At the Joburg Film Festival (January 31st – February 5th), NBA legend Magic Johnson, Oscar winner Samuel L. Jackson and Tony-nominated actor, director and producer LaTanya Richardson Jackson supported cinema by backing Statement Films. A women-led entertainment start-up that was created to bridge the gap between African and diaspora women creators and the global marketplace, Statement Films was founded by writer and producer Areej Noor. The company raised $750,000 in a round of funding from celebrities and a host of business leaders.

Noor grew up exposed to  powerful stories of African women, but felt they needed their space within the entertainment elite. Last year, the company announced a partnership with First Look Media’s U.S. streaming service Topic to support, develop and finance a slate of 10 feature films and episodic series from female creators from Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Uganda.

( Sourced from Variety magazine)