SFF 2015 - Slum Film Festivals

SFF 2015
ABRIDGED REPORT
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SFF2015 Film Lab,
The Making of the
student film
‘Best of Luck’
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Word from the
Festival Chair
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The year 2015 saw film
submissions leapfrog from
80 in 2014 to over
800 in 2015
Word from the
Festival Director
“The lab gave birth to a short
film titled ‘Best of Luck’.
Besides the usual mass outdoor screenings SFF2015
piloted moderated daytime screenings. The screenings
entailed small audiences of upto 50 people who would
watch a film and engage on thematic issues that they
could relate with in regards to their day to day lives.
WE ARE GRATEFUL
It is a pleasure to see Slum Film Festival in its 5th Anniversary. SFF has experienced tremendous growth in
depth and impact both in Kenya, Africa and indeed around the world.
We are proud of what we achieved in 2015 in regards to film submissions, training, and linking of young
film makers to industry resources. The year 2015 saw film submissions leapfrog from 80 in 2014 to over
800 in 2015; the festival was graced by film stalwarts who included Oliver Litondo, award winning actor
in the film ‘First Grader’ and Alexandros Konstantaras Film director at Historia Films amongst many others.
This year SFF produced its first short film as well.
All this would not have been possible withouth the support from our network of partners whose support
and advice has been overwhelming. The Board is grateful for the generosity of individuals, organizations
and to our sponsors; World Friends, Spanish Embassy, Slum TV, Mwelu Foundation, Africa Digital Media
Foundation (ADMI) and the Kenya Government through the patronage and financial support of the Kenya
Film Commission.
I would like to congratulate Solomon Mwendwa, the Festival Manager and his team of volunteers for the
ambition and commitment to ensure a very successful year.
And finally, I would like to convey my personal thanks to each Board member for their continued support
of the festival.
George Karanja
SFF2015 Board
Eric Sande
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Josphat Keya
Lucy Njigua
Victor Ombonya
Solomon Mwendwa
Pauline Njau
For the first time since inception, SFF2015 featured the
visiting filmmaker programme. George Stanely Nsamba
from Uganda was invited to facilitate workshop and
share his films. George is an accomplished filmmaker
who began his journey as a homeless kid in the streets of
Kampala. Through the programme we were able to bring
on board new perspectives in regards to filmmaking
and this provided a cruicial platform to gain in-depth
understanding of the film culture in Kenya and region
SFF2015 marked the 5th Anniversary for the festival.
The festival was more than an event; it served as a life
changing moment to many and positively impacted
lives across the slums and other venues within the city SFF2015 Film Lab was intense compared to previous
where we held our activities.
labs held. The lab lasted 15 days and saw participants
get intense training in script writing and filmmaking.
The opening ceremony for the SFF2015 edition was Participants were put to task to write their own film scripts
held in the slums, at the Austin Grounds in Mathare. and were subjected to practical lessons on filmmaking.
This was a shift in tradition where the ceremony took The lab gave birth to a short film titled ‘Best of Luck’. A
place within the precincts of the CBD and other up personal story by one of the participants who witnessed
market public spaces. The event saw various artists policemen collaborating with criminals in the slums. This is
from the slums showcase their musical and artistic the first short film produced as part of the SFF film lab.
talent to an audience of close to 1200. The opening
ceremony featured a guest cast and crew of ‘Tales To all our partners and sponsors we are sincerly
from the Slums’, a docummetary film made by young grateful and to our volunteers we are humbled by your
slum dwellers about their lives in the slums. The cast committment towards this noble cause. As we prepare for
and crew provided insights into their involvement in the 2016 edition we urge all partners to continue giving
the film and the lessons they learnt during the journey. us their support as we seek to continue empowering and
changing lives.
SFF2015 Volunteers
Duncun Chando
Ephantaus Kariuki
REELS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Bethsheba Achista
Stella Kyalo
Shirleen Amisi
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SFF2015
OVERVIEW
THE REELS OF REVOLUTION
The 5th edition of Slum Film Festival was celebrated
between 10th and 29th of August 2015. Over 815 films
were submitted into this year’s event. The entries drawn
from across the world had a strong representation of
films of African nature and touching on issues that are
directly related to the slums.
For the first time, SFF piloted the visiting filmmaker
programme which saw a filmmaker from Uganda,
George Stanley Nsamba (Nes) come to Kenya and
facilitate our Film Lab (Master Class). Nes is a filmmaker
who was born and grew up in the slums of Kampala,
Uganda and his story is a replica of what many slum
based filmmakers have to go through. Besides offering
film mentorship his presence served to motivate other
slum based filmmakers on the opportunities that they can
exploit using their talent in film.
This year’s film master class saw the participants produce
a short film ‘Best of Luck’ which was scripted, acted, shot
and edited by the participants. The class took place
between the 11th and 28th of August 2015.
For the first time since inception, the festival’s opening
ceremony was held in Mathare Slums at the Austin
Grounds. This offered an opportunity to many artists to
perform and showcase their art. Several partners got
a first hand experience of SFF mass outdoor evening
screenings and talent. The ceremony was attended by
over 1500 people.
Slum Film Festival’s goal is to develop a network of
partnerships with media production groups. To organize
film awards, facilitate and organize film screenings and
conduct other film and arts related events across Africa’s
informal settlements. Its main aim is to promote and share
slum stories, and finally become a key network for the
distribution of films made by and about slum communities.
SFF, in its 5th year of operation is experiencing ongoing
commitment and success both as an organization and as
an event. The staff and board are dedicated to keeping
the festival in the forefront of recognized events and as
a major attraction and contributor to the quality of the
art scene in Kenya and the region. Our volunteers and
audience are the heart of the festival.
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Reels of Revolution Film Lab is an innovative filmmaking workshop for young upcoming filmmakers
with focus on slum stories. It seeks to provide a platform to empower the next generation of
filmmakers by supporting them to take their skills to the next level.
To apply visit: www.slumfilmfestival.net
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Application Submission Deadline: Sunday 26th July 2015 | Film Lab Dates: | 3rd - 17th August 2015
Sff 2015
Filmmakers
Lab
The Film Lab
The Film Lab was conducted over a period of 15 days at Alliance Française (10th-28th August). The class was split
into 3 phases; the script writing workshop, production workshop and production of a short film.
Script Writing Workshop
The workshop that was held between 11th and 19th August focused on filmmaking and sought to engage the
participants through the journey of making a short film right from conception to completion.
The training started off with the basics of storytelling which went on for two days. This was followed by scripting and
screenwriting techniques. At the start of the master class about 5 members admitted to never hoping to come up with a
script due to the complex nature of storytelling yet in the end, 2 of the top 3 scripts considered for production were by
the students who at the beginning thought it was impossible.
Sff 2015
Film Lab
Participants
1. George Stanley Nsamba - Lead facilitator
2. Shirleen Amisi
- Film Lab Assistant
3. Lydia Katanu Mutua - Lab Participant
4. Francisca Ndinda Ndunge - Lab Participant
5. Bryan Muchendu Njoroge - Lab Participant
6. Otieno Enock Oyoo - Lab Participant
7. Stephen Otieno - Lab Participant
8. Maxwell Odhiambo
- Lab Participant
9. Caroline Syowai Muthini - Lab Participant
10. Rodgers Oluoch
- Lab Participant
11. Elvin Omonche - Lab Participant
12. Karanja Mesheck Ngunjiri - Lab Participant
13. George Agak - Lab Participant
14. Faunzia Wanjiku Wangui - Lab Participant
Film Production Workshop
The participants were exposed to film production through practical classes that were offered at the Africa Digital
Media institute (ADMI). During the production classes learners were taught on how to handle and use film and sound
equipment as well as how to light their films during production.
Short Film Development – ‘Best of Luck’
Between 20th and 25th August, the second week of the training, the best script, ‘Best of Luck’ script was selected as
the class project. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, give comments and participate in the process of
creating the short Film. Cast and crew was selected during auditions and on the Friday of 21st shoot commenced. It
was a two-day shoot that ended on Sunday the 23rd.
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Mordecai Odera of FilmAid facilitates a session on Film as a tool
for social change during the lab
Participants learning how to record sound on location
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Participants learning how to record sound on location
Enock Oyoo on the slate and continuity of ‘Best of Luck”
On set Framing for a scene in “Best of Luck”
film on location
Roof top scene Mathare with
Director/Actor Maxwell Odhiambo
Producer Shirleen Amisi ,
Camera operators composing a frame
and Stephen Otieno recording sound
Dr. Gathigi from the University of Nairobi training on
importance of communication and PR in the industry
Guest speaker Gilbert Lukalia giving tips on Directing
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Best of Luck, Synopsis
‘Best of Luck’ was a personal story in which
the director Maxwell Odhiambo, witnessed
policemen collaborating with criminals in the
slums. The film features the story of Max who
records policemen collaborating with criminals
and he takes the footage to a media house in a
bid to expose the rogue cops.
The film offered the participants an opportunity
to practice their craft and apply the lessons
they had received from their mentors. Class
participants were assigned different roles in the
film as crew and actors. This is the first short film
produced as part of the SFF film Lab.
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SFF2015
OPENING CEREMONY
MATHARE, AUSTIN GROUNDS
For the first time in the history of SFF the opening
ceremony was conducted in the slums. This happened
on the 24th of August 2015 at the Austin Grounds in
Mathare.
The event sought to unveil the nominees for the
SFF2015 Awards. During the ceremony the film
‘Tales From the Slums’ was premiered. The film was
developed by young filmmakers from Mathare and
Kibera with support from Films Without Borders. The
event was very successful and served as an evening
of edutainment to the community of Mathare and SFF
partners.
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In addition to attendance by audiences from the slums,
the event saw participation from SFF film nominees and
representatives from our partners and donors. Many
film makers and cultural operators and a battalion of
international media also attended.
The guest of honor was Mr. Raphael Obonyo a youth
advocate at the national, regional and international
levels. Mr. Obonyo is the external adviser, UN Habitat’s
Youth Advisory Board, and Africa’s representative in
the World Bank’s Global Coordination Board on Youth
and Anti-Corruption. Obonyo urged the youth to make
use of their talents.
The SFF team mounts the inflatable screen in preparation for the opening ceremony
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Juan Manglano, Deputy Head of Mission, Spanish Embassy,
gives his remarks during the SFF2015 opening ceremony
Jacopo from World Friends gives his remarks during the
SFF2015 opening ceremony
Mita Vorah gives her remarks before the screening of Tales from the
Slums
Guest and partners follow the proceedings of SFF2015 opening cermeony in Mathare
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Mass Outdoor
Evening Screenings
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The highlight of Slum Film Festival is
the mass outdoor night screenings,
which replicates a cinema experience
for the slum dwellers. This year was
no different, and screenings were
done between 24th to 29th October
in Mathare, Kawangware and Kibera
Slums. For 4 days, the slum communities
were treated to a repertoire of films
that were nominated in the festival.
The estimated cinema audience
for each location was as follows:
Location
Estimated
Audience
Mathare
2,400
Kawangware
900
Kibera 600
Total 3,900
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SFF2015
CLOSING CEREMONY
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE, NAIROBI
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The Mc Joey Muthengi and Oliver Litondo calling out the
winners
SFFLab participant Bryan Muchendu receives a certificate from Oliver and Octopizzo
The Gala Award Ceremony was held at the
Alliance Francaise on 28th August 2015. The
purpose of the ceremony is to award the winners
in the various categories. The ceremony was also
used as an opportunity for festival partners and
supporters to network with the filmmakers and other
cultural operators - exchange ideas in regards to
various issues relating to cinema and the arts.
Joey Muthengi from the Muthengi Foundation
hosted the awards ceremony. Joey is a radio
presenter and former veejay for Channel O Africa.
Joey has also hosted the Tusker Project Fame.
From Left: SFF Chair, George Karanja, Belgium Ambassador Roxane de Bilderling , and SFF Board member Duncun Chando
22SFF2015 Judge Gerald Lagiri gives a trophy for the
Judges Choice Award
Visiting filmmaker George Stanley
and Oliver Litondo
Wilfred Kiumi from ADMI &
Babu of Nairobi Half Life.
As the epitome of the festival - winners in the
various categories were awarded with custom
made Trophies that were crafted by a local artist
Elijah Ogira of the Green Art Group. The group
makes their work from scrap metal and thus making
the trophies authentic and environmentally friendly.
The workshop participants were also awarded
with certificates. Kenya’s famous rapper Octopizzo
and Hollywood actor Oliver Litondo awarded the
certificates
Cast & Crew from the Tales from the Slums receive their award from Juan
Manglano, Deputy Head of Mission, Spanish Embassy & Kenya rapper
Octopizzo
The awards were presented as follows:•
Best African Contemporary Film Keko,
Presented by Oliver Litondo
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Best Documentary Film
Being A Girl,
Presented by Athi Water
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Best Short Film
Yokes,
Presented by African Digital Media
Foundation
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Slum Voice Award
Tales From Our Slums,
Presented by the Spanish Embassy
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Judges Choice Award
Intellectual Scum,
Presented by SFF Judging Panel
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People’s Choice Award
Weeping Ashes,
Presented by SFF Team
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Best Community News Piece
Slum Electrification,
Presented by World Friends
SFF2015 film lab lead trainer holding out one of the SFF2015 award
trophies.
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MEDIA COVERAGE SFF2015
From left: Duncun Chando, SFF Board, Philip Mentor of Riverwood, Rapper Octopizzo, Actor Oliver Litondo and Mrs. litondo,
George Karanja SFF Chair & Joey Muthengi of the Muthengi Foundation
SFF2015 film lab participant George Agak receives a certificate
from Oliver and Octopizzo
SFF2015 film lab participant George Agak receives a certificate
from Oliver and Octopizzo
Arik Karani, Athi Water (far right) gives an award for Best Documentary for the
film ‘Being A Girl’
Arik Karani from Athi Water and Hesbon Achola from World Friends pose for a
picture at the closing gala.
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SFF2015 PARTNERS & DONORS
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Our Contacts
Mob: +254 (0) 723122946, +254 (0) 770283603,
P.O. Box 4932 -00200, Nairobi,
Email: [email protected],
Website: www.slumfilmfestival.net,
Facebook: facebook.com/slumfilmfest, Twitter.com/slumfilmfest
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