"Majukumu" A Short Film Produced by Kenyan Kids

Willow and Adam presenting certificates to the young filmmakers

Arnold Ochieng receiving his certificate

Saturday 11th December 2010 was a jovial day for four kids from Kibera. This was a day that their first ever-short film was being previewed with an audience of about 70 people inclusive their parents present.
Mercy Andale 12, Ian Mark 12, Arnold Ochieng’ 14, and Beryl Atieno 15 were among the eight kids selected for a ten day filmmaking workshop facilitated by Willow McDonough and Adam Loften of the Future Filmmaker Workshops.
The workshop, which lasted for 10 days, included scripting, shooting and editing of the short film.
Scripting took almost four days, the kids had to brainstorm on stories to tell. With the technical help of Adam and Willow they were able to come up with the final script of their short film “Majukumu”. The film runs for 19 minutes.
“Majukumu”, which is a Swahili word for responsibilities, is a story of a Kenyan young boy (Arnold Ochieng’) ) living in the slums of Nairobi is forced to leave school and take responsibility for his family, but in his struggle for a better life he loses sight of what is most important.
The film was shot in four days; the locations were Kibera and Karen-the place where the workshop was taking place. The kids played the roles of acting and crew.
Among the four kids from Hot Sun Foundation, the other four came from different places, three of them coming out of Nairobi.
Jeff from Machakos, Jason form Eastlands Nairobi, Susan from Meru and finally Martha from Ruiru. They had some assistance from Kenyatta University students in film making, Stephen and Kevin. Evans Kamau who heads the Children’s Workshop Department at Hot Sun Foundation was with them throughout the workshop period, he even featured in the film as a character. Aida Achieng a trainee at Kibera Film School also featured as a character in the film.
The film was short on a DSLR 7D camera.
 “I want to continue with film making, because film will help me express myself, it will help me deliver a message I want to deliver” Arnold Ochieng’(Main character Majukumu)
 

Evans Kamau during a recent weekly workshop with the children.

“I had never thought I’d see myself on screen as I see others, but watching this short piece we did, I will definitely grow with the help of such initiatives” Susan (Actor Majukumu)
 
“At first I thought it would be difficult to achieve something in ten days, but I’m proud that the kids have been able to produce something, future film making has just started with these kids, we need to give them all the support they need” Josphat Keya (Programs Coordinator, Hot sun Foundation)

Evans Kamau teaching on story

This was an important experience to this kids, we appeal to all who can help support such initiatives to kindly do so. Thanks to Future Filmmakers Workshop. and all our supporters.


 










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