Veteran actor and two-time Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou is stepping further behind the camera.
Hounsou has officially launched a new production company, Fanaticus Media Group (FMG), expanding on his earlier venture, Fanaticus Entertainment. The announcement arrives alongside the Berlin screening of FMG’s first feature title, Calabash, which played this week as part of the AfroBerlin programme. Hounsou also appeared as a featured speaker at this year’s AfroBerlin conference.
Directed by Omar S. Kamara, Calabash is described as a culture-clash comedy that unravels the illusion of a picture-perfect wedding. The film centers on two families from vastly different traditions who gather to celebrate a union — only for buried tensions, expectations, and unspoken agendas to erupt into anxiety-fueled chaos.
The official 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.
The Berlin showcase follows a special screening at Sundance, signaling early international momentum for the film.
A New Chapter for Fanaticus
Fanaticus Media Group will be led by Hounsou’s longtime associate and producing partner Gemma Rocha, who will oversee the company’s “strategic growth and creative expansion” alongside the actor-producer.
FMG is positioning itself as more than just a traditional production banner. The team describes the company as both a production entity and an “ecosystem builder,” with ambitions that include:
- International co-productions
- Diaspora-focused distribution models
- Long-term infrastructure development across Africa and its global communities
The move reflects a broader vision: creating sustainable pathways for African and diaspora storytelling on a global scale.
Hounsou’s Producing Journey
While widely known for his on-screen performances, Hounsou has steadily built his producing résumé over the years. His credits include Elephant White (2011), The Road to Freedom Park (2013), and his directorial debut, In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven (2018).
With FMG, that behind-the-scenes work becomes more centralized — and more expansive.
Rocha said in a statement:
“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.”
As global conversations around ownership, infrastructure, and diaspora storytelling continue to evolve, Hounsou’s latest move signals a clear intention: build the system, don’t just work within it.