Idris Elba to Relocate to Africa to Boost Film Industry
British actor Idris Elba has announced his intention to relocate to Africa within the next decade to support the continent’s burgeoning film industry. The actor, known for his role in the acclaimed series The Wire, disclosed his plans during an interview with the BBC.
The 52-year-old star is spearheading projects aimed at establishing a film studio on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar, as well as another in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. Drawing personal connections to the continent, Elba’s mother hails from Ghana, and his father is from Sierra Leone.
Elba expressed a desire to leverage his fame and influence to empower Africa’s film sector, emphasizing the importance of Africans telling their own stories. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” he stated, pointing to a timeline of moving in the next five to ten years if all goes well.
In advocating for Pan-Africanism, Elba opted not to commit to a specific location, asserting, “I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown, I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important.”
He also aims to produce films in his Accra studio in the future, ultimately highlighting the necessity for Africans to be involved in all aspects of filmmaking, from acting to financing and distribution.
Elba, who portrayed Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic Long Walk to Freedom, believes that showcasing Africa authentically is vital. He remarked, “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma… it’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture.”
With Nigeria’s Nollywood producing hundreds of films annually, the industry has become one of the country’s most successful exports. There is also a strong legacy of high-quality film production, particularly in parts of Francophone Africa. A 2022 report from UNESCO highlighted that, despite significant growth in production, African filmmaking faces challenges, including piracy, lack of training opportunities, and limited official film institutions.
Elba advocates for an environment that fosters filmmaking, stating, “We have to invest in our storytelling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself, and that encourages us.”