Autumn Bailey-Ford and South Africa’s NV Film Studios Launch AfriNova Entertainment Group

Autumn Bailey-Ford, a Tulsa-based U.S. producer, is partnering with South Africa’s NV Film Studios and Services to launch AfriNova Entertainment Group, according to an exclusive report by Deadline published June 17, 2026. The new company is being formed by Bailey-Ford along with South African partners Simo Kubheka and Damien Brown of NV Film Studios and Services.

The report says AfriNova Entertainment Group will be structured as an entertainment-focused company intended to bridge “African and international storytelling through innovative entertainment partnerships.” The announcement frames the effort as an organized vehicle for projects that connect creators and production partners across borders, with NV Film Studios and Services acting as a key South African production and services partner.

Deadline’s report identifies Bailey-Ford, Kubheka, and Brown as co-founders involved in the launch of the company. It describes the partnership as an effort to combine Bailey-Ford’s work as a U.S.-based producer with NV Film Studios and Services’ South Africa-based production and services capabilities.

While the report provides the company’s launch and stated mission, it does not detail AfriNova’s initial project slate, specific titles in development, or timeline for releases. The article also does not specify the company’s ownership percentages, financing structure, or whether the group will operate first as a production entity, a distribution/licensing hub, or a hybrid model.

The announcement comes as cross-border film and television production continues to rely on established production-adjacent services in multiple countries, including local studio production, crew hiring, post-production infrastructure, and location work. In that context, AfriNova’s stated emphasis on partnership-driven storytelling indicates an operational model built around collaboration between international and African production ecosystems.

For audiences and industry stakeholders, the immediate next steps depend on what AfriNova plans to disclose beyond its mission statement, including whether it will announce specific projects, attach well-known talent, or seek distribution partnerships. The company’s public direction will also likely be shaped by production timelines, budgeting, and the contracting practices that determine how rights and revenues are allocated across territories.

Deadline’s report indicates AfriNova Entertainment Group is launching with the participation of Bailey-Ford, Kubheka, and Brown. How the company implements its stated bridge between African and international storytelling, including where projects will be produced and how they will reach viewers, remains a matter for further announcements and filings, particularly if AfriNova proceeds to formalize corporate registrations and partnerships.

As of publication, Deadline did not provide additional government, court, or regulatory documents related to the new entity, nor did it identify any finalized agreements with broadcasters or streaming platforms. Those details would be expected as AfriNova moves from announcement to operational stage, including potential project-specific rights and production commitments.