Mo Abudu opens first black, African cinema hub in London

EbonyLife Place, the first dedicated black and African cinema, has opened in south-west London to serve as a cultural hub.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan was among prominent personalities that attended the opening ceremony at the multi-storey complex, near Nine Elms.

Founder of EbonyLife Place, Mo Abudu, said: “We make great films, and I think we need to create experiences where people can come and they can see the great work that we do in black cinema, in African cinema. We don’t have enough spaces to serve black cinema in the United Kingdom… representation is so important to us,” she added.

The 160-seat Amani Auditorium will run a year-round programme with a strong focus on Nollywood films from Nigeria as well as other films exploring the black experience.

Beyond film screenings, it is also designed as a creative hub, hosting masterclasses, industry panels, and live performances featuring established and emerging talents.

The facility also houses a bar, a lounge, a Nigerian restaurant, a boutique featuring African as well as diaspora designers and curated artworks reflecting the African diaspora.

Financed almost entirely by Abudu’s EbonyLife Group, the London hub replicates the model of the upscale lifestyle complex she launched in Lagos in 2019.

Mayor Sadiq Khan highlighted London’s standing as a global film capital, noting that the city ranks just behind Los Angeles and ahead of New York in film production.

“London is the number one place in Europe to film,” Khan said. “As long as I’m mayor, we’ll invest in culture.”

Announcing the opening on X, Abudu said: “Welcome to Ebonylife Place London. Today is our Grand Opening, and we are opening the doors to a new destination for Black and African creativity, culture and connection in the heart of London.

“A space rooted in Africa, inspired by London and open to everyone. A place where film, fashion, food, music and art come together. A place to experience, discover, connect and celebrate.

“We invite the world to come inside. Amani Auditorium. 160 seats. Cinema. Culture. Entertainment. Home to the only Black and African cinema in the United Kingdom, Amani is where premieres, screenings, performances, listening parties and special events come to life.”