Idris Elba and Mo Abudu production companies, Green Door Pictures and EbonyLife Media, have joined forces to empower and uplift African stories. The industry's top training is being provided by the powerhouses to the next generation of African storytellers so they can tell stories that are true to life and have access to education, mentorship, and production opportunities. By working together, they will create a fresh batch of films and television programs with a focus on Africa and the Diaspora that will be popular around the globe. It will show the world the many different cultures and stories on the continent. The executive producer of "Queen Nzinga" and the actor who played Luther both pledged to work with their respective production companies, Green Door Pictures and EbonyLife Media, to increase diversity and encourage real-world representation in upcoming international motion pictures and television shows. The two discussed a two-pronged strategy that would bring education and mentoring initiatives to support both young people and older creative professionals the opportunity to showcase their skills and tell their stories, as well as assist in large-scale productions.
Abudu, who has Nigerian roots, has deep ties to “Nollywood,” as the Nigerian film industry is known, producing multiple films in that space, including 2016’s “The Wedding Party,” which stood at the time as the nation’s highest grossing film. She’s also involved with Nigerian television, including “Desperate Housewives Africa” in partnership with Disney. Luther: The Fallen Sun, "Concrete Cowboy," and the upcoming Apple series "Hijack" are just a few of the credits for Elba's Green Door Productions, which he founded in 2013 with the goal of working with up-and-coming talent and creating thought-provoking content. Additionally, he runs a record company called 7Wallace Music. Aside from governments and multilateral organizations, the two are also hoping that leading members of the global business community will support their initiative to develop talent and increase capacity across the African continent.The partnership will include education and support through EbonyLife’s Creative Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. The model used to establish this facility will be replicated across the continent, and will also support graduates, the announcement said. They will also create a new development slate of stories originating out of Africa or set in the diaspora as feature films and TV series for the global market.
“We believe that Africa has the talent and the stories to captivate the world. 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,” Abudu said in a statement. “We plan to hit the ground running and explore the very best that African and Black stories have to offer global audiences.”
“I have always been passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact,” Elba said. “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. This partnership is a step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse media landscape, one that represents the voices and experiences of Africa and its diaspora around the world.” “The development slate will focus on bringing authentic, Afro-centric stories that resonate with audiences around the world,” the announcement said. “These co-productions between Green Door Pictures and EbonyLife Media will provide a range of content for broadcasters and streamers as well as for theatrical distribution globally.”
