In Summary
- Idris Elba handed 80 acres in Zanzibar for film studios.
- The new studio is set to compete with other globally acclaimed film hubs like Hollywood and Bollywood among others.
- Last year in January Idris Elba held talks with Tanzanian president Samia Hassan at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
Hollywood star Idris Elba has been given 80 acres of land in Zanzibar for the purposes of setting up a state-of-the-art film studio.
Zanzibar is known for its tropical weather and beautiful beaches making it a leading tourist destination.
And now, with the new development Zanzibar is set to become a film hub with the new studios set to compete with other globally acclaimed film hubs like Hollywood and Bollywood among others.
The announcement was made a fortnight ago during the 27th anniversary of Zanzibar’s Film Industry, ZIIF by the Minister for Industrialization, Shariff Ali Shariff.
In the same aspect, last year the permanent secretary for culture, arts and sports, Said Yakub disclosed that Mama Samia Suluhu had met Idris Elba.
He noted that Suluhu and Elba had talked at length with the latter affirming to set a studio in Zanzibar.
He further added that the location had been already picked with their talks in the final stages.
“Lakini kama mnavyofahamu mheshimiwa raisi akiwa kule Dagos alikutana na mcheza filamu Idris Elba ambaye tunaendelea na mazungumzo naye katika kusudio lake la kujenga filamu ya kisasa hapa nchini tayari amekwisha chagua Zanzibar ndio ambapo studio yake ya kisasa itajengwa na serikali ya Zanzibar imekwisha toa eneo kwa hiyo ni mawasiliano tu yanaendelea na Bwana Idris Elba” he asserted partly.
When Idris Elba Met Mama Samia Suluhu
Last year in January, Tanzanian president Mama Samia Suluhu met Idris Elba in Switzerland at the World Economic Forum.
Elba was in the company of his wife, Sabrina during the workshop.
In the meantime, the news of the new studios in Zanzibar has created a buzz with both creatives and film lovers upbeat of its formation.
Indeed, this will be a game changer to many talents while also opening up the East African region to the global market.
