EXCLUSIVE: Veteran actor Djimon Hounsou has launched a new production company, Fanaticus Media Group (FMG).
FMG will be headed by Hounsou’s longtime associate and producing partner Gemma Rocha, who will lead the company’s “strategic growth and creative expansion” alongside the two-time Oscar nominee.
The company is an offshoot of Hounsou’s previous company, Fanaticus Entertainment. The FMG team has said they aim to position themselves as both a production entity and “ecosystem builder”, with ambitions including international co-productions, diaspora-focused distribution, and long-term infrastructure development across Africa and its global communities.
FMG’s first feature title, Calabash, screened this week in Berlin as part of the AfroBerlin programme. Hounsou was also the guest speaker at this year’s AfroBerlin conference. Directed by Omar S. Kamara, the film is described as a “culture-clash comedy that peels back the veneer of a seemingly perfect wedding to reveal the chaos simmering underneath.”
The synopsis reads: When two families with distinct traditions, expectations, and unspoken agendas come together for a celebration meant to unite them, anxiety-fueled scenarios quickly spiral.
“Calabash is a joyful exploration of what happens when Africa and its diaspora collide — culturally, emotionally, and comedically,” Kamara said in a statement. “It’s a story rooted in shared heritage, but told with a contemporary lens that we believe will resonate with audiences worldwide.”
Hounsou’s producing credits include Elephant White (2011), The Road to Freedom Park (2013), and his directorial debut In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven (2018).
Rocha added: “We’re incredibly honored for Djimon to be speaking at AfroBerlin and to bring a sneak-peek screening of Calabash to the festival — particularly following the film’s special screening at Sundance. AfroBerlin’s commitment to showcasing African stories aligns perfectly with the spirit of the film and the global conversations it is designed to spark, and we’re proud that this moment also marks the official introduction of Fanaticus Media Group’s next chapter.”