Djimon Hounsou Discusses Acting Career, Amistad, and New Production Venture

The veteran actor spoke at the AfroBerlin conference about his breakout role, challenges of getting period films about the African diaspora made, and launching his production company Fanaticus Media Group.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a keynote session at the AfroBerlin conference, acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou discussed his lengthy acting career, including his breakout role in the 1997 film Amistad directed by Steven Spielberg. Hounsou recalled the audition process for Amistad and the difficulties in getting period films about the African diaspora made in Hollywood. He also shared details about launching his new production company Fanaticus Media Group, whose first feature film Calabash premiered at the event.

Why it matters

Hounsou's insights shed light on the challenges faced by Black actors and filmmakers in the industry, as well as the importance of purpose-driven storytelling that connects the African diaspora. His new production venture aims to uplift the spirits of African youth through meaningful media content.

The details

Hounsou revealed that for the Amistad audition, the casting director asked actors if they could speak any African language and perform their scenes in that dialect, which frustrated Hounsou. He also noted that Spielberg had to use his own $40 million to get Amistad made, as others were hesitant to fund a period film about the African diaspora. Hounsou has now launched Fanaticus Media Group to produce culture-clash stories that connect Africa and its diaspora, starting with the film Calabash.

  • Amistad was Hounsou's breakout role in 1997.
  • Hounsou gave the keynote address at the AfroBerlin conference in 2026.

The players

Djimon Hounsou

An acclaimed actor known for roles in films like Amistad, In America, and Blood Diamond, and has also appeared in Marvel and DC Universe titles. He has now launched a production company called Fanaticus Media Group.

Steven Spielberg

The renowned filmmaker who directed Amistad, which was the first film he directed for his newly-launched DreamWorks Pictures.

Fanaticus Media Group (FMG)

Hounsou's new production company that aims to create meaningful media content connecting Africa and its diaspora, starting with the film Calabash.

Calabash

FMG's first feature film, described as a 'culture-clash comedy' that explores the dynamics when two families with distinct traditions and expectations come together for a wedding celebration.

Zealot

Another project Hounsou has in the works, a thriller film directed by Vadim Perelman and based on the play Damascus, which Hounsou stars in alongside Kodi Smit-McPhee.

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What they’re saying

“It took a respected white man to do a film like Amistad. It's such a hurdle, and Steven Spielberg couldn't get funding for Amistad, so he used his own money, 40 million, to make the film.”

— Djimon Hounsou, Actor (Deadline)

“And even after he made Amistad, people told him off. They said to him, Why would you do that? Why tell that story? And for decades, people would see me in the grocery store and say, Why would you bring that story back? As if we're not worthy of telling our stories in profound ways.”

— Djimon Hounsou, Actor (Deadline)

“Calabash is pretty much the vision that I have for my foundation: creating the connection between Africa and its diaspora. This is a story about Africa meeting Afro descendants in the States, and showcasing the differences and how we look at each other.”

— Djimon Hounsou, Actor and Producer (Deadline)

“Most of our rich business Africans have not understood the importance of investing in this industrial revolution. And so how do we uplift the spirits of the youth of Africa if you don't have tangible media or content. This is what my company, Fanaticus Media Group, is driven to do.”

— Djimon Hounsou, Actor and Producer (Deadline)

What’s next

Hounsou's new production company Fanaticus Media Group is expected to continue developing more films and TV shows that explore the connections between Africa and its diaspora.

The takeaway

Djimon Hounsou's keynote at AfroBerlin underscores the ongoing challenges Black actors and filmmakers face in getting meaningful stories about the African diaspora made in Hollywood, as well as his commitment to using his platform to uplift African youth through purpose-driven media content.