Labelled as 'The Cinema Paradiso' of Africa by various UK newspapers, the Majestic, one of Africa's first cinemas in Zanzibar's Stone Town, came to the world's attention during the 2011 Zanzibar International Film Festival, when the festival director Martin Mhando announced plans to take over and restore the dilapidated art deco cinema to its former glory. The funds for the project have yet to be secured. Meanwhile, the owner, who runs the cinema without theatre lights screening Bollywood pirated DVDs, refuses to sell.