EbonyLife Place Opens in London as Hub for Black and African Cinema
EbonyLife Place, a new cultural hub dedicated to black and African cinema, has officially launched in south-west London, close to Nine Elms. The venue was inaugurated by Mo Abudu, its founder, alongside Mayor of London Lord Khan. Featuring a 160-seat auditorium, it will spotlight Nollywood and films that reflect black experiences. Additionally, the centre will offer masterclasses, industry discussions, and live performances. Amenities include a bar, a lounge called Fàhinti, a Nigerian eatery, a boutique showcasing African designers, and art from the African diaspora. Abudu, a prominent Nigerian media figure, aims to highlight overlooked narratives. This initiative, funded by her media group, follows a similar establishment that opened in Lagos in 2019 and aligns with the London Film Festival.
Key facts
- EbonyLife Place opened in south-west London near Nine Elms.
- The venue features a 160-seat auditorium with a year-round film programme focused on Nollywood and black cinema.
- Founder Mo Abudu is a Nigerian media mogul born in London.
- The centre includes a bar, a lounge called Fàhinti, a Nigerian restaurant, a boutique for African and diaspora designers, and African diaspora artwork.
- It will host masterclasses, industry panels, and live performances.
- The project was financed almost entirely by Abudu's media group.
- It mirrors a lifestyle complex Abudu launched in Lagos in 2019.
- The opening coincided with the London Film Festival and was attended by Mayor of London Lord Khan.
Entities
Artists
- Mo Abudu
- Lord Khan
Institutions
- EbonyLife Place
- EbonyLife
- BBC Radio London
- BBC London
- London Film Festival
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Nine Elms
- Lagos
- Nigeria
- Los Angeles
- New York