By Chinasaokwu Helen okoro
Sierra Leone- British superstar Idris Alba has been granted 80 hectares of land in Zanzibar to establish an international film studio.The announcement was made on Thursday 1st, during the 27th anniversary celebration of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
Zanzibar minister of investment , Shariff Ali Shariff confirmed the government’s discussion with Elba and the allocation of the land.
” The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar under the leadership of Dr Hussein Nwinyi, has already granted him 80 hectares of land 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 if we will call it Hollywood or Zawoo, I don’t know”.
The idea for this project is first discussed in January 2023, when Zuhura Yunus, then the Director Of Presidential Communication, announced Elba,s plan. This came shortly after when Elba and his wife , Sabrina Elba, met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Idris acting career began with minor television roles, but he rose to fame in 2002 for his portrayal of Stringer Bell’s in the hit series ‘The wirer’. He continued to gain acclaim with his role in ‘ Luther’ and has starred in major films such as ‘Pacific Run’ , ‘ Mandela: Long walk to freedom’ ,’ 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 talents
