Dust to Dreams Idris Elba, Mo Abudu work on Nigerian short film

Hollywood star, Idris Elba, is set to direct a Lagos-based short film, titled Dust To Dreams, in a collaboration with Nigerian filmmaker, Mo Abudu.

The film is a collaboration between Abudu's EbonyLife Films and African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (Canex), according to a report by Deadline published on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Dust to Dreams follows the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter as she meets her father for the first time.

British-Nigerian music star, Seal, is part of the film's cast alongside Nollywood stars Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, and former Nigerian Idol contestant, Constance Olatunde.

Abudu, who created the film, will serve as both executive producer and producer, with Heidi Uys as supervising producer. Other co-producers on the project are Temidayo Makanjuola, Inem King, and Vanessa Demme.

"I am delighted to be working with Afreximbank and this incredibly talented team. Dust To Dreams is a story close to my heart, and I'm thrilled to bring it to life with such passionate collaborators," Abudu said of the project.

Mo Abudu's partnership with Elba aims to build capacity and foster authentic representation in global film and TV projects [Instagram/@moabudu] Pulse Nigeria

Dust To Dreams is the first notable production to come out of a co-production deal Abudu and Elba signed through their respective production companies, EbonyLife Media and Green Door Pictures, in 2023.

"I have always been passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact. By partnering with Mo, we aim to offer free, world-class industry education to the next generation of storytellers and bring their authentic voices to the forefront," Elba said of the deal last year.

"This partnership is a step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse media landscape, one that represents the voices and experiences of Africa and its Diaspora around the world," the Hollywood star added.