The upcoming animated feature Malika: Warrior Queen is leveling up its global ambitions, with August Media Group officially joining the project as a co-producer in a new international partnership that bridges African storytelling and Asian animation.
The Singapore-based production and financing company will contribute up to one-third of the film’s production and marketing budget while also overseeing animation production alongside a collective of studios and artists across Asia. The move signals a major step forward for the film’s scale, positioning Malika: Warrior Queen as a globally driven animated event rooted in African mythology.
Created by Roye Okupe, the film is based on his graphic novel series published through YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics. It marks the next major expansion of the YouNeek universe, which has already gained traction with Iyanu, a breakout animated series that dominated kids’ programming across multiple platforms.
With Malika: Warrior Queen, Okupe brings his signature Afro-Anime storytelling style to the big screen, blending epic fantasy, African history, and anime-inspired visuals into a story centered on a powerful warrior queen. The film aims to introduce the character to a global theatrical audience while continuing the momentum of African-led animated IP gaining international recognition.
August Media’s involvement adds both financial backing and creative infrastructure, particularly through its access to top-tier animation talent across Asia. Founder and CEO Jyotirmoy Saha will serve as an executive producer, helping guide the film’s visual execution and international rollout.
The project is produced by DS Films founder Doug Schwalbe alongside Emmy-winning producer Randy Dormans, further reinforcing its global production footprint. Altogether, the collaboration reflects a broader shift in the animation industry, where cross-continental partnerships are becoming essential to building large-scale, culturally specific stories with worldwide appeal.
At its core, Malika: Warrior Queen represents more than just another animated feature. It’s part of a growing movement to position African mythology and storytelling at the center of global pop culture—on its own terms, with its own voice, and at a scale that matches the ambition behind it.