Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Nigeria-based Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Media have partnered to create a film and TV development slate that will focus on authentic African and African diaspora stories that resonate globally.
In addition, new education and mentoring initiatives will launch through the partnership, with the aim of creating a more inclusive of stories from Africa and its Diaspora, so that they are “given the same level of attention and respect as other cultures and communities.”
No projects have been announced at this time.
EbonyLife Media already has several co-production deals with international studios, including a three-year deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for co-production of THE DAHOMEY WARRIORS and other titles; NIGERIA 2099, a futuristic crime-drama, with AMC Networks; a multi-title deal with Netflix to create two original series and several films; a slate of co-produced film and television projects with Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios; RECLAIM with BBC Studios; and QUEEN NZINGA with Starz and Lionsgate.
EbonyLife has also teamed up with Universal Studios, and Will Packer Productions to develop an untitled project, based on Evan Ratliff’s Bloomberg article, THE FALL OF THE BILLIONAIRE GUCCI MASTER.
Meanwhile, Elba’s Green Door Pictures has the upcoming series HIJACK for Apple TV+ written by George Kay and starring Idris Elba, produced by 60Forty Films and Idiotlamp Productions.
This new partnership with Abudu’s EbonyLife is a continuation of Elba’s quest to effectively shift the “African narrative” via storytelling. In the last month, he’s met with African leaders at Davos, and made a trip to Ghana. He also spoke at the World Government Summit in Dubai.