Madu (film)

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Madu is a 2024 Nigerian documentary film which follows the journey of a twelve-year-old Nigerian ballet dancer, Anthony Madu, whose story broke the internet in 2020 with a video of him dancing in the rain. [1] The documentary, directed by Matthew Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson, premiered on Disney+ on Friday 29 March 2024. [2] It proceeded to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary at the 2025 News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City. [3]

Contents

Synopsis

Madu features Anthony Madu, whose ballet dance video went viral in 2020 after he was captured dancing in the rain and earned a scholarship at Elmhurst Ballet School. [4] The more-than-an-hour documentary film shines light on Anthony Madu's journey from his home in Ajangbadi, Lagos state, to the United Kingdom. [5] The film highlights Anthony Madu's experiences in the United Kingdom as he navigates his new environment and the new culture he is living in, in the United Kingdom. [6]

Selected cast

Release date

Though Madu had its first screening at the 2024 iREP International Documentary Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria, the film premiered globally on 29 March 2024 on Disney+. [7]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2025 Emmy Awards Outstanding Direction (Documentary) Matthew Ogens, Joel Kachi Benson, Jamie Patricof, Katie McNeill, Rachel Halilej Nominated
[8]
Outstanding Arts and Culture DocumentaryWon
[9]

References

  1. ↑ Phillips, Zoe G. (2024-02-01). "'Madu' Trailer From Disney+ Teases Story of Viral Nigerian Ballet Student". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  2. ↑ "Elmhurst Ballet School student Anthony Madu stars in Disney Original feature-length documentary film". Elmhurst Ballet School. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  3. ↑ Fasan, Yewande (2025-06-28). "Joel Benson's documentary 'Madu' wins Emmy Award". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  4. ↑ "Friends, Family Gather in Lagos for 'Madu' Documentary Screening". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  5. ↑ "Friends, Family Gather in Lagos for 'Madu' Documentary Screening". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  6. ↑ Amos (2024-02-04). "Groundbreaking documentary 'Madu' chronicles inspiring journey of Nigerian dancer Anthony Madu". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  7. ↑ Cletus, Confidence (July 27, 2024). "Documentary on Nigerian boy in viral 2020 ballet video screened in Lagos". Premium Times.
  8. ↑ "MADU Nominated For Two EMMY® Awards". Elmhurst Ballet School. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  9. ↑ Akhimien, Nosakhale (2025-06-28). "Kachi Benson Wins Emmy For Disney Documentary 'Madu'". Channels Television. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
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