MENGI MENGI FILM CLUB is a bi-monthly gathering of film enthusiasts at the McMillan Eastlands Library.

I serve as curator and host and the goal is to enjoy, dissect and learn from a wide selection of pan-African films. The public sessions will be held on the first and last Saturdays of October and November 2022. Each session will run between 1pm – 4pm and feature the screening of a pan-African feature film preceded by a Kenyan short film.

October 1st
Theme: When audience is king

We’re kicking off the first edition with MANDABI (1968) by Director Ousmane Sembène (Senegal) and TO CATCH A DREAM (2015) by Director Jim Chuchu (Kenya). Lauded as the “father of African film”, here we see Sembène in fine form; exploring capitalism, class and the effects of colonialism in a tragicomedy about a Senegalese man who gets a money order from Paris.

Chuchu’s stunning fashion film lives in the same universe of Sembène dilemma tale and explores the choices a grieving widow makes in a desperate bid to stop her recurring nightmares. Notably, MANDABI is the first West African fiction film shot entirely in an African language; Wolof. TO CATCH A DREAM is equally groundbreaking with lead actress, supermodel Ajuma Nasenyana leading a cast speaking a host of languages including Turkana, Somali, Kiswahili, Kamba, Luo and Meru. 

Free entry. Limited seating. Screening starts promptly at 1PM.

My short film project, TRANSACTION is one of eight finalists selected to be part of Interfilm Film Festival’s Script Pitch competition and Script Lab programme. I’ll be taking part in the Script Lab & Pitch Training (15th – 18th Nov) and the Script Pitch Competition on 19th November.

TRANSACTION is also a 2021 DocuBox Short Film Grant winner.