Idris Elba, renowned for his roles in Luther and Hijack, is set to direct the short film Dust To Dreams, featuring singer Seal and Nollywood stars Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, and Constance Olatunde, a former Nigerian Idol contestant.
Produced in collaboration with Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films and African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus (Canex), the film unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria, delving into the poignant relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter as they navigate meeting the father for the first time.
Conceived by Mo Abudu and helmed by Elba, the film boasts a stellar lineup of producers including Abudu herself, Heidi Uys, Temidayo Makanjuola, Inem King, and Vanessa Demme.
Golden Globe winner Elba, hailing from Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian descent, alongside Nigerian media mogul Abudu, embarked on a mission last year to nurture emerging talent from Africa and craft a slate of compelling African films and TV shows. Elba, known for his directorial debut in the 2018 film Yardie, brings his creative prowess to Dust To Dreams.
Seal, a multi-Grammy winner and former America’s Got Talent judge with Nigerian roots, adds depth to the cast, having showcased his dramatic chops in previous roles, including a cameo in the 2022 comedy Me Time and portraying Pontius Pilate in the Fox musical drama The Passion.
Afreximbank, a pan-African multilateral financial institution established in the early ’90s under the auspices of the African Development Bank, underscores its commitment to empowering Africa’s creative economy through collaborations like the Canex Programme.
Mo Abudu expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating, “Dust To Dreams is a story close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to bring it to life with such passionate collaborators.”
Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, highlighting the bank’s dedication to supporting Africa’s creative industries through various avenues, including financing, facilitation, and capacity building.
