Idris Elba is joining forces with Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu. Their new initiative aims to “empower and uplift talent from Africa and the Diaspora.”
The joint venture will back new projects and up-and-coming talent from Africa and the African diaspora. Elba’s Green Door Pictures will tie with Abudu’s EbonyLife Media on the plan, the first of its kind in Africa.
The partnership will be a two-fold approach. It will arm students from the EbonyLife Creative Academy with the skills they need to flourish in the industry. It will also produce a slate of original African films and TV shows for the global market.
Green Door and EbonyLife’s development slate will tell stories set in Africa or the African diaspora. It will be targeted at the global market. The focus would be on “bringing authentic, Afro-centric stories that resonate with audiences around the world.”
In a statement, the partnership hopes to “build capacity and foster authentic representation” in the international industry. It will give “stories from Africa and its Diaspora” the same “level of attention and respect as other cultures and communities.”
The pair said their production slate would focus on “authentic, Afro-centric stories” that can resonate with audiences around the world. The joint venture will also provide education to help train and empower African talent to enter the entertainment industry. it will use EbonyLife’s creative academy in Lagos as a model that they plan to roll out across the continent. The group will support graduates of the program.
Elba and Abudu On The Partnership
Both moguls have shared their thoughts on the start of the new venture. “It’s our mission to offer the best in industry education, mentorship, and production opportunities, so that our graduates can become valuable contributors to the global media landscape,” said Abudu. “We plan to hit the ground running and explore the very best that African and Black stories have to offer global audiences.”
Elba, who is of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian descent, says that he is excited for the venture. “I have always been passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact,” Elba said in a statement. “By partnering with Mo, we aim to offer free, world-class industry education to the next generation of storytellers and bring their authentic voices to the forefront.”