EbonyLife Group and Logical African Partners have officially launched a $50 million fund dedicated to financing African cinema. The initiative, known as the Afro Film Fund, is designed to support the continent's filmmakers by providing structured financing opportunities. The partnership between the two entities was formalized on Tuesday in Paris, marking a significant development in the African film industry.
The fund intends to finance approximately 35 African films over the next eight years. This strategy involves supporting an estimated four to nine projects annually. The backers describe the target productions as commercially viable, culturally relevant, and internationally competitive. The investment strategy is tailored to serve audiences across Africa as well as the global African diaspora, with selected productions positioned for wider international distribution.
The first disbursements from the fund are scheduled for late Q1 or early Q2 of 2027. Mo Abudu, the founder and CEO of EbonyLife Group, stated that the fund will address the critical need for structured financing. She noted that this initiative will help take African cinema to even greater heights. Pape Boye, the Vice President of Logical African Partners, described the launch as a new chapter for the industry.
In addition to the film fund, Abudu signed a separate agreement with the French National Centre for Cinema and the Image, known as the CNC. This agreement supports the Audiovisual Next Gen program, an 18-month accelerator designed to offer mentorship. The program is open to 15 professionals under the age of 35 from across the creative industries. Abudu will serve as the Global Ambassador for this initiative.
The Audiovisual Next Gen program is organized by the CNC and backed by several major industry players. These backers include EbonyLife, Netflix, the RTL Group, and Mediawan. The first cohort of participants, which is comprised entirely of women, is expected to be announced at the end of January 2027. Abudu said these two partnerships reflect a commitment to building a stronger and more sustainable African creative industry.
The Audiovisual Next Gen program was originally announced in September at the Lumière Summit. That event brought together key industry players and government decision-makers from around the world to explore the future of film. French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard was present at the signing ceremony in Paris and referenced the summit as proof that new alliances can be built. She stated that these alliances are necessary to respond to the unprecedented transformation of the screen industries.
Pégard added that the two agreements signed with EbonyLife Group represent a concrete response to these challenges. She emphasized that France, through its institutions and cultural industries, is at the center of the global response to these developments. The minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between different sectors to support the evolving landscape of media production.
Mo Abudu is a London-born entrepreneur who founded EbonyLife Group. The company is a pan-African organization with a portfolio that spans film and television production, cinema exhibition, talent development, training, and digital distribution. Her most recent venture is EbonyLife Place London, a multi-purpose cultural hub in the U.K. capital that celebrates African and Black film, art, and culture.
Logical Pictures Group was founded in 2016 and has become a leading player in film and TV equity in France and internationally. The group expanded its footprint into the African market in 2024 with the launch of Logical African Partners. This investment vehicle aims to bridge the gap between European capital and African creative talent.
Pape Boye partnered with the French group in 2023 to launch Black Mic Mac, a production banner that champions African and Middle Eastern talent. The company's slate includes the revenge thriller 3 Cold Dishes, which is executive produced by Burna Boy. Boye stated that the Afro Film Fund represents an important opportunity to unlock the enormous potential of African cinema by bringing together investment and creative talent.
