British actor Idris Elba announced his intention to move to Africa within the next decade to bolster the continent’s movie industry.
The star of The Wire is currently working on projects to establish film studios in both Zanzibar and Accra, Ghana.
Elba, who has a strong connection to Africa,his mother is Ghanaian and his father is from Sierra Leone expressed his commitment to helping Africans tell their own stories. He stated, “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” during a recent cinema industry meeting in Accra.
While Elba plans to spend time in various locations, including Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar, he emphasized the importance of being present in Africa to support the film industry’s development. He aims to create a film in Accra’s studio someday.
He highlighted the significance of African involvement in all aspects of filmmaking, from acting to financing and distribution.
Elba believes that storytelling should reflect the continent’s rich traditions, cultures, and languages, rather than focusing solely on its struggles.
Despite the growth of the film industry in Nigeria’s Nollywood and other regions, Elba acknowledged that facilities in Africa remain inadequate. He called for investment in storytelling and government support to create a thriving film environment.
Elba’s vision aligns with a UNESCO report indicating challenges such as piracy and a lack of training opportunities hindering the African film sector.
He remains optimistic about establishing a positive cycle of development within the industry.
