Idris Elba, the renowned British actor, is more than just a guest at the Africa Cinema Summit. Born to Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian parents, Elba is a passionate advocate for the future of African cinema.
With a deep-rooted connection to the continent, Elba has starred in several Africa-focused films like “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “Beasts of No Nation.” At this year’s summit, he emphasized the importance of telling African stories and how to best share them with the world.
Elba believes that African cinema has untapped potential. While the continent has a rich film heritage, its stories haven’t fully reached a global audience. With a young population and limited cinema infrastructure, Elba’s focus is on raising African cinema’s profile through better infrastructure, distribution channels, and connecting filmmakers with audiences.
“We need bums on seats,” Elba said. “The future relies on us… our own distribution. We must fill the cinemas with our people first.”
Unlike other industry luminaries, Elba prioritizes African cinema’s domestic success. He draws parallels with Hollywood, where success is measured both domestically and internationally. Elba is actively shaping African cinema’s future by investing in the continent’s creative industries and nurturing African talent through his production companies.
Despite challenges like financing, education, and infrastructure, Elba remains optimistic. He sees opportunities in the grassroots approach emerging from Africa’s youth, who are making films on their phones. However, he emphasizes the need for distribution methods and a robust African film ecosystem.
Elba’s advice to aspiring filmmakers is simple: “Just do it.” He encourages them to take charge of their creative destinies and pursue their filmmaking dreams. With his passion for storytelling and his commitment to African cinema, Elba is shaping a legacy that will inspire future generations of filmmakers.