Mo Abudu launches London-based cinema to expand African cultural storytelling
By Damilola Akinwale –
Nigerian media mogul Mosunmola Abudu, popularly known as Mo Abudu, has officially launched EbonyLife Place London, a new cultural hub dedicated to African cinema and Black films, providing a platform for African filmmakers to reach wider global audiences.
Speaking about her inspiration for the project, the filmmaker explained that her motivation stemmed from growing up in England, where little was known about Africa, alongside the negative perceptions of the continent she encountered. As a result, she decided to make African and Black storytelling a more familiar part of the wider cultural landscape.
Located on Wandsworth Road in London, the venue features a 160-seat cinema, restaurant, bar and retail spaces showcasing designers from Africa and its diaspora. Its year-round programme will include Nollywood productions and films exploring Black experiences in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, the United States and other markets. The venue will also host industry discussions, masterclasses and live performances.
Beyond cinema, the venue incorporates African fashion, music, art, food and culture. It features a physical exhibition space showcasing African and diaspora fashion, jewellery, beauty and design. African art is also woven into the venue’s interior through a feature known as the Living Wall Gallery.
According to Abudu, the project, officially launched on October 8, 2026, took two years of hard work, covering acquisition, planning, design, renovation, licensing, compliance, fitting out, recruitment, training and the establishment of operational systems.
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders and Nigerian celebrities, including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Benson Toke, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Florence Eshalomi. Other notable guests included Olugbenga Agboola, founder and chief executive officer of Flutterwave, and Nigerian pop star Tiwa Savage.
Celebrating the milestone, Khan wrote in a post: “From Nollywood to London, the story continues. I joined Mo Abudu to open EbonyLife Place London, a new home for African and Black film, music, art, fashion and food. Proud to see this exciting partnership between Lagos and London, two global capitals of creativity, go from strength to strength.”
The launch was followed by a three-day reception from October 9 to 11, 2026, during which audiences experienced the venue through a curated programme of short films and special screenings. Guests also enjoyed food and drinks at the restaurant, alongside live performances featuring a lineup of DJs.
