The short film Dust to Dreams, by British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba, and produced by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, will make its premiere on streaming platform EbonyLife ON Plus on November 14.
The film boasts an international cast that includes British singer-songwriter Seal and Nollywood stars Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, and Constance Olatunde.
Speaking to Variety, Elba described the production as “the most collaborative process from the production to the actors and musicians,” adding that Dust to Dreams was made to show that “family matters and love don’t die.”
Produced by Abudu, Heidi Uys, Gina Carter, Temidayo Makanjuola, and Inem King under EbonyLife Films, the film is a tale of love, family, and the shared humanity that connects people.
“Bringing Dust to Dreams to life has been a dream come true,” said Abudu. “This film is a heartfelt reflection of who we are, our love for family, our passion for music, and our deep connections to one another. These emotions are universal, and through this story, we invite the world to see that we are not so different after all. This is not a film about poverty or pity porn that the Western world often expects from us.”
Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and a European screening at the BFI London Film Festival, the film will now qualify for Oscar and BAFTA eligibility.
A special will also air behind the scenes on EbonyLife ON, while the original soundtrack, Mama, written by Seal, Olatunde, Elba, and The Cavemen, will be released on Spotify globally on November 14.
