London’s RichMix Cinema became an unlikely hub for East African culture this month as the first-ever Kenya Cinema Week brought Kenyan filmmakers and their stories to an international audience hungry for authentic African narratives.
Over two days in early November, the festival drew packed crowds who laughed, cried, and celebrated as four critically acclaimed Kenyan films unspooled on the Bethnal Green cinema’s screens, a historic first for Kenyan cinema in the United Kingdom.
The inaugural event, organized by Lion Paw Productions Ltd., featured Act of Love from Blackwell Films, Philip Karanja’s hard-hitting Makosa Ni Yangu (written by Abel Mutua), Cliff Webster’s intimate Once Upon A Maybel, and Buda Boss’s psychological thriller Checkmate. Each film offered distinct perspectives on Kenyan life, from tender explorations of sacrifice to unflinching examinations of gender-based violence.
Kenya Cinema Week 2025 was born out of love for our stories—the stories that define us as Kenyans and as Africans,”
said Sidney Sambu, who co-founded the festival alongside comedian and media personality Professor Hamo.
I want to thank every filmmaker, partner, and audience member for their hard work, support, and belief in the power of Kenyan storytelling.”
The festival’s success reflects growing international interest in African cinema beyond the established powerhouses of Nigeria’s Nollywood and South Africa’s film industry. Kenya, long overshadowed by its West African counterparts, is emerging as a creative force with stories that resonate across borders.
Opening night proved the festival’s gamble had paid off, with Act of Love and Makosa Ni Yangu drawing capacity crowds. The latter film, which tackles the trauma of surviving gender-based violence, sparked emotional responses from audiences, with Sambu noting that viewers “laughed, cried, and celebrated” throughout the weekend.
The event brought together an impressive coalition of supporters, including the Nairobi County Government, Kenya Film & Classification Board, and pan-African platform Yakwetu. Africa, and venue partner RichMix Cinema. Film curator Onesmus Muturi and promotional partner Rapcha Syantist also played key roles in bringing the festival to life.
For London’s Kenyan diaspora community, the festival represented more than entertainment—it was an affirmation of cultural identity and a rare opportunity to see their experiences reflected on screen. The strong turnout demonstrated significant demand for African stories told by African filmmakers, on their own terms.
The success of Kenya Cinema Week 2025 has already secured its future. Organizers announced plans to make the festival an annual event, with ambitions to expand beyond London and continue elevating Kenyan film culture on the world stage.
As global audiences increasingly seek diverse voices and authentic storytelling, Kenya’s film industry seems ready for its breakthrough moment, with London recently witnessing the onset.
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