Johannesburg, 1 December 2025: When a video of a young Nigerian boy dancing ballet barefoot in the streets of Lagos captured the world’s imagination by going viral online, his grace and determination became a global symbol of possibility, and ultimately the subject of an inspiring documentary film. The Emmy-award-winning Madu that tells the extraordinary story that rose from that unexpected moment, will premiere on National Geographic (DStv 181, StarTimes 220) across Africa on Sunday, 14 December at 21:00 CAT with a repeat on Friday, 19 December at 20:30 CAT.
From practicing barefoot on the streets of Lagos to performing on stage in England, Disney’s original documentary MADU follows 12-year-old Anthony Madu as he leaves his home in Nigeria to study at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world, Elmhurst Ballet School. Anthony, who has barely been out of his neighborhood in Lagos, finds himself thrust into a foreign new world where his wildest dream is suddenly within reach.
His journey is a story of extraordinary obstacles, an unexpected complication that threatens his dreams, courage, growth, and ultimately – his search for belonging. A rich tapestry told across continents, MADU is an immersive and emotional film that will resonate with us all.
