Profile of Benta Oyugi

Where are you from?

I am from Mathare, Nairobi.

When did you first think of becoming a filmmaker?

When I was in class eight, I used to watch films from Nigeria. I liked these movies a lot and so I became interested in films. In Form One, I joined the Mwelu Foundation after I was introduced by a friend. They do mainly photography work, but also editing, filming and so on. They offer photography workshops during the holidays, too. These workshops run at least for two weeks and I took part in it to learn about photography.

In Form Two, I joined Mathare Youth. They host a festival, the Mathare Youth Film Festival. I’ve been participating in it the past three years. For this festival we were supposed to shoot short films about themes that were given to us. We were groups of six and everyone had his own task. One was the director, one was responsible for the camera and so on. Our films were shown on the last day of the festival during a screening. I enjoyed this very much.

How did you find out about Hot Sun Foundation's Hot Sun Film School?  

Mwelu Foundation was invited by Hot Sun Foundation to the Tropfest Short Film Festival workshop,  so I went with them. At the workshop, I met people from Hot Sun Film School. Furthermore, a friend of mine had done the film training at Hot Sun and is now successful on TV. So I decided to come to Hot Sun Foundation, because I knew it is a very good school and it would give me the chance of gaining a deeper knowledge and developing my skills in all areas that have to do with filming.

What do you like best about Hot Sun Film School?

The trainers are very good and willing to share their knowledge. The facilities and the equipment are good, too. The school has strict rules that everyone has to stick to. If you don’t follow the rules, you go. I like this very much even though it took me a while to adapt. But as I really want to do this training, it is possible and ok for me. And it shows that Hot Sun Film School is serious and professional. All in all, I feel supported to know my potential because the school creates space which enables me to find out about it.

What has been your biggest challenge so far at Hot Sun Film School?

The most challenging was the scriptwriting because I didn’t have any experience and no idea of how this should work. It was a lot of work to rewrite everything all the time. I also had to take a lot of criticism which was hard for me. I had so many ideas, but it was difficult to put these ideas into the form of a script.

What do you think is necessary to keep Hot Sun Film School going?

I think most important is that people stick to the rules and take them seriously.

What do you think the Kenyan film and media industry could do to support young filmmakers?

They could come up with workshops to encourage young filmmakers and to provide them with training and experience. It’s the same with schools – they should go there and encourage the students to become filmmakers because to most people becoming a filmmaker isn't considered to be a good career. Furthermore, they could try to raise funds to support people that want to become filmmakers and who have financial issues.

What would you like to do after you have finished the foundation in filmmaking?

I’d prefer specialising in editing and camera work. And I definitely want to stick to film.

What kind of films would  you like to make? 

I’d like to make short films and fictional dramas.

Why should people support Hot Sun Foundation on Global Giving?

Because Hot Sun helps youth in creativity and film and young people need a chance to bring out their talents.

Why should Kenyan film industry professionals support Hot Sun Foundation?
Because they should support young filmmakers to grow and therefore help the film industry grow.

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page