"Kiumeni," whose title means "masculinity," is Tanzania's latest domestic film. It's a love story between a rich man and a woman living in the ghetto and the challenges that brings. The cast and crew are part of a new wave of filmmakers who are making better quality movies. So much so, that Idris Sultan, a former Big Brother Africa winner and radio host, wanted to join the action.

"I said to myself I'm only going to do a movie in Tanzania if it's going to be with a serious production. And the earnest person was the guy who did the movie, 'Kiumeni.' So when he told me he was going to do a new project, I was like, 'yeah count me in,' because I knew he was a serious person and he isn't going to downgrade my image,"  said Sultan.

Traditionally, Tanzania has sold so-called 'Bongo movies': low-budget films that are both shot and sold in the country's major cities.

Crowded streets have been the backdrop of many 'Bongo' films, but for years, the challenges have been low budgets, poor technical knowledge, and a quick turnaround time. But now, a new breed of filmmakers are trying to raise the bar to international standards

Tanzanian actress Rose Ndauka, who was once a Bongo movie actress herself, says the films usually never make it to the cinema, but were made for cheap DVD's to be sold on the street. That's something that 'Kiumeni' is helping change. 

"To be honest it's a nice strategy, and it was a high-quality movie. It had minor shortcomings, but hey, nothing's perfect. But my perception of Tanzanian movies changed after I went to the premiere,"  said Ndauka.

The overall approach to filmmaking in Tanzania is shifting with more focus on high performance cameras and improved workflow.

"I think the merging of skill and experience from abroad and here is making us produce better films. And I also think now we are more based on professionalism. We have professionally trained directors. It's not like in the past where anyone can be a director or cameraman," said scriptwriter Devotha Mayunga.

It might be a while before these films reach the production value levels of Hollywood but, slowly and surely, Tanzanian films are stepping up and who knows...Tollywood may one day be a million dollar industry.