Head Honcho's Blog

KushCinema CEO Marlon Palmer: Lets Connect - My Turbulent Journey So Far

11 Nov 2025

Dear KushCinema Family,

Apologies as this will be a bit of a long one but I am trying to get an important message across so may repeat myself, hope you take the time to read it fully (or at least the important bits 😊) – I promise all future communications will be shorter.

I am Marlon Palmer — owner of Kush Films proudly celebrating 28 years as a pioneer film exhibitor/distributor in the UK film industry and who was one of the first to open doors to UK cinemas and create access for you the black community and our black filmmakers; now as a pioneering founder once again I proudly present to you KushCinema incorporating KushTVee.

Before I go fully into my recent journey; first of all, deep from my heart: THANK YOU to Every One of you who has subscribed, and especially those that spent money and rented a film over the last year — I see you, I appreciate you, and I’m humbly grateful.

Many of you will have attended and enjoyed past physical film screening events and know me as a long-standing champion of Black British film entertainment.

Well, this is a new chapter and the beginning of a new sensational story between us because I would not be here doing what I do without you the black community and especially black women whom has always supported Kush Films; a brand globally synonymous with ‘Black Films’.




My Journey - To This Point:
I have been on a bit of mad journey since Covid building KushCinema (which wasn’t initially planned – it just happened, because of Covid Lockdown and my anger at the George Floyd murder) and then last year I suddenly becoming ill straight after three years of hard work and launching this platform, bringing life into full focus for me. The universe (God, Allah, Jah etc) forced me to slow down &  take time out, I then had to disappear to revitalize my health and refocus my life. 

After 24 revolutionary years running Kush Films, and three intense years building  KushCinema; shortly after our official launch last year March, I suffered serious stress related muscular tension issues and my whole body seized-up, with permanent numbness down my left arm and my neck, also issues with my left leg leaving me not able to walk fully for about seven weeks.

It was scary – a life of work, work, work  knocked me down and reminded me of what life was truly all about (it cant all be  about work and chasing money). We have one life and we should do everything to embrace that life and enjoy it fully while we can! OUR HEALTH IS OUR TRUE WEALTH!

After becoming ill, I intended to take a six-week break in Jamaica but once there I experienced a different ‘God Blessed’ stress free life and six weeks became six months of healing, reflection and rebirth. I was also taken in by a large group of Black Brits (ex-pats), some who knew who I was, they all stuck together in JA like one big family and are building new lives there, I was in heaven and found peace, clarity, new friends and a new blueprint for life.

Its so sad about the recent hurricane; My heart is with Jamaica right now (we are trying to see how we can help).

Moving Forward Together:

The other important lesson I learned was to embrace positivity not negativity(I was stressed daily from my work, and nurtured a feeling that I wasn’t getting the support I needed) and to be honest; I was often complaining about friends, supporters and family not signing up, watching content etc, etc on KushCinema – after 27 years of Kush Films entertaining the black community, I just expected better widespread support immediately – I now realise this was short-sighted and conceited

I am now back with a refreshed more open, chilled and accepting mindset, have clarity and realise as any true business owner does that ‘black people’ are just like any other consumer target market, and not everyone will support just because its me and a pioneering black-owned business. 

I now accept KushCinema will not be for everyone – only those whose values we match; our services resonate and we offer solutions to the black film entertainment they seek  - only these people will truly be proactive about supporting this new small but every growing pioneering ‘Black-Owned’ streaming platform – I truly appreciate we are here to serve and it’s all about you the customer and your needs and wants! 

This is just the start of a very long journey and together we will build the UK’s first proudly “Black-Owned” community-driven streaming platform, creating a one-stop shop to easily find and enjoy global stories that reflect and celebrate Black culture whilst also placing a historical spotlight on black British cinema (hey, if we don’t champion ourselves who will!).

KushCinema incorporating KushTVee will also create new much-needed national and international distribution opportunities for black and minority content creators and fill a longstanding funding gap by supporting co-production of new inspiring original content. 

This isn’t about competing with Netflix or the likes (they have two decades head start and can spend $200 million producing one film).

This is about being us, creating more access to great and positive black entertainment for you, championing disadvantaged voices, creating new monetization opportunities for black content creators and building a platform that proudly puts black business ownership & black culture positively first (and  shining a light on Black British). 

Let me know if you feel the vibe and on this culture changing journey with us?

The Mission Ahead:

KushCinema is a start-up business and needs to go through years of development and growth, and myself much learning as this is a pioneering UK black film streaming business and we will be walking a new road. The aim is not to replicate the likes of Netflix, Amazon etc as we will never be able to compete on that level with budgets and sheer content they own and have; thus constantly attracting your attention. We have to be creative, different, niche and specialise, but most importantly for me; positively represent black culture as as only a black-owned business can.

I and the team that I am developing have so much work to do; 

• Raising major rounds of investment starting now.

• Continuous technical development of the platform, new app and partners.

• Incorporating ever-developing AI technology.

• Acquiring a vast amount of selective content continuously.

• Building out a specialist team & more. 

I promise I wont stop until we build an amazing entertaining, educational and inspirational streaming platform where you can easily find the content that you and family want to see, and you'll will be able to enjoy content that reflects our black British and global black culture and also use it to empower and educate our youth to our history here.

Lots to do and it wont happen over night! 

New Elements Coming:

KushCinema VIP Subscription Membership

• inc 30% discount on all rental titles on KushCinema

• Exclusive ‘Members Only’ bi-monthly online screenings

• An invitation only film fan community

• Access to special celebrity & cultural icon interviews.

• 50% discount on tickets to Kush Film Club physical cinema film screening events in London (and beyond). 

• Invites to exclusive film industry press screenings of new release films.

Are You Interested in VIP Membership subscription Access?
(full details of the subscription package coming shortly)

Reply & let us know — we’ll add you to the waiting list. 

(Pic copyright: EducatorsTechnology)

An Important Time In History:

Right now, Black history, positive representation, and DEI opportunities are being rolled back. After George Floyd's murder we became the flavour of the month. Now its all changed racism is on the rise, our history is being erased, our youth are being lost to mental health issues, confusion about their true identity and increasing violence - and all these mainstream platforms profit off us without giving back to our communities. Are we not tired of funding them all - don’t we need our own alternative black-owned businesses we can be proud of and support! 

We deserve better because our 'Black Pound Matters'

KushCinema - aims to make a big difference with your support.

This is an opportunity to stand together, support black ownership, and build beneficial legacy for our culture.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:

After my health scare I realise that I was taking on too much (man ain’t young any more), I was too blinkered and had tunnel vision but now need skilled but also  visionary support (not people who just want a fast buck and to get paid - but those who want to change the future).

I am very much looking for:

• A co-founder (partner with documented start-up & business management skills)

• A right-hand Assistant /Administrator 

• Platform content management manager

• Content Researcher

• CTO (chief Technical Officer)

• Social Media/Marketing Manager

• Fundraising / Investment Acquisition Manager

   

I’d love your personal advice on using KushCinema.com, and development things I have relayed here especially on how we can improve the service — love to get an email from you.





Fundraising/ Investment:

We are reigniting our fundraising efforts and is relaunching our crowdfunding campaign (which froze after I became ill) to raise an initial £72,0000 as well as seeking angle investors who may be interested in equity shares in this business, there will also be other rounds of funding; and in years to come we aim to scale even further by seeking major Venture Capital investment and once we have a profitable possibly sell as a successful black business.  

More details here – As others have done you can also make a one-off or a recuring monthly Donation to help us build and grow (donate £5/£10/£15 monthly for a set period of time):
https://kushcinema.com/friends-of-kush

"It is in our moments of decision that our destiny is shaped" (Tony Robbins)

I hope you make a conscious decision to use KushCinema.com, help the platform develop and grow and together we build a lasting legacy, you & family enjoy and it ultimately benefits our culture! 

Marlon Palmer
Founder
KushCinema