VIDEO: African stories deserve own space, platform — Mo Abudu

Nigerian media executive Mo Abudu has said the only way to deal with racism is by providing a different narrative, as she opens a permanent London cinema dedicated to African and Black films.

Abudu spoke in an interview with BBC Africa, posted on its X page on Friday.

Asked what she intends to achieve with a permanent space for African movies, she said the venue would give the continent’s stories a lasting home.

“You know, racism really is real. And the only way to deal with racism is to deal with racism, and it’s by providing a different narrative,” she said.

She added that the venue would showcase more than films.

“This just gives a permanent 24-7 home to our films, to our food, to our fashion,” Abudu said.

The cinema, she explained, was not meant to keep Black and African films off other platforms.

“It’s not to say that Black and African films can’t sit on other platforms, but I think predominantly because we’re so underrepresented, we need to create spaces where we feel safe and where our content can be shared amongst us,” she said.

Abudu said the space would also welcome people outside the community.

“And also we want to invite the rest of the world in. And the only way that you can achieve that is by being in charge of that narrative,” she stated.

Recounting her own experience, she said growing up in England had left her feeling like an ambassador for all things African or Nigerian.

“So being brought up in England, I found myself for the longest time literally being an ambassador for everything that was African or Nigerian. You will be asked the most pathetic questions,” she said.

She noted that she and others often endured such remarks in silence.

“People would sometimes say pathetic things to you, and you kind of just like swallow it and move on,” Abudu said.

Watch Video Here:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 — 𝐌𝐨 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐮

Credit: X | BBC Africa

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