Hollywood superstar Idris Elba has been granted 80 acres of land in Zanzibar to establish an International Film Studio. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 1, during the 27th anniversary celebrations of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF).
Zanzibar’s Minister of Investment, Shariff Ali Shariff, confirmed the government’s discussions with Elba and the allocation of the land. “The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, under the leadership of Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has already granted him 80 hectares in Fumba to establish the International Film Studio,” said Mr. Shariff.
The proposed International Film Studio is expected to rival established studios in Bollywood, Hollywood, and Nollywood. Mr. Shariff added, “Now with this studio in Zanzibar, I don’t know whether we will call it Zollywood or Zawoo, I don’t know.”
The idea for this project was first discussed in January 2023, when Zuhura Yunus, then the Director of Presidential Communication, announced Elba’s plans. This came shortly after Elba and his wife, Sabrina Elba, met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Idris Elba’s acting career began with minor television roles, but he rose to fame in 2002 for his portrayal of Stringer Bell in the hit series ‘The Wire.’ He continued to gain acclaim with his role in ‘Luther,’ and has starred in major films such as ‘Pacific Rim,’ ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,’ and ‘Thor.’ In addition to his acting career, Elba is a music composer and producer, and he is actively involved in social causes.
The establishment of the International Film Studio in Zanzibar is expected to significantly boost the region’s film industry, attracting international attention and providing new opportunities for local talent.
