Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hails “a fantastic addition to our capital’s world-leading culture offer”
photographed by Michael Tubes
Ebony Life Place Opens Today in London
A dedicated home for African and Black cinema opens in London today, at the heart of a new kind of cultural and entertainment destination celebrating African and Black creativity.
Opening to the public this weekend, EbonyLife Place London is a first-of-its-kind destination, bringing film, food, fashion, art, music and entertainment together under one roof, providing a platform for established and emerging creative talent from across Africa and the global Black diaspora.
Created by internationally renowned media entrepreneur and EbonyLife Group founder Mo Abudu, named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, the new venue sits between Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms and aims to become a landmark for African and Black culture, creativity and storytelling.
At its heart is the 160-seat Amani Auditorium, the UK’s only cinema dedicated exclusively to African and Black film. Its year-round film programme will showcase Nollywood alongside African and Black cinema and storytelling from the UK, Caribbean, US and beyond.
But the Amani Auditorium has been designed as much more than a cinema. It will also provide a platform for masterclasses, industry panels, fireside conversations, keynotes, live acoustic performances and cultural and business events, bringing together celebrated names and the next generation of creative talent.
Mo Abudu, Founder and CEO of EbonyLife Group, said: “EbonyLife Place London is about bringing the richness of African and Black creativity together under one roof, through our films, food, fashion, art, music and stories. We are incredibly proud of our Nigerian roots, but our vision extends across Africa and the global Black diaspora. We want to provide a platform for outstanding creativity and storytelling, whether it comes from Lagos, London, Accra, Kingston, New York or elsewhere in the world.
“We also want this to be a place of discovery, somewhere you can experience the names you already know, but also discover the filmmakers, artists, designers and musicians everyone could be talking about next. You don’t have to come here just to watch a film. You might come for dinner, discover an artist or designer, attend a masterclass, listen to a conversation or simply meet friends for a drink. Our cultural identity is clear, but our invitation is open to everyone. Whether you already know and love these cultures or are experiencing something new, we want you to feel genuinely welcome here.”
The opening of EbonyLife Place London has been strongly supported by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Last year, the Mayor visited EbonyLife Place in Lagos as part of his trade mission to Africa.
Together with Mo Abudu, they hosted a special London edition of Lagos Canvas bringing together leading figures from Lagos’s art and entertainment businesses to celebrate creative links and forge new partnerships. The new EbonyLife Place London is a fantastic example of the close working relationship between Lagos and London.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “EbonyLife Place London is a fantastic addition to our capital’s world-leading culture offer. By showing the very best films by African and Black filmmakers, alongside music, art, fashion and food, this new venue will be a leading destination to celebrate Black creativity from around the world. I was honoured to visit EbonyLife Place in Lagos last year as part of my historic trade mission to Africa and have been proud to support the incredible Mo Abudu as she has delivered this new venue to London. Today’s opening during Black History Month is a demonstration of how our capital celebrates our wonderful diversity, as we build a better London for everyone.”
His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, said: “EbonyLife Place was born in Lagos in 2019, and it is wonderful to see this proudly Lagosian vision now taking its place in London. This is more than the opening of a new cultural destination; it is a celebration of African creativity, culture and storytelling, and a bridge between Lagos and the world.”
Music will form a key part of the EbonyLife Place London programme, with the venue hosting established African and diaspora artists alongside emerging musicians, DJs and new sounds through live performances, listening parties and curated music experiences. The ambition is simple: a stage where stars feel at home, and where audiences discover the next generation of talent first.
Visitors can dine at The Afrobeat, an intimate 40-seat restaurant celebrating African cuisine with a contemporary approach; enjoy drinks at the Fèhìntì Lounge; and discover Zuri Retail, a curated African concept store offering a fresh, contemporary edit of fashion, accessories, design and lifestyle brands from across the continent and its diaspora, where leading names sit alongside the emerging designers London will be talking about next.
The Living Wall Gallery will serve as a rotating exhibition canvas for contemporary African and diaspora fine art and photography, presenting emerging talent alongside acclaimed artists with the ambition of a serious contemporary art space.
Born in London, Abudu has built EbonyLife into one of Africa’s most internationally recognised media brands. She has been named one of Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and has developed international creative partnerships with organisations including Netflix, Sony Pictures and BBC Studios.
EbonyLife Place London marks the latest chapter in Abudu’s ambition to create international platforms for African stories, creators and businesses, bringing Africa’s flavours and creativity to the world and creating a bridge between Africa, London and audiences everywhere.
Its opening programme includes a partnership with Film Africa, the UK’s largest annual festival celebrating African cinema.
Beyond the opening, the venue will work with African and Black creative communities across film, music, fashion, art and other disciplines, providing a year-round programme of screenings, performances, showcases, conversations, networking, events and collaborations.
A membership offering will also launch, with a range of tiers to be announced in the coming months. Membership will sit alongside the venue’s open-to-all programme, giving regular visitors new ways to be part of its community.
Abudu said: “Membership is about building community and belonging. We want people to feel that EbonyLife Place London is their place, somewhere they come back to, connect with others and discover something new every time. Whether you’re a member or visiting for the first time, everyone is welcome here.”
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