Transform Lives of African Youth by Making Films

For all of our friends and supporters, we would like you to share with you what we are doing and how we are using our resources at the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL to interact with our community and other artists.

A brief update on highlights of recent activities:

20-21 November 2009 Members of KIBERA FILM SCHOOL filmed footage for the promotion of the Safe Motherhood project.

23 November 2009 We invited Map Kibera to our school to see some of our short films. Map Kibera is a newly formed group in Kibera who are using GPS technology to make the first ever accurate map of the Kibera slum. We had a great exchange about the importance of the work we are doing to improve our community and our profound motivation to be part of those changes

27 November 2009 We had a visit from Robyn Dixon of the Los Angeles Times newspaper (California, USA), who wanted to find out more about our work.

Here’s what Robyn Dixon had to say after her visit:

We've had an amazing time meeting the trainees and hearing their stories. It's a brilliant project and it has changed the lives of all the participants in fundamental ways. I just find the Kibera Film School project so inspiring and I'm hoping to give the story great play in the paper.

I loved the way the trainees just picked up my gear and started shooting pictures and video and I could see the empowering effect that being encouraged to just use cameras has had. Victor told me you simply told him to start using the camera. He felt as if he knew nothing, but he did his best to be strong and brave and now he's master of a camera.

3 December 2009 United Nations-Habitat hosted a Summit on Urban Arts and Youth that brought together national and international artists, representatives of arts foundations, the private sector, arts industry and young people active in the arts. The goal of the event was to consult on the contribution the arts make sustainable urban development. Kibera Film School sent three trainees to the Summit. Josphat Keya, John Ngaruiya and Faith Wavinya represented the views of young upcoming filmmakers from Kibera. Trainees comment: We realized that the film industry in Kenya is yet to grow; most participants were amazed to meet us as young upcoming filmmakers especially coming from Kibera.

7 Dec 2009 PICHA MTAANI event http://www.pichamtaani.com

KIBERA FILM SCHOOL trainees attended the “PICHA MTAANI” (Heal the Nation: National Reconciliation Exchibition tour) event. The day was very tough, because of those pictures (of the post election violence in Kenya)----Comment by trainee Shamim Achieng

10 December 2009 We had our respected visitors from Africalia Belgium, who were very happy with what we are doing. We showed them our short films and our trailer. Quote from trainee Shamim Achieng

3 December 2009 United Nations-Habitat hosted a Summit on Urban Arts and Youth that brought together national and international artists, representatives of arts foundations, the private sector, arts industry and young people active in the arts. The goal of the event was to consult on the contribution the arts make sustainable urban development, specifically in terms of youth empowerment, employment, social cohesion, security, and the strengthening of local urban culture.

Kibera Film School sent three trainees to the summit. Josphat Keya, John Ngaruiya and Faith Wavinya represented the views of young upcoming filmmakers from Kibera. We realized that the film industry in Kenya is yet to grow; most participants were amazed to meet us as young upcoming filmmakers especially coming from Kibera.

AND while all this is going on, the trainees are working on a group project: a short film about themselves, the first trainees, and the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL, which they plan to complete by 19 December before the holiday break!.

Keep in touch with trainees weekly reports on kiberafilmschool.blogspot.com!

Remember, you can send holiday gifts to everyone you know through a donation and gift card to KIBERA FILM SCHOOL.

What would be the very best for us and guarantee our future would be a monthly pledge.

Please consider sending us any amount every month to ensure the future of the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL.

Thank you and Happy Holidays to all.

Links:

• http://www.vimeo.com/7437999