Hollywood star Idris Elba is committed to African cinema in Ghana

As Idris Elba walked through the halls of the Africa Cinema Summit in Ghana’s capital Accra, it was clear that the Golden Globe-winning British actor wasn’t just a guest. Born and raised in London to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother, the star appeared on both television and screen as a passionate advocate for the future of African cinema at the continent’s premier film industry event.

Elba, who has starred in Africa-focused films such as “Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom” and the Ghana-shot “Beasts of No Nation,” has long been vocal about his deep connection to the continent.

At this year’s summit, which brings together industry stakeholders, Elba took on the role of ambassador for the importance of African stories and how best to tell them to the world.

– The future of African cinema –

“African cinema is not young. We have been around for a long time,” emphasized the 52-year-old, pointing to the rich film heritage of French-speaking Africa. “But our stories still need to enter into this larger landscape.”

According to the National Film Authority of Ghana, the African continent has the youngest population in the world but only about 1,700 cinemas, compared to about 44,000 in the United States and 75,500 in China.

Elba’s belief in the untapped potential of African cinema was palpable throughout his speech. For him, the key is to increase the film’s awareness through better infrastructure and distribution channels and connect filmmakers with audiences on the continent and worldwide.

“We need bums in the seats,” Elba said. “The future depends on us…our own distribution. We have to fill the theaters with our people first.”

This Africa-first focus sets Elba’s vision apart from other industry giants, who often focus exclusively on international recognition.

Elba said he wants African cinema to be as successful at home as it is abroad.

He drew parallels to Hollywood, where success is measured by both domestic box office and international sales.

But rather than just cheering it on from the sidelines, Elba has been working to shape the future of African cinema.

He has already taken steps to invest in the continent’s creative industries and promote African talent through his production companies IE7 and The Akuna Group.

While others might see funding, education or infrastructure challenges as obstacles to progress, Elba was optimistic – he saw “opportunity in waiting.”

“A lot of young filmmakers are making films on their phones,” he told AFP, enthusiastically describing the innovative, grassroots approach coming from Africa’s youth. “But we still need to strengthen these films. We still need distribution methods.”

He argued that African filmmakers should not rely exclusively on global streaming giants such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. While he acknowledged the value of these platforms in showcasing African content to an international audience, he insisted that the real success lies in building local capacity and infrastructure.

He said he wanted a robust African film ecosystem that could be self-sustaining, with distribution channels independent of Western platforms.

“We want to develop international markets,” he said. “But we also have to penetrate African markets.”

– A legacy in the making –

Elba emphasized the need for African filmmakers to take their creative destiny into their own hands. “Just do it,” he advised aspiring filmmakers. “The barrier between producing your film and dreaming about it is now much shorter.”

Driven by his love of storytelling, Elba developed a passion for acting during his childhood in London and pursued various careers alongside his craft.

He made his breakthrough with his role as drug lord Russell “Stringer” Bell in the critically acclaimed US series “The Wire”. He later cemented his star power with the British crime series Luther, which won him a Golden Globe.

Over the years, Elba’s diverse filmography, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to indie projects, has made him one of the most respected and influential actors on the global stage.

And as one of the best-known actors of African heritage in Hollywood, he said he feels a responsibility to ensure African stories reach the widest possible audience.

“We still have a long way to go,” admitted Elba.

But as the lights dimmed at this year’s Africa Cinema Summit, Elba’s vision was not just one of awards or accolades, but of a thriving film industry that resonates widely with African audiences while continuing to capture the world’s attention.

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