Renowned actor and producer Idris Elba took the stage at the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, Ghana, to champion the untapped potential of African cinema. With roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana, Elba brought a deep personal connection to the event on Tuesday, using his platform to urge the industry to focus on developing infrastructure and storytelling that resonates not only on the global stage but, crucially, with African audiences.
Speaking passionately to industry stakeholders, Elba stressed that African cinema has a rich history but lacks the necessary infrastructure to truly thrive. ‘African cinema is not young; we’ve been around for a long time,’ he said. ‘But our stories have yet to springboard on that wider landscape.’ Elba emphasised that while international recognition is important, the key to long-term success is building a strong foundation at home.
Call for investment and local empowerment
Elba, who has starred in African-themed films like Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Beasts of No Nation, emphasised the need for more investment in Africa’s film infrastructure. ‘We need to fill the cinemas with our people first,’ he stated, underscoring the need for local engagement and a thriving domestic market before aiming for international accolades. His vision contrasts with the industry’s traditional focus, which often leans toward global exposure through platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
While acknowledging the role these international platforms have played in bringing African stories to the world, Elba expressed the importance of building homegrown distribution channels. ‘We still need to amplify those films. We still need distribution methods,’ he said, stressing that the future of African cinema depends on creating sustainable systems that aren’t solely reliant on Western platforms.
Advocating for Africa-first film production
In his address, Elba drew parallels between the growth of Hollywood and what African filmmakers can achieve by focusing on local distribution networks. ‘The future relies on us… our own distribution. We must fill the cinemas with our people first,’ he said, pointing out that Hollywood’s success was driven by domestic box office numbers before global recognition followed.
He added that African cinema’s potential is enormous, especially given the continent’s young and rapidly growing population. However, despite this potential, the continent currently has only about 1,700 cinemas compared to over 44,000 in the US and 75,500 in China. Elba noted that tapping into this youthful demographic and creating local connections between filmmakers and audiences is key to long-term success.
A long-term vision for Africa’s film industry
Elba also stressed that the road to success is not without challenges, but he remains optimistic. ‘We have a long way to go,’ he said. Yet, he views these challenges as opportunities for growth. He has been actively involved in shaping the industry’s future through investments in creative talent via his production companies, IE7 and The Akuna Group. ‘A lot of young filmmakers are making films on their phones,’ he remarked, highlighting the innovative and grassroots approaches emerging from the continent’s youth.
The importance of building local infrastructure
Elba’s advocacy also touches on the importance of infrastructure—both physical and digital. He argued that Africa’s film industry needs better facilities, such as studios and distribution networks, to reach its full potential. ‘We must not rely solely on streaming giants to tell our stories,’ he said. Elba believes that while platforms like Netflix have helped amplify African narratives globally, they should not be the only option for filmmakers looking to distribute their work.
Instead, Elba urged the creation of a robust African film ecosystem that can stand independently. ‘We want to penetrate international markets, but we need to penetrate into African markets as well,’ he said, making the case for developing a self-sustaining industry that benefits local filmmakers and audiences alike.
Shaping African cinema’s future
Elba’s involvement in the summit reflects his broader vision for Africa’s creative industries. He called on aspiring filmmakers to take charge of their creative destinies, stating: ‘Just do it. The barrier between making your film and dreaming about it is much shorter now.’ His message to African filmmakers is clear—there are fewer barriers to entry today than ever before, and now is the time to take advantage of that.
With his passionate advocacy and direct investments in Africa’s film industry, Idris Elba is positioning himself as a key figure in the continent’s cinematic future. His call to action is expected to resonate not just with filmmakers but with policymakers and investors who have the power to transform Africa’s film industry into a global powerhouse.
Elba’s push for more investment, better infrastructure, and local empowerment may well be the catalyst African cinema needs to reach new heights—both domestically and on the global stage.
Credit: Africabriefing
