About Jake S.

Hello, My name is Jake Sirma, a professional film maker and storyteller. I have been working with a creative team and independently for the past 4 years in creating and producing content such as Short films, documentaries, ads, feature stories, and online content. I have a passion in telling stories that touch on struggles, human rights, arts, music and culture, mental health, LGBT stories, single subject stories and such. Over the past four years I have worked in various capacities and built my experience in Directing, Filming, Scripting/Story boarding and Editing. Through this platform I hope to tell more stories expand my horizons through the assignments given and give a greater picture of my country and continent to the world. To thyself be true WORK EXPERIENCE 2014 - Present (NEOLIGHT PRODUCTIONS LTD) 1. Creative Director As a Creative Director I handled tasks of managing all matters in terms of conceptualization of a campaign, TV production or Film from its early stages to the cutting board in the Editing room. It was my responsibility to ensure the client’s/writer’s vision was well executed from start to finish. I handled script-writing supervision, story boarding and finalizing on treatments as blue prints of any production and synchronized all departments from production to post production to maintain the same vision all through. I was head of the following productions; USIU AFRICA TVC CAMPAIGN: The Best Kept Secret ; February 2018CITY GIRL TV SERIES SEASON 1 : September – December 2017 VOI VILLAGE PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS : AUGUST 2017 POPULATION SERVICES KENYA : Social Behavioral Change Communication MAY 2017 Kenya Medical Practioners and Doctors Union (KMPDU) Doctor’s Strike Documentary: February 2017 MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONAL KENYA- Photo and Video Promotional Campaign on Family Planning, HIV Testing, Pregnancy care and Contact care Services: MARCH2016 FILMS: DINING WITH THE DEVIL, A Machawood Film Festival submission, RED RIBBON, In-House Production. 2. CAMERAMAN – 2014- 2015 I was handling all camera work in small productions and events. I was tasked with capturing weddings, funeral coverage and online web series URBAN ARTFIT a magazine show. INTERN, DREAMCATCHER PRODUCTIONS LTD OCTOBER 2013- MARCH 2014 I did my practicum here as well as extended my internship at the production house. I was tasked with organizing files, data entry, scriptwriting, story boarding and editing.

About April W.

I am a freelance Filmmaker, specialising in documentaries, content videos and films, exploring themes of culture, identity, global scenes, climate change and social justice. I have experience creating first class content for a variety of clients and platforms. I believe in the power of films and content production to inspire, excite, entertain and educate. My experience has taught me to think on my feet and create compelling videos that can quickly engage an audience. I have worked on films in Europe, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South America, in demanding environments where I have demonstrated that I am a creative self starter, with the ability to use initiative and problem solve under pressure. I am a talented filmmaker with experience capturing high-quality footage, audio and lighting as well as editing engaging videos within tight timescales. I have worked on two UK short films that have over 1 million views on Youtube. I have raised awareness on marginalised communities as they fight against years of discrimination in Kenya. I produced a documentary series that followed an award-winning filmmaker as he travelled 7000 miles from the UK to Chile fossil-fuel free. I have given a voice to young climate activists fighting to get their voices heard by politicians at the UN climate summit. I’ve captured families fighting for justice after losing loved ones in the Ethiopian/ Boeing airplane crash and worked with clients on creative briefs for a variety of projects.

About Martin M.

Martin Munyua or “Marto” as friends and colleagues call him, is an award-winning filmmaker who is specialized in cinematography. In his career that spanning over twenty-five years, Marto has worked in various filmmaking capacities and has credits for cinematography, directing, editing, producing, writing as well as creating TV show formats. Martin graduated in 1995 as a cinematographer from Istituto Di Stato Per La Cinematografia e Per La Televisione - “R. Rossellini”, and Social Communications from the Pontifical Gregorian University, in 1997. Martin also holds a Global Executive MBA degree from USIU, Kenya (2013) Currently, Martin is the COO of Dreamcatcher Productions, Chairman of the Kenya Film & Television Professionals Association (KFTPA), and is a member of several film-related committees

About TIMOTHY P.

I am a film writer/producer and director. I have experience in television reality shows, documentaries, and television drama in the above capacities. Over the last decade, I have produced concepts, directed and offered logistical support for organizations such as China Global Television Network (CGTN), Comic Relief, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Amnesty International. I have worked in over 200 episodes of Television series, radio and television commercials, and over 40 documentaries.

About Troy E.

DP and Director specialising in documentary and commercial. Broadcast Credits The Silence of Horses (documentary feature - in production) - BBC 4 Storyville Spit It Out (documentary short - 2019) - BBC Scotland Daniel Sloss: Live Shows (2018) - Netflix 6 years agency and freelance advertising experience, working for clients including Mercedes, Hard Rock Hotels, DJI, Medtronic and Visit Scotland

About Paul K.

Paul Patrick Kariuki is a goal and result oriented film maker, camera operator, whose exhilarating works have a proven record in delivering the correct emotions and understanding in every story he tells with his cameras. Having studied a Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and film technology at Kenyatta University and mastered the art of storytelling through film, he has been able to scoop awards like cinematographer of the year-2013 in practical films academy, cinematographer of the year-2013 USIU FILM AWARDS for the film THE COIN, BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR THE FILM SHIRU-2017 DAYSTAR FILM AWARDS, 1 ST RUNNERS UP CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2017 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY-AFPECK FILM AWARDS for the film WISH-2017 EGYPT FILM FESTIVAL 2018 nominee for the best cinematographers award for the film THE RUNAWAY and many more in various platforms as a director of photography. His skills go deep in understanding the nature of human relationship with their environment in their different states. Telling those relationships has become one of his greatest motivations to never forget to carry his third eye with him every day.

About Megan L.

I'm a multi-media journalist with InfoNile based in Uganda, with an emphasis on photo and video stories. I also work as a freelance photojournalist and documentary filmmaker focusing on environmental, developmental, and minority topics. I studied sustainable development at UC Berkeley, so I am sensitive to the topics that I film and photograph. I have done freelance work with individuals and non-governmental organizations such as the Afrika Arts Kollective, Center for Tomorrow, Kakyo Project, UpEnergy and researchers around Uganda.

About Kevin W.

About Charlie V R.

Charlie V Rose is a director and DOP based in Nairobi. He started his career in Edinburgh as a cinematographer in 2014 The next year he was nominated for a BAFTA New-Talent award in Cinematography for Scottish short film ‘Grout Pray’, and shot a tv pilot starring Liam Neeson called ‘Life in Black’. Charlie then turned his focus to directing and writing when he moved to London, where he was hired as in-house Director at Stink’s newly formed content division. Charlie used his experience and love of the Highlands to create films for Johnnie Walker and Mercedes, shot on location in some of the most stunning areas of Scotland. After the stint at Stink Studios, Charlie cycled 8000km up Africa, through 9 countries, exploring the lives and experiences of African Rangers and Poachers on the front-line of the war on poaching and raising £50,000 for Ranger welfare in the process. Since returning he started the London wing of LA formed content studio ‘Stadium’, www.stvdium.com, and then left to become a Director for Edinburgh based Campfire Agency. He has recently created an exhibition in New York about the impact of Covid in Kenya, a short film starring Dave Johns of 'I Daniel Blake', and is currently making a feature documentary about the ballet scene in Nairobi.

About Eric M.

I am a freelance Kenyan Cinematographer and Director, with filmmaking experience in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. My passion lies in storytelling and crafting visceral pictures that are not only exhilarating but relatable, through images that the eye can capture and immortalise. This has been as a result of years of perfecting my craft pushing the boundaries in uniqueness and creativity. I have worked with different producers to execute projects across multiple locations, meeting different needs with the overall goal of storytelling being achieved through my efficiency and professionalism. My projects range from Documentaries, TV commercials and brand films to short films and feature films. I have worked through production houses such as Zero Point Zero Productions-New York, Zeleman Productions- Ethiopia, YCF Productions-Zambia, Docubox-Kenya, Freestyle Media-Kenya, Quite Bright Films-Kenya, One Fine Day Films, Ginger Ink-Kenya, Lightbox Entertainment Africa-Kenya, Protel Studios-Kenya, Creative Hub-Kenya among others. I have also been privileged to train under renowned filmmakers, such as D.P Volker Tittel-Germany, award-winning Documentary Filmmaker Gabriel Diamond, Documentary Filmmaker Brett Bittner-U.S.A and Assistant Camera Jana Fitzner (Arri-Germany). The experiences and recommendations from these filmmakers have propelled me to greater heights at a young age, soaking in many lessons and techniques in working fast and delivering quality. I am comfortable handling all aspects of production (lighting, sound, interviewing) whether working as a person band or as part of a larger crew. I am conversant with different shooting codecs and can manage multiple camera setups. I have access to a wide range of gear (Camera & Sound) and have good mastery in the use of the; Sony FX9, Sony FS7, Sony FS5, Sony A7Sii, Canon C-Series, Black Magic Cameras, among other smaller range DSLR setups. In addition to the gear, I have access to great interview accessories such as the EyeDirect that guarantees eye-contact and a deeper connection with the audience. I have excellent command of written and spoken English. I am also conversant with the local languages in Kenya (Swahili), Ethiopia (Amharic) and Zambia (Nyanja). My desires are now geared towards opportunities that will convert my dynamic body of work from stories and adventures spread out all over Africa into work that you can be proud of as a client.

About Brian O.

I am a passionate storyteller with a proven track record of infusing lights, sights and sounds to give life to any kind of narrative. My 6 year experience cuts across various genres, styles and geographical zones, especially across Africa.

About Kevin G.

When I(Kevin Gitonga), a freelance photographer, was on assignment I came across this inspiring story but I couldn't figure out how to tell the story in a captivating way so as to create more awareness. I was determined to tell the story which revolved around the issue of poverty in spite of having no background in storytelling. But by taking online classes in storytelling I was able to learn the art of telling stories. I was able to write a story about it and posted in on social media. Friends and family reached out and supported her. And the lesson I learnt is that a powerful story can move people into action. Today I help non-profits engage and connect with their audience in the most effective way I.e through storytelling. As a result they are able to raise more money to help millions of people around the world, who need their help. Kevin Gitonga is a consultant specialising in non-profit storytelling, fundraising and communications. He has taken courses in storytelling, filming, photography, writing, interviewing and editing. He is also an entrepreneur and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Strathmore University. Kevin has helped his clients collect stories that have helped them build awareness and raise funding to support their great causes. His clients have included: World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, Amref Netherlands, Amref USA, Amref Health Africa, CBM International, CBM Kenya, Tearfund Canada, Safaricom Foundation, The Nairobi Hospital, AAR Hospital, Planned Parenthood Global, Population Services Kenya, The Aga Khan University, International Republican Institute, and Centre for Rights and Education Awareness.

About Karugu M.

Karugu Mureithi is a Lecturer in the Communication Department at St. Paul’s University, he teaches Film studies. He holds a masters degree in film production. He is a professional filmmaker with over 10 years experience across a range of core professional fields including Film production: Picture composition, Persuasive camera techniques in picture making, directing single and multi-camera productions, Mise-en-scene, art directing, set designing, controlling all lighting treatment, both technically and artistically, directing, managing, directing high profile talk shows, film editing, documentary production. He has produced, directed and written documentaries, short films and commercials. He is passionate about studying and teaching film language and grammar. His documentary “ Nurtured with love ” was nominated Best Documentary at the Kalasha International Film/TV award 2015; His film Seed of a daffodil won numerous prices including best director at the Kenya National Drama/Film festivals 2018.

About Phillip R.

I am an aspiring young growing from Rwanda running a filming business venture. I have shot in two countries, Mauritius and Rwanda. At an early age I have been involved in creating videos for companies ranging from National TV of Rwanda, Education institutions, corporate companies. I believe storytelling and filmmaking is my way to go and  an effective way that we as Rwandans and as Africans we can use to continue to rebrand ourselves as a country and I would like to lead in telling these stories. I believe that the media has a key role in transforming Africa, in a way that will connect people, promote peace and bring positive change to the future of our young people on this continent.  

About Samuel W.

Samuel is a documentary filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. He has worked with a wide range of brands, media outlets and organizations to create impactful digital and television content over his 7 years' experience. His latest employment engagement was with Capital Group Limited, a leading media house in Kenya, where he worked as a Video Journalist & Content Producer. Over the years, he has worked with brands such as Bloomberg, Safaricom, Justice Defenders, Cognizant, Docubox East Africa, Centum, Skoll Foundation, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Intel. Samuel also earned his place at the 2021 One World Media Fellowship (UK) as a fellow, where he is currently developing his first mini-feature documentary. He has received several accolades in the span of his career including the 'Best Short Documentary' award from Riverwood Academy Awards (2018) and the inaugural Kenya International Sports Film Festival (2018), both for his short documentary film 'Imara' (2017). He was also a recipient of the 'Best Diaspora Production' award from Kalasha Film & TV Awards 2017 for 'Born This Way' (2016), a short fiction film he wrote and directed while participating at Cinemadamare Film Festival & Summer School in Italy in 2016. Samuel's ambition is to shed light on overlooked and authentic African stories and to inspire positive change through storytelling.

About Fedelis ..

Director of photography Africa. Experience in cinematography for more than ten year working on both local and intl. Freelance jobs

About Karanja N.

Kenyan filmmaker born-and-raised in Nairobi, Karanja subscribes to a “make them laugh, make them cry” approach to filmmaking. He wants the audience to have an emotional reaction to the stories he tells. His debut short film Misfit won the Silver Dhow Award at Zanzibar International Film Festival and played in numerous festivals worldwide collecting few accolades along the way, his other works have been selected and won at AMVCA, Carthage Film Festival, Kalasha International, and Kisima film awards among others. Lately, he attended a film Residency International Class at the FilmAkademie Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany and has been selected for the One World Media 2020 Fellowship. He has created content for Coca-Cola (Coke Studio Africa), Medicine Sans Frontier, UN Environmental Department (the flip flop project) among others.

About Natasha E.

Award winning Multimedia Journalist, Producer, Writer, Photographer, TV Presenter and Moderator with a track record of successfully developing story ideas, scripting, and production management. Over ten years of professional experience in the international media arena collaborating with high-end multi-media production companies to bring a truthful, creative and global perspective to storytelling.

About David James O.

David James Ochieng Can draw a straight line with my elbow. 10% guitarist, 10% photographer, 30% 3D Artist, 50% wonderer and 2% mathematician. If you can dream it, I'll help you visualize it till you and your viewers can almost touch it. The story is told in the edit.

About David W.

Filmmaker