Idris Elba is investing in and returning to his roots. The Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom actor announced his plan to move to Africa to “bolster the film industry”.

His newest venture aims to “change the paradigm” of how the world views African stories (combating the “white savior” narrative that typically derives from Hollywood). In partnership with Mo Abudu (CEO of EbonyLife Media), Elba explains their plan to nurture the continent’s talent, invest in performing arts education, and provide opportunities for true African stories to reach larger audiences.

“A lot of media is centered around (negative depictions of Africa). But the median age in Africa is 19; these young people are optimistic and deserve the chance to tell their own stories” –Idris Elba

The 52-year-old actor was born in London to a Ghanaian mother and Sierra Leonean father. Elba plans to move to several countries like Accra, Zanzibar, Freetown, and beyond.

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It’s going to happen. I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.” –Idris Elba

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Despite the piracy and lack of funding within the African filmmaking industry, Nollywood (Nigeria’s film industry) has been a global phenomenon since the 1990s and is the world’s second-largest film industry—after India—based on the number of productions, with an average of 2,000 movies released annually (according to INdependent.uk)

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