Idris Elba is Planning to Open a Film Studio in Tanzania

By Francis Akhalbey (Edited)

A PRESIDENTIAL AIDE in Tanzania has announced that award-winning British actor Idris Elba is interested in opening a film studio in the East African nation. According to the BBC, the aide said this comes after Elba and President Samia Suluhu Hassan held preliminary talks.

Elba and President Hassan met at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January (see pages 22, 24). “The president met with Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, they are keen to invest in a film studio in Tanzania. The talks are in the initial stage but if everything goes well then the studio will benefit not only Tanzania but east and central Africa,” Zuhura Yunus, who is the director of presidential communications, said.

President Hassan was sworn into office after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. She has ecosystem in which people of all ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences can thrive,” Gersh Senior Managing Partner Leslie Siebert said in the statement. since spearheaded multiple initiatives in foreign policy, business, trade, and investment. https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/ idris-elba-is-planning-to-open-a-film-studio-intanzania/ar-AA16ZGdL

“We are honored that Spike has chosen us to be his inaugural partner, and we are proud to welcome the five inaugural Spike Fellows into our organization,” Siebert continued.

The Spike Fellows Program is founded on the idea that possibilities will arise as a result of visibility and accessibility. Five AUCC graduates will make up the first class of Spike Fellows. Gersh will provide school debt remission, industry mentorship, postgraduate internships and full-time employment for this group.

Gersh’s Head of Culture, Jayson Council, will oversee the Fellowship program.

Image credit: standardmedia.co.ke

“I joined Gersh to lead the charge in identifying powerful opportunities and signature moments to advance cultural competence and accelerate social impact,” Council shared. “As an HBCU graduate, I am extremely proud of Gersh and Spike for their commitment to growing opportunities for AUCC graduates.” https://blavity.com/spike-lee-gersh-establish-fellowshipprogram-hbcu-students

A panel composed of Spike Lee, the AUCC community, and Gersh management will choose the five fellows for the program, which will launch in January 2023. The program will be expanded in the future with more funding and fellows as Lee and Gersh have committed to a multi-year commitment.

Image credit: prnewswire.com