Storyland Studios, the three-dimensional storytelling firm, has announced that its partner on this project, Del-York International Group, has signed an agreement with the Lagos, Nigeria state government. This agreement formalises the studio city, which is set to revolutionise the Nigerian film industry.
Following the completion of the blue sky phase, the studio city’s name has now been revealed as Kebulania. This takes inspiration from the ancient indigenous name for the African continent, Alkebulan, which translates to mean “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden.”
“Kebulania’s name, in effect, is rooted in the soil where it will be planted,” says Ben Thompson, chief strategy officer at Storyland Studios. “It’s a symbol that this will be a creative epicentre for the continent.”
A significant milestone
Linus Idahosa, president and CEO of Del-York International and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 11 October at Lagos’ annual investor summit, Ehingbeti. The goal of the partnership is to create a leading destination for filmmaking and creativity throughout all of Africa.
“The signing is an exciting step toward Kebulania’s implementation,” says Idahosa. “It is a significant milestone on the journey to construction.”
The team is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2023 and this will take place over a period of two years. Mel McGowan, the chief creative officer at Storyland Studios, describes the setting as “ultra-modern African meets state-of-the-art studio,” combining the latest innovations to support the region’s film industry.
“Kebulania is perfectly positioned to embody the heart of African storytelling,” he adds. “Our goal is to help global citizens feel inspired and fulfilled as they experience the heart of story in Lagos’ creative ecosystem.”
Welcome to Nollywood
Nigeria’s film industry, often referred to as “Nollywood,” is the second largest movie industry in the world next to India’s Bollywood.
“Nigeria is one of the fastest growing moviemaking regions in the world,” says Matt Ferguson, chief innovation officer at Storyland Studios. “They’ve built an organic film industry fueled by really resourceful, creative, entrepreneurial people. They’re making films happen with whatever equipment, actors, and training they can find.”
“Kebulania will open up countless opportunities to train creatives on how to truly make a living in the movie business, and to help create a more formalised industry in Nigeria.”
The film industry here sees an annual gross revenue of over $1 billion and puts out around 2,500 films each year. The study city project will attract both Western clients and 5,000 to 10,000 daily visitors, generating significant revenue and economic activity for Lagos, both in terms of tourism and the local economy.
“We hope to improve the local film industry and exponentially increase Nollywood’s output and value in years to come,” said Idahosa.
Designing Kebulania
Storyland Studios is responsible for the design and masterplanning of the 224-acre site, a first-of-its-kind studio city on the African continent. Kebulania will be a fully-resourced entertainment industry campus and film lot, in the style of Universal Studios Hollywood. It will be a place where filmmakers, actors, writers, musicians, marketing professionals, and other industry personnel can live and work, bringing their creative ideas to life.
The studio city will be home to fully equipped sound stages, and will also host workshops, a film and creative arts academy and a museum commemorating the history of Nollywood. In addition, there will be residential housing, retail, dining, entertainment, a hotel, commercial real estate, and a backlot theme park. A variety of African aesthetics will be used, from the historical to the present day.
Meanwhile, there will also be a Lost Africa district, complete with an adventure park, thrill rides, and an interactive Kids’ Studio to keep visitors entertained.
Kebulania’s residential complex will house a live-work-play community where everyone from film crew members to studio executives can live. The radial design features a living roof and a central courtyard. At the centre of the complex, Storyland has introduced a sculptural tower, dubbed the “Tree of Life”. Residents will be able to access transportation, retail, and dining. Adjacent to the community will be a complex of studio offices and sound stages.
By bringing together real backlots, accessible by tram, and amusement park-style rides, visitors will have a chance to see real movie-making locations that are regularly in use.
The project also features a central resort hotel, with a retail, dining, and entertainment district that will sit on a lagoon which opens into the Atlantic Ocean. The waterfront setting will have places for boats and yachts to dock, as well as a waterfall archway that will transform into the centrepiece of a nighttime spectacular at the end of the day.
“We predict Kebulania is going to become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa,” Ferguson says. “We’re looking forward to embarking on the next phase of the process.”
Earlier this year, Storyland Studios announced the appointment of Jonathan Bonner as executive producer for its UK team.
