Nigerian-American actress and comedian Yvonne Orji, known for her role on HBO’s Insecure, is now an executive producer on The Fisherman, a Ghanaian film getting global attention. Orji joined the team through her production company, in & thru, and will help bring the film to a wider audience, giving it a profile boost in the distribution market.
The Fisherman tells the story of Atta Oko, a retired fisherman living a quiet life, until he meets a smart, sarcastic talking fish. The two go on a journey to Ghana’s capital, Accra, and are joined by three teenagers who dream of owning a boat and making a better life.
Directed and written by Zoey Martinson, the film made history in 2024 as Ghana’s first official selection at the Venice Film Festival. It went on to win the Fellini Medal and the Enrico Fulchignoni Prize from UNESCO. The Fisherman was also developed with support from La Biennale di Venezia’s College Cinema lab.
Writer-director Martinson wrote and directed projects for HBO Max, Hulu, Showtime, and South Africa’s Mzansi Magic projects, such as Betty, Bite Size Halloween, CUPIDS., She is known for her comedic instincts and global perspective.
In 2023, Orji signed a two-year first-look deal with Sony Pictures Production, a collaboration she said was the “right home for her” Under this deal, Yvonne Orji will develop scripted drama and comedy series for cable and streaming. One of such is an upcoming series based on the novel “Transcendent Kingdom” by Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi, which she announced on her Instagram page on April 22. Orji recently served as the host of Netflix’s live version of the hit dating experiment, Pop the Balloon.
In her decision to come on board The Fisherman, Orji said, “As a First-Generation Nigerian immigrant, this story felt personal, yet relatable. It carries both emotional weight and cultural relevance, and I’m excited to support projects like these that push the narrative forward while spotlighting bold, underrepresented talent.”
Produced by Luu Vision Media, with Kofi Owusu Afriyie and Korey Jackson (Godfather of Harlem), the film stars Ricky Adelayitar (Beasts of No Nation), Endurance Grand, William Lamptey, Kiki Romi, Adwoa Akoto (I May Destroy You), and Dulo Harris (Tales from the Big Apple).
The Fisherman is still looking for distribution and will continue showing at festivals this year.
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