Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Idris Elba and Riz Ahmed at Red Sea Film Festival
Idris Elba and Riz Ahmed talked about their careers at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah.
Idris Elba shared his new movie 'This Is How It Goes,' which he directed and filmed in Ghana.
He also showed a short film called 'Dust To Dreams,' which he directed and filmed in Lagos, Nigeria.
Riz Ahmed talked about how he had to move to the U.S. to find better roles because the UK industry didn't have many opportunities for someone like him.
He said Idris Elba advised him to go to the U.S. and bet on himself, which helped him get roles in movies like 'Nightcrawler' and TV shows like 'The Night Of.'
Both actors are part of the festival's jury.
Idris Elba teased his upcoming film 'This Is How It Goes' directed for Apple TV, shot in Ghana.
The film is based on Neil LaBute's play and stars Elba, Charlie Cox, and Wunmi Mosaku.
Elba expressed his desire to transition from acting to full-time directing.
He shared a short film 'Dust To Dreams' at the Red Sea Film Festival, which he directed and was shot in Lagos, Nigeria.
Riz Ahmed discussed his career journey, highlighting the limited opportunities in the UK and his successful transition to the U.S. industry.
- Who
- Idris Elba and Riz Ahmed
- What
- Discussed their careers and film projects at the Red Sea Film Festival
- When
- During the Red Sea Film Festival
- Where
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Why
- To promote their projects and discuss their career journeys
UK Industry
US Industry
Career Opportunities
UK Industry
Limited roles for actors like Riz Ahmed, especially in period dramas.
US Industry
More opportunities and better roles for actors like Riz Ahmed.
- Film Title
- This Is How It Goes
- Director
- Idris Elba
- Production Company
- Apple TV
- Shooting Location
- Ghana
- Source Material
- Neil LaBute's play
- Lead Actors
- Idris Elba, Charlie Cox, Wunmi Mosaku
- Festival
- Red Sea Film Festival
- Short Film
- Dust To Dreams
- Festival Location
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Jury Members
- Sean Baker, Nadine Labaki, Olga Kurylenko, Naomie Harris, Riz Ahmed
Sources
Idris Elba Teases Ghana-Shot Apple TV Feature ‘This Is How It Goes’ At Red Sea, Says He Plans To Transition To Full-Time Directing & Recalls Awkward ‘Amistad’ Audition
'It was just a principle of mine': Idris Elba reveals why he didnt do Steven Spielbergs 'slave' film
