Following over two years of production work involving a talented 30-member cast and crew, Nigeria’s first feature-length animated movie with cinematic release – Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters (LBMM) – is available in cinemas in Nigeria and internationally from Friday, December 11, 2020.
LBMM stars versatile Nollywood actors Bimbo Akintola, Patrick Doyle, Awazi Angbalaga, Bola Edwards, Casey Edema, Oluchi Odii, Francis Sule, along with siblings, 12 and 14-year-old Jessica and David Edwards. Various eye-catching characters from the movie such as Ladybuckit, Mopsticks, Slipperhead, Dustee, have begun intriguing fans on social media.
This movie centres around a young girl, Bukky, whose search for answers leads her down a path of self-discovery. She inadvertently turns into a bucket and bonds with the most unusual characters.
The film’s exclusive screening, which was held at the Genesis Cinemas, The Palms, Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, December 6, 2020, was attended by the star cast and crew, the media and eager fans who have been curious about the Mopsters. The 80-minute-movie received thunderous applause from the audience who posed for photos and received autographs from their favourite Nigerian stars after the screening.
“Our hope is that families will watch this film together and that the project will be a part of helping to build even stronger bonds. 2020 has been a daunting year, and as it ends, we must find ways to remind families and friends that there is hope and more joyful moments to look forward to. This is what we want to do with LBMM,” Blessing Amidu, CEO, Hot Ticket Productions and the film’s Producer and Executive Producer, pointed out during the exclusive screening event.
“Being able to successfully conceptualize, produce and release LBMM is a testament to the fact that anything is possible. Going forward we want to encourage more Nigerian creatives to venture into the animation genre of filmmaking in Nigeria. We are hoping that Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters will open up the market in ways we haven’t even comprehended,” Blessing Amidu added.
The story of Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters was inspired by the relationship between five-year-old twin boys and their loving mother. It is estimated that over $1 million (over ₦400 million) was invested in the production of the movie. Hot Ticket Productions, makers of the movie, has also announced the planned development of a world-class Entertainment Facility to the tune of $45m by its Sister company Max Allegra Corporation. The facility will be another first of its kind in Nigeria.