Known Associates Group, Inner City Films, Circle Blue Entertainment Team Up to Launch South African-Canadian Outfit KIC Group (EXCLUSIVE)

South Africa’s Known Associates Group (KAG) is teaming up with Canada’s Inner City Films (ICF) and Circle Blue Entertainment (CBE) to launch a new venture that will produce African feature films and TV series for audiences around the world, the companies announced Saturday at the Cannes Film Festival.

With offices in Johannesburg, Toronto and Los Angeles, the KIC Group will build on the track records of the three pioneering companies while also developing innovative financing models and capitalizing on an existing co-production treaty between their respective countries.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ICF and CBE to create top-notch international content,” said Joel Chikapa Phiri, executive chairman of the Known Associates Group, the parent company of Johannesburg-based Known Associates Entertainment (KAE) and Cape Town-based Moonlighting Films.

“Joining forces with ICF and KAG to produce cross-border films and TV series will build on the audience’s new-found appetite for international content across all markets,” added Circle Blue Entertainment founder Amos Adetuyi. “This deal bridges talent between continents to showcase what’s possible when we work together.”

The group is developing a slate of 12 titles with an anticipated production volume of $60 million. First up is “Dreams of the Moon,” a ’70s-set drama with an estimated $8 million budget that’s set against the backdrop of the secret NASA Apollo 16 training mission. It stars Nia Long and Eden Duncan-Smith, who starred in the Netflix and Spike Lee-produced Tribeca premiere “See You Yesterday.”

The Canada-South Africa co-production is backed by funding from Telefilm, South Africa’s Dept. of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and an African bank facility. Pic will be distributed by Elevation Pictures and Africa Entertainment in America (AEIA).

The joint venture between the three companies will not only utilize their financing and production expertise but take advantage of Known Associates’ infrastructure in South Africa, which includes one of Africa’s most experienced production services companies in Moonlighting, post-production facilities and the upcoming Cradle Film Studios, which will be comprised of 14 sound stages and 2 water tanks for what KAG execs describe as the biggest film studio in Africa.

“This venture unites all our film and TV under one roof, providing the venture access to KAG’s successful enterprises,” said Known Associates Group CEO Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri.  

Founded in 2014 by Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Known Associates expanded in 2018 to include the production house Known Associates Entertainment, which was co-founded by Emmy Award-winning director-producer Dan Jawitz, with film financier and executive producer Joel Chikapa Phiri now serving as chairperson. In 2022, the company acquired industry leader Moonlighting Films, which has serviced dozens of Hollywood blockbusters.

Known for series development, as well as spotting fresh talent and championing diversity, Circle Blue Entertainment was founded by Amos Adetuyi, the executive producer behind the trailblazing Canadian legal drama “Diggstown,” whose star, Vinessa Antoine, was the first Black Canadian woman to lead a primetime drama on network television.

Inner City Films, which is headed by Alfons Adetuyi, is known for its international co-production experience and has sold titles to more than 60 countries through its in-house distribution arm. Adetuyi produced and directed the first official Canada-South Africa co-production, “Ekhaya: A Family Chroncile,” as well as the romcom “Love Jacked,” starring Amber Stevens West, Shamier Anderson, Mike Epps, and David Keith, which was acquired by Netflix.

“Together, we possess a collective strength, united vision and a strong passion for storytelling,” said Inner City Films’ Alfons Adetuyi. “This partnership is all about combining our strengths to bring amazing stories to life, of which ‘Dreams of the Moon’ is just the beginning.”

Pictured (l. to r.): Known Associates Entertainment CEO Moroba Nkawe; Known Associates Group chairperson Joel Chikapa Phiri; Known Associates Group CEO Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri; Inner City Films CEO Alfons Adetuyi; head of Known Associates Group investments Mpumezo Vuzane