Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has announced plans to build a $100 million film city in partnership with Del-York International Group, a leading media and entertainment company in Africa. The film city, named Kebulania Lagos Film City, will be a 100-hectare live, work and play facility that will offer state-of-the-art facilities, sound stages, editing suites, production offices and everything necessary to bring the magic of the silver screen to life.
The project is expected to boost innovation, talent discovery and storytelling in the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, which is the second largest producer of films in the world after India’s Bollywood. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the film city will create numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth and attract investment to the state. He said the project will be executed through a private public partnership (PPP) model that will ensure efficiency and sustainability.
“We envision a film city that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, sound stages, editing suites, production offices, and everything necessary to bring the magic of the silver screen to life,” he said at the official groundbreaking ceremony in Epe, a town in the eastern part of Lagos. He added that the film city will also serve as a hub for film production, post-production, visual effects and ancillary services that support filmmaking.
The CEO and founder of Del-York Group, Linus Idahosa, who conceived the idea three years ago, said the venture is more than a catalyst for creative mastery, economic vibrancy and job generation. He said it will serve as a key that unlocks an extraordinary future for the state.
“Collaboration is the heartbeat of creativity. With the Lagos Film City, we will unite diverse cultures in a shared creative vision, serving as a melting pot where the global creative community converges and collaborates. When we come together, work in unison, and craft stories together, we don’t just make art; we make history,” he said.
He expressed hope that collaboration between the Lagos Film City and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will generate substantial economic impact. He said with the anticipated influx of international visitors, the tourism sector alone will contribute significantly to the local economy, boosting revenue by over 20 per cent in coming years.
The film city project is part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to promote tourism, arts and culture as key drivers of development. The state has also invested in other initiatives such as the Lagos Creative Academy, the Lagos Film Commission and the Eko Culture Series.
The project has also received support from various stakeholders in the film industry, such as actors, directors, producers and distributors. They have expressed optimism that the film city will enhance the quality and quantity of films produced in Nigeria and showcase them to a global audience.
The film city is expected to be completed within 18 months and will be open to filmmakers from across Africa and beyond. It will also host various events and festivals that will celebrate the diversity and richness of African culture.
The project is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Nigerians who have overcome various challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-economic issues. It is also a sign of hope for a brighter future for Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
Source: [The Guardian]
