Former NBA MVP Joel Embiid Boards Anime Feature ‘Mfinda’ as Executive Producer: Companion Doc in the Works (EXCLUSIVE)

Cameroonian-American Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has joined as a producer on the upcoming anime feature "Mfinda" from studio N Lite. Embiid is involved through his production company, Miniature Géant, which he launched in partnership with LeBron James' Uninterrupted.

Embiid will also executive produce a companion documentary titled "Mfinda: Spirits of the Congo." This documentary will delve into the inspirations behind the film and its behind-the-scenes production.

The film "Mfinda" is set in 1970s Kinshasa and follows 13-year-old Odi. During the Congo Crisis, she escapes into the mystical Mfinda forest and is transported back to the 1600s Kingdom of Kongo. There, she meets another lost girl, and together they search for a magical Nkisi that might help them return home.

The production features an international roster of collaborators. Producers include Miniature Géant, GKIDS (owned by Toho), Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions, and anime legend Masao Maruyama.

Embiid expressed his enthusiasm, stating his long-time fandom for anime and seeing the project as an opportunity to bring meaningful stories to life through Miniature Géant's focus on giving new voices a creative platform. He felt the African anime story was a natural fit.

The partners cited anime's influence among athletes, particularly Black and African audiences, as a motivating factor. This alignment is a key focus for the companion documentary, which will trace the film's making and spotlight the Congolese traditions, stories, and artists that inspired it.

"Mfinda: Spirits of the Congo" will be produced by N Lite and Miniature Géant, with Embiid and Sarah Kazadi-Ndoye executive producing. LeBron James and Maverick Carter will also serve as executive producers.

Christiano Terry, N Lite founder and CEO (also "Mfinda" co-creator, writer, and producer), stated the studio was built to create untapped stories revealing the universality and captivating reach of their culture. He emphasized that Embiid's involvement, along with James and Carter, powerfully affirms their mission, recognizing them as cultural leaders who understand timeless storytelling's power.

With "Mfinda," N Lite continues its push into globally resonant, culturally specific storytelling, aiming to bridge Japan, Hollywood, and Africa.