Mo Abudu Opens a New Home for African Films in London

The centre officially opened on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in south west London, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan attending the event.

The opening is an important moment for African storytelling because the centre is designed to give Black and African films more room to reach audiences in Britain. It also brings Nigerian cinema closer to viewers who may not always find African stories on the screens of major cinemas.

At the heart of the new centre is the Amani Auditorium, a cinema space with 160 seats.

It is expected to host films throughout the year, with a strong focus on Nollywood productions and other films that explore the experiences of Black people.

This means the venue will not be limited to occasional special screenings.

It is intended to become a regular place where people can watch African films and discover stories from different parts of the continent.

Abudu said the centre was created because Black and African stories have not always had enough dedicated spaces in the United Kingdom.

She believes audiences want good storytelling and should have more opportunities to experience the work of African filmmakers.

The new venue is intended to help close that gap by giving films, artists and creative professionals a place to meet their audiences.

EbonyLife Place will offer more than cinema screenings.

The centre is also designed to host masterclasses, discussions, industry panels and live performances.

These activities could help young filmmakers and other creative professionals learn from experienced people, share ideas and build connections.

For upcoming talent, such spaces can be valuable because making a film is only one part of a successful career.

Creators also need opportunities to present their work, meet collaborators and reach people who can support future projects.

The building also brings together different parts of African culture. It includes a Nigerian restaurant, a lounge, a bar, a boutique featuring designers from Africa and its diaspora, and artworks connected to African communities around the world.

Visitors will therefore be able to experience food, fashion, music, film and art in one place.

The idea is to make African creativity something people can experience together rather than something they only encounter on a cinema screen.

The London centre follows the model of EbonyLife Place in Lagos, which opened in 2019.

The new project was funded almost entirely by Abudu’s EbonyLife Group. Its opening also coincides with the London Film Festival, placing the launch within a wider period of attention on cinema and filmmaking.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the centre and spoke about the city’s position as an important place for film production.

For Nollywood, a permanent space dedicated to African cinema could create more opportunities to reach viewers outside Nigeria.

A film can be well made and still struggle to find an audience if it is not shown in the right places.

Regular screenings and cultural events can help people discover new productions, while also creating opportunities for filmmakers to build relationships with international audiences.

The centre does not solve every challenge facing African filmmakers, but it provides another place where their work can be seen and discussed.

The opening of EbonyLife Place in London is therefore about more than a new cinema. It is an effort to give African stories a stronger place in an international city known for its cultural life.

If the centre attracts audiences and supports creative events throughout the year, it could help more people discover the range of stories coming from Nigeria and other African countries.

It also raises a wider question about what African cinema needs to reach more viewers around the world.

Also read: Why African Movies Need More Cinemas Around the World

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