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It was a beautiful Red carpet event during the local Premiere of the The Legend of the Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos at The Red Sea Film Festival last week. The Legend of the Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos also won the Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Costume awards at the just concluded Zuma Film Festival
Another win for Damien Hauser is when scooped the Cinematography prize and The Best Director prize at the 10th Mashariki Film Festival for his film After the Long Rains . Watch the Trailer Here .
INDUSTRY NEWS
The curtain has fallen on SOME FINE PITCH 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of African filmmaking and distribution. From December 2nd to 4th, Nairobi became a hub of creativity and collaboration as emerging filmmakers and distribution professionals from Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria and Germany showcased their innovative projects, redefining the future of storytelling and global film distribution.
Under the framework of the reginal GIZ cooperation projects ”Strengthening the Film Industry in Selected Countries in Africa” and “Moving Pictures” , the three-days event brought together talent, authentic narratives and visionary strategies to celebrate African cinema’s boundless potential.
Honoring the Winners: Masterclass and Distribution Projects
The finale, held on December 4th at the Alloy Lounge & Bar, was a night of celebration as the winning projects from both the SOME FINE DAY Pix Masterclasses and the MOVING PICTURES Distribution & Social Impact Incubator were announced. These standout initiatives secured funding, empowering creators to turn their ambitious ideas into reality and cementing their impact on the global stage.
Masterclass Winning Short Films
Out of 11 exceptional pitches by Kenyan filmmaking teams, six projects earned production grants of 1 Million Kenyan Shillings each. These stories represent the next wave of impactful Kenyan storytelling:
- BIKEY
A powerful exploration of identity, family, and healing, following a non-binary individual, Kyalo, and their parents as they navigate grief and reconciliation.- Scriptwriter: Mathendu Muchoki
- Director: Nice Githinji
- Producer: Mark Wambui
- Cinematographer: Nashreen Wangui
- Editor: Winnie Ndirangu
- HATUA
A poignant tale of redemption and empathy, as an elderly man accused of witchcraft finds solace through an unexpected connection.- Scriptwriter: Austin Malonza
- Director: Jacktone Alufwani
- Producer: Njeri Maiko
- Cinematographer: James Gikonyo / Martin Mburu
- Editor: Gabriel Jamal
- MAKONDE
A journey of self-discovery and heritage as a stateless orphan navigates his identity amidst his community’s fight for recognition.- Scriptwriter: Victor Kariuki
- Director: Cecimercy Wanza
- Producer: Omar Kibulanga
- Cinematographer: Gabriel Tito
- Editor: Lavera Ndanunga
- MUCII
A tender portrayal of enduring love, as an elderly couple reflects on their life together while grappling with aging and memory loss.- Scriptwriter: Kelvin Kariuki
- Director: Karanja Ng‘endo
- Producer: June Wairegi
- Cinematographer: Zahara Munyiva
- Editor: Jordan Inaan
- O-RÉKÍÉ
A tale of courage and connection, set in 1910 Maasai-land, as a couple faces external dangers and cultural expectations on the path to an arranged marriage.- Scriptwriter: Arnold Mwanjila
- Director: Hussein Kurji
- Producer: Mary Wanjiku
- Cinematographer: Edgar Chitayi
- Editor: Abel Waweru
- SINTOFAHAMU
Two childhood friends confront grief and rekindle their bond as they scatter their late friend’s ashes in his ancestral home.- Scriptwriter: Mirell Mwadzala
- Director: Ochieng Oneko
- Producer: Ivy Wangui
- Cinematographer: Maurice Murage
- Editor: Kelvin Njema
Through eight months of rigorous training in the SOME FINE DAY Pix Masterclasses, 60 aspiring filmmakers honed their skills across five film departments, teamed up, developed a short film project and prepared for a competitive pitch process.
Juror Lucia Haslauer of German Public Broadcaster ZDF lauded the event:
“Talent, professionalism, lots of new perspectives and, above all, an amazing amount of fun – Some Fine Days Pitch charmed and inspired me with its dedication to talent, its huge impact on the industry and its great love for the craft. Don’t you dare stop!”
Omar Kibulanga, producer of MAKONDE, reflected on the experience, saying:
“I’m deeply grateful for the transformative filmmaking masterclasses, the invaluable networking opportunities, and the game-changing insights into production and innovative distribution solutions. SOME FINE DAY Pix is not just a platform—it’s a catalyst for storytelling excellence, a community of dreamers, and a true champion of African narratives.”
Winning MOVING PICTURES Distribution Projects
In the MOVING PICTURES Distribution & Social Impact Incubator, five teams developed strategies to elevate African cinema globally. Three projects stood out, each awarded €20,000 in seed funding:
- AFRICAN FILM PRESS
A collaborative platform bridging African cinema with audiences through insightful news, analysis and promotion, uniting East and West African perspectives.- Jennifer Ochieng (KE), Tambay Obenson (NG/USA), Ikeade Oriade (GER)
- THE AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM MARKET (AISFM)
A premier marketplace connecting short film makers with global distributors through annual events and a year-round digital platform.- Gbenga Adeoti (NG), Kagabo Nkubiri (RW), Theodore Ishimwe (RW)
- THE SCREEN CONNECT
A Pan-African initiative empowering cinemas with quality African films while fostering fair compensation and sustainable distribution.- Selvin Marete (KE), Cassandra Onwualu (NG), Mizero Kabano Yannick (RW)
Throughout the incubator program, participants tackled the challenges of distributing African content, crafting innovative solutions to expand its reach regionally and internationally. Juror Osahon Akpata (Head of CANEX Creations) shared:
“Congratulations to the Some Fine Day Pix team for organizing an outstanding accelerator program focused on film distribution. Serving as a juror in the pitch contest, I was impressed by the participants’ preparation and the innovative solutions they presented to address challenges in the industry.“
Furthermore, Tambay Obenson, film journalist and awardee for AFRICAN FILM PRESS, reflected on the Moving Pictures Incubator experience:
“When I first received the email invitation to participate in the Moving Pictures Incubator, I was excited and expected, at the very least, an adventure. I approach every opportunity with the mindset that it could lead anywhere—especially to learning. But I couldn’t have anticipated just how much these past four months would shape both my personal and professional perspectives.
From Lagos to Kigali to Nairobi, each step of the journey has been a unique experience. Every city brought fresh faces, thought-provoking conversations, and challenging scenarios that pushed us to explore how access to African creativity can evolve across the continent. The opportunity to collaborate with my partners, Jennifer Ochieng and Ikeade Oriade, in environments that fostered focus and innovation allowed us to refine not only our strategy but also our sense of shared vision and purpose.
One key takeaway from this journey is that, while the challenges facing African filmmaking are undeniable, so too is the immense talent, resilience, and passion to tell authentic African stories.
A heartfelt thank you to Some Fine Day Pix and GIZ for making this instructive journey possible. This is not the end—it’s just the beginning.”
A Shared Vision for African Cinema
SOME FINE PITCH 2024 reinforced the transformative power of African storytelling in driving social change and cultural understanding. By connecting emerging talent with industry leaders, it set the stage for a future where African narratives shine brightly on the global stage.
Thank You to Our Partners
This event was made possible through the partnership of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Kenyan Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, SOME FINE DAY Pix and GIZ.
SOME FINE DAY Pix continues the legacy of the ONE FINE DAY FILMS Workshop, fostering storytelling excellence and professional training opportunities for African filmmakers.
GRANTS AND SUBMISSIONS
The Creative Grants Initiative, led by Rwanda Film Office at RDB, provides funding opportunities to support filmmakers and position Rwanda as a premier destination for film production.
Focused on production and post-production support for feature films, documentaries, and series, the initiative aims to empower creative talent and attract international co-productions.
Deadline: 11th January 2025
Submissions are now open for the 7th Edition of Accra Indie Filmfest (AiF)! Got a short film, documentary, or experimental piece?
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your talent on an international stage.
Deadline: 25 January 2025
Movie: Wamaitha
TAKE 5!
Director: Kang’ethe Mungai
Synopsys :
A riveting action-packed love story that takes us back in time during the colonial era, at the height of the Mau Mau struggle. Watch as love conquers fear and a hunger for freedom transcends all odds.
