceover artist Tolulope Kolade (Everything Voiceovers Podcast) who voices the character Siju; broadcaster turned voice actor Femi Sowoolu as Chancellor Nuro; Lord Frank as The Fallen One; multilingual voice actress Rashidat Fawehinmi Raji as Omolola; and voice actress Iheanetu Edith Chidinma as Teju.

Set to debut on Cartoon Network and Max next year, “Iyanu” is an epic superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. The series follows Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an
ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity.

Set to debut on Cartoon Network and Max next year, “Iyanu” is an epic superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. The series follows Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an
ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity.

Founded by David Steward II, Lion Forge Entertainment is a mission-driven entertainment company focusing on content that is both authentic and appealing to a broad audience. The company develops and produces animated and live action content targeting the kids & family and young adult audiences.

Steward II stated, “We are thrilled to enter a partnership with The Voiceover Conference, a staple in Africa’s budding voiceover scene helping young artists break into the entertainment industry and thrive. This collaboration is a testament to our mission of amplifying authentic, diverse voices. It's especially exciting that these talented individuals will now be featured in our upcoming animated series ‘Iyanu,’ bringing fresh and genuine perspectives to our audiences.”

King E. Afemikhe founded TVOC in response to the escalating unemployment rates across Africa. With the intent to empower the continent's youth and ultimately prepare these African voices for global recognition and success, the annual conference provides a nurturing platform for aspiring voice-over talents to not only succeed but find relevance and employment through the use of voice. TVOC seeks to transform voiceover into a thriving sector that generates profitable business opportunities for young Africans in and outside the continent.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lion Forge as a sponsor for the Voiceover Conference 5.0. Their support is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. Lion Forge's commitment to our event not only validates our efforts but also inspires us to strive for greater heights. We believe that collaboration is key to growth and progress, and we are grateful for Lion Forge's partnership in bringing together the pioneer and biggest voiceover conference in Africa,” said King E Afemikhe, Founder, Voiceover Workshop & Media and Convener of The Voiceover Conference.

The 2024 Voiceover Conference takes place virtually on June 25 and as a hybrid event on June 26 at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Nigeria. Register at thevoiceoverconference.com.

About Lion Forge Entertainment:
Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the only Black-owned animation studios of scale in North America, was founded in 2019 by David Steward II as a platform to amplify authentic, diverse voices in the animation and live action kids & family space. “Diverse Stories, Authentically Told” is the driving motto and mission behind
the company.

Currently, Lion Forge Entertainment (LFE) is producing and co-financing the highly anticipated animated
series “Iyanu,” for Cartoon Network and Max. “Iyanu” is an adaptation of the graphic novel series Iyanu:
Child of Wonder created by Roye Okupe and is an epic superhero steeped in Nigerian culture and
mythology. Other Lion Forge projects include producing the Academy Award-winning animated short “Hair Love;” Annie and Image Award-nominated “Rise Up, Sing Out” for Disney; Emmy-winning special “The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special”; Children’s & Family Emmy Award-nominated “Rhymes Through Times” short series for Nickelodeon; and Emmy Award-winning short series “Drawn In” in partnership with Nine PBS. LFE recently signed a first look deal with Nickelodeon for animation. The company also has a partnership with Penguin Young Readers to develop animated and live action projects based on selected PYR best-selling books and a strategic alliance with Dentsu to develop projects for global partners and brands.

With a robust slate of live action and animated projects in development, Lion Forge recently formed its own distribution entity to handle foreign sales for LFE and third-party projects, as well as an in-house franchise and consumer products division to build and maximize franchises.

Lion Forge Entertainment is one of the companies under parent Polarity, also owned by Steward. Polarity includes Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, which publishes more than 60 original graphic novels each year and owns a deep library of IP. Polarity also owns Magnetic Press and Illustrated Syndicate. Polarity sits alongside the Steward Family holdings which range from music to NASCAR to the NHL and beyond.

Lion Forge Entertainment is represented by Activist Artists Management.

About The Voiceover Conference:
In 2020, the Voice Over Conference was established as Africa's pioneer voice-over event with a singular objective: to enlighten and empower the continent's youth regarding the vast potential within voice-over acting and the expression industry.

Our overarching mission is to facilitate a process of self-discovery and development, ultimately preparing African voices for global recognition and success.