Ghana’s Mawuko Kuadzi is West Africa's first Casting Society of America (CSA) member

 Mawuko Kuadzi, a casting director and the CEO of MK Casting, Ghana’s leading casting company has officially been accepted as a member of the Casting Society of America (CSA).

The new feat makes him the first West African to be inducted into the CSA and marks a pivotal moment for the African film industry, offering new avenues for international collaborations and raising the profile of African creatives on the global stage.

Prior to Kuadzi’s acceptance, only three other indigenous Africans—all from South Africa had been members of the CSA. Mawuko Kuadzi now stands as the sole representative from West Africa, showing his unwavering commitment to advancing the African film industry.

Kuadzi has played a significant role in numerous high-profile international projects, spanning films, television shows, and commercials. 

Notably, he is credited with discovering Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah for the critically acclaimed film ‘Beasts of No Nation‘, a role that launched Attah into international stardom. Beyond this, Kuadzi has been instrumental in discovering and nurturing talent across Africa, contributing significantly to the careers of many actors who have subsequently featutred in major international productions.

His impressive portfolio includes work across Africa, Europe, and North America, with credits on projects such as Netflix’s ‘Beasts of No Nation‘, Amazon Prime’s ‘Treadstone‘, BBC and Netflix’s ‘Black Earth Rising‘, the NFL Super Bowl, and Ghana’s Oscar-submitted film ‘Azali‘. He has also been involved in commercials for Turkish Airlines and Woodin, and other notable projects including ‘Snowfall‘, ‘Aloe Vera‘, and ‘The Fisherman‘ which had its world debut at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

Throughout his career, Kuadzi has also collaborated with renowned directors and producers, including Emmy Award-winning director Cary Fukunaga, Ramin Bahrani, Daniel Dammah, Tony Tagoe, Jonathan Stein, Pascal Aka, and Peter Sedufia.

“This is a proud moment for Ghana and West Africa,” Kuadzi said in a brief statement to this publication. “I am honoured and humbled to join the Casting Society of America. This membership is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the growing recognition of African talent and excellence in the global film industry” he added.

Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, Executive Director of the African Chamber of Content Producers, expressed pride in Kuadzi’s achievements, stating, “As a Pan-African casting director, Mawuko Kuadzi has been instrumental in promoting African talent on a global scale. His work has showcased the rich and diverse stories of the African continent. His inclusion in the CSA further solidifies his position as a leading figure in the industry and opens doors for countless aspiring creatives from West Africa.”

In addition to his casting work, Mawuko Kuadzi co-founded the Africa Monologue Challenge in 2022, an initiative designed to connect African actors and creatives with Pan-African and international opportunities. The second season of the challenge recently concluded in Uganda, and the third season is set to begin in October 2024, with the final event being held in Côte d’Ivoire in 2025.

This historic acceptance into the CSA is a powerful recognition of the burgeoning talent and potential within the African film industry. It marks a significant step forward in celebrating the contributions of African creatives on the global stage, inspiring future generations of artists across the continent.

Background

Founded in 1982, the Casting Society of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the casting profession. The CSA’s membership comprises casting directors, associates, and executives worldwide, and it aims to promote professionalism, education, and networking within the casting community, while advocating for the recognition and importance of casting in the entertainment industry.