Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.
We make films; usually short ones, about cool things. Films for TV, for the internet or wherever people like to watch creative content.
We work with international broadcasters, global NGOs, small NGOs and with companies that we like, to tell stories that can hopefully make a little bit of a difference somewhere in the world. We’re based in Nairobi, Kenya but have worked on projects in over 30 countries.
What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?
As filmmakers we don’t make films about people, but with people. Working with local teams we aim to tell compelling, entertaining stories with a social impact. We work across formats from drama to documentary, and from live action to animation.
At Fundi Films we bring together youth and media creatives with behavioral and communication experts to create inspiring content.
How can people join or learn more about what you do?
Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?
Our film is about how local actions – even in the face of overwhelming obstacles like climate change induced floods can save 1000s of lives. We had heard about a remarkable man, Shee Kupi, from Lamu, Kenya who had led the evacuation of 10,000 people and their livestock from approaching flood waters. We set out to find Shee and tell his story. What we found was a more complex narrative around disaster preparedness and building local resilience – but also about the power of local action.
What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?
I think it is a complex story simply told, and I think that is its power. While Lamu is incredibly beautiful, it faces security and instability challenges. We operated as a small team and put ourselves into the hands of the best possible guardians – Shee and his team. I think the result is an authentic narrative that doesn’t diminish the challenges facing coastal communities but celebrates resilience.
Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?
Help people to tell their stories in the most authentic way possible.
Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?
We were lucky enough to travel with Shee and his disaster response team in a boat to the far north of Kenya on the Somali border where they often respond to disasters related to capsized small ferries. We raced amongst the most pristine mangrove swamps and beautiful Indian Ocean waters to meet people who had been saved by Shee and his team.
Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.
Sharing the film with the team in Lamu, and seeing their pride in having the unseen work they do portrayed to the world.
Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’
… allowing your contributors to be themselves, and giving a viewer a glimpse into the unfiltered world of another remarkable human.
