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Hollywood star Idris Elba goes back to his roots and declares: “Africa is cinema’s future”

“AFRICA is cinema’s future,” declared Idris Elba at the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, Ghana,

The British actor, known for his roles in “The Wire” and “Luther,” was not just a guest at the continent’s premier film industry event, but a passionate advocate for African cinema’s potential, according to the Daily Mail.

The Daily Mail reveals that Elba, born to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother, has deep roots in Africa. His starring roles in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and the Ghana-shot “Beasts of No Nation” underscore his commitment to telling African stories.

At the summit, Elba emphasized the rich heritage of African cinema, particularly in French-speaking countries. However, he noted a crucial challenge: “Our stories have yet to springboard on that wider landscape,” he said.

The Daily Mail highlights the stark contrast in cinema infrastructure between Africa and other parts of the world. With only about 1,700 cinemas serving the world’s youngest population, Africa lags far behind the United States (44,000 cinemas) and China (75,500 cinemas), according to figures cited by the Daily Mail.

Elba’s vision, as reported by the Daily Mail, focuses on building a robust, self-sustaining African film ecosystem. “We need bums on seats,” he stated, stressing the importance of domestic success alongside international recognition. The actor-producer is putting his words into action through his production companies, IE7 and The Akuna Group, which aim to nurture African talent.

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The Daily Mail’s coverage captures Elba’s optimism about the future of African cinema. He sees opportunities in the challenges, praising young filmmakers who are creating content with just their phones. However, he emphasizes the need for better distribution methods to amplify these efforts.

While acknowledging the role of global streaming platforms in showcasing African content, Elba advocates for independent distribution pipelines. “We want to penetrate international markets,” he said. “But we need to penetrate into African markets as well.”

The newspaper recounts Elba’s own journey from London to Hollywood stardom, including his breakthrough role in “The Wire” and his Golden Globe-winning performance in “Luther.” Now, at 52, Elba sees himself as a bridge between Hollywood and African cinema.

As the Africa Cinema Summit concluded, the Daily Mail reports that Elba’s vision extends beyond personal accolades. He envisions a thriving African film industry that resonates with local audiences while captivating global viewers. “We have a long way to go,” Elba acknowledged, but his passion and commitment suggest a promising future for African cinema, according to the Daily Mail’s inspiring coverage of the event.

By The African Mirror

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