Mo Abudu Opens EbonyLife Place in London to Promote African and Black Cinema

Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu has officially opened EbonyLife Place, a new cinema and cultural hub dedicated to Black and African storytelling in south-west London.

The venue, located near Nine Elms, was unveiled at a ceremony attended by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Abudu, the founder of EbonyLife. The opening coincides with the London Film Festival, placing the new centre in the spotlight during a major event on the city’s film calendar.

Abudu said the project was driven by a desire to create a dedicated space for stories that have not always received sufficient representation in the United Kingdom. She noted that younger audiences increasingly want quality storytelling and opportunities to experience films reflecting Black and African cultures.

“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,” she said. Abudu added that the UK needed more venues dedicated to Black cinema, stressing the importance of representation.

At the heart of EbonyLife Place is a 160-seat cinema auditorium offering a year-round programme of films. Screenings will focus primarily on Nollywood productions from Nigeria, alongside other movies exploring Black experiences and stories.

Beyond film screenings, the venue will host masterclasses, industry discussions and live performances featuring established and emerging talent. The programme is intended to provide opportunities for audiences to engage with African cinema while connecting filmmakers and other creative professionals.

The multi-storey complex also features a bar, a lounge named Fàhinti, a Nigerian restaurant, a boutique showcasing African and diaspora designers, and artwork celebrating the African diaspora. Fàhinti is a Yoruba word meaning to lean back and rest, reflecting the venue’s wider focus on leisure and cultural experiences.

The project was financed almost entirely by Abudu’s media group and follows the launch of a similar upscale lifestyle complex in Lagos in 2019. Speaking at the opening, Mayor Sadiq Khan described London as a major global film-production centre and pledged continued investment in culture during his tenure.