Hollywood icon Idris Elba has secured land in Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago, to create a state-of-the-art ‘Zollywood’ film studio. The British actor, with roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana, has long been an advocate for the development of Africa’s burgeoning film industry.
Around eighteen months after sharing his vision with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the East African nation’s authorities have officially greenlit Elba’s ambitious project. The envisioned studio aims to rival those in “Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood” and may usher in the era of “Zollywood,” according to Zanzibar’s investment minister.
“I’m not sure how we will call it in Zanzibar, whether Zollywood or Zawood,” Shariff Ali Shariff humorously remarked while addressing industry figures at the Zanzibar International Film Festival on Thursday.
In January 2023, President Samia and Elba, renowned for his roles in Luther and The Wire, discussed the studio plans at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The president’s spokesperson highlighted that “if successful, the project will help not only Tanzania but also eastern and central Africa.”
Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region off the coast of Tanzania, is celebrated for its stunning white beaches and thriving tourism industry. Last year, the 51-year-old Golden Globe winner also unveiled plans to build a film studio in Ghana. “Currently, we call it West African Studios, but that’s a working title. We’ve been working on this for three or four years to raise a plan that puts a facility at the center of African filmmaking,” the actor told Ghanaian media in February 2023.
Elba acknowledged the abundance of talent in Africa’s film industry but pointed out the inadequate facilities. A 2022 report from UNESCO supports Elba’s observation, noting that despite “significant growth in production,” African film industries face challenges such as piracy, insufficient training opportunities, and a lack of official film institutions.
Beyond strengthening Africa’s film ecosystem, Elba dreams of building an eco-friendly “smart city” in his father’s birthplace, Sierra Leone. Together with his childhood friend, he plans to rejuvenate an island off the West African country’s coast.
