A short film called “Dust To Dreams,” directed by British director Idris Elba and starring Atlanta Bridget Johnson (Man Of God), Nse Ikpe-Etim (Shanty Town), and Eku Edewor (Breath Of Life), is about to be released by Nigerian media entrepreneur and filmmaker Mo Abudu. Constance Olatunde, a previous competitor on Nigerian Idol, Seal, a British singer and former America’s Got Talent judge, and a few members of Mo Abudu’s Create Africa team are also included in the cast.
The film, which was co-produced by African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus and EbonyLife Films, led by Mo Abudu, is set in Lagos and explores the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter who is seeing her father for the first time.
Idris Elba is the writer and director of “Dust To Dreams,” while Mo Abudu is the creator and producer. As supervisor producer on the project, Heidi Uys—a frequent collaborator of Mo Abudu—is joined by co-producers Temidayo Makanjuola and Inem King. First AD May Baykar, costume designer Yolanda Okereke, and UK producer Vanessa Demme round out the crew.
Idris Elba, a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Television, and Screen Actors Guild Award winner, is renowned for his outstanding roles in movies like as Luther and Beasts of No Nation. The British criminal drama Yardie (2018) was the director’s directorial debut for the Hollywood actor, who is of Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean descent.
The production firm behind the critically acclaimed Nollywood films Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman, and Òlųturé, Chief Daddy, is Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife. Last year, Mo Abudu and Idris Elba announced that they were working together to produce a variety of African films and television programs and to nurture African-based talent.
Seal, a multi-Grammy winner whose mother is Nigerian, has acted in a few movies over the years. He co-starred with American stars Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg in the comedy Me Time, released in 2022, and he played Pontius Pilate in The Passion, a live musical on Fox.
“I am delighted to be working with Afreximbank and this incredibly talented team,” Mo Abudu said. “Dust To Dreams is a story close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to bring it to life with such passionate collaborators.”
“The collaboration with EbonyLife Films is a testament to our commitment to empowering Africa’s creative economy through the Canex Programme,” remarked Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank. “The Bank is committed to supporting Africa’s creative industries through financing, facilitation, providing market access solutions, capacity building and other services.”
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