Youthworx filmmakers add twist to Aladdin in a new series

An Ethiopian take on Aladdin is set to sparkle on screens thank to two young creatives in Brunswick. But it needs your help let the genie out of the bottle.

Sami Obama and actor Steph Frobose have a touch of magic in their step. Picture: Ellen Smith

The genie is out of the bottle at Youthworx as two filmmakers try to capture magic in a new series.

Created by Sam Gebreselassie and Sami Obama, Jebena Genie is an adaptation of Aladdin that, while set in Australia, borrows from Ethiopian culture.

Obama said the series would help spread African diversity on screens.

“We are stronger and more versatile than a stereotype, and now it’s time to show Australia what we have,” he said.

Obama (right) and Steph Frobose are hoping funding will help the work. Picture: Ellen Smith

“When I did see people of colour on the screen it was almost always in the context of the United States. They’d say ‘there’s plenty of opportunities out there for you’ and I felt extremely sad that people thought I should give up and move halfway across the world to get an opportunity when we have an industry here with a multitude of African talents.”

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The first series out of Youthworx, it is seeking crowd-funding to complete editing and special effects.

Youthworx business development coordinator Bessie Byrne said she hoped funding would help showcase it in front of broadcasters.

“If we do this series really well, it will also help us get funding to support other emerging creatives with their projects in the future,” she said.