Renowned Hollywood actor Idris Elba has reportedly been granted over 80 acres of land on the islands of Zanzibar by the government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the construction of modern film studios.
According to a report in The Citizen, the announcement was made public last Thursday during the 27th edition of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF).
Shariff Ali Sharrif, the Minister of Investment in Zanzibar, confirmed that fruitful discussions had taken place between the government and Idris Elba, leading to the land being handed over.
"The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, under the leadership of Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, has already granted him 80 acres in Fumba to establish international film studios," he was quoted as saying.
According to the report, these studios are expected to compete with those in Bollywood, Nollywood, and even Hollywood, with the minister hinting that the studio might be named Zollywood or Zawoo.
It is worth noting that in January last year, Zuhura Yunus, the former Director of Presidential Communications for President Samia Suluhu, announced that discussions had taken place between the president and Elba regarding the potential of this project.
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