FILMAID FESTIVAL AWARDS OUTSTANDING FILMS FROM THE REFUGEE STUDENTS

The 11th edition of the annual FilmAid festival came to an end last Friday at the Tribe Hotel, Nairobi. This followed a three week long screening event that saw FilmAid Media trainees from Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camp showcase their films and tell their untold stories from the camp.

The students were also engaged in panel discussions with various stakeholders in the film industry and humanitarian organisations.

Speaking during the gala, FilmAid Executive Director said, “We were thrilled with the submissions we got this year, the numbers improved significantly and this shows our commitment and vision of informing, inspiring and empowering refugees and marginalized populations is bearing fruit”.

This year’s theme for the festival was My story. My voice. Your move.” a non-confrontational demand for dialogue, and is a self-confident assertion that refugee voices be included in any dialogue about their lives and their future. The theme also captures the dynamism, determination and ‘swag’ of FilmAid’s remarkable Media Training Class of 2018.

In attendance included Keefe Mureen –FilmAid International Executive Director, Stella Suge – FilmAid Kenya Country Director, Raouf Mazou – Representative of the United Nations Refugee Agency in Kenya, celebrated artiste – Wyre, Dana Hughes –Regional Spokesperson and Communications Office UNHCR among other dignitaries.

This year’s festival had 1,500 submissions, out of which 15 were selected for screening at the camps and in Nairobi. The winners walked away with laptops and camera’s as motivation to continue speaking and coming up with great untold stories about Kakuma and Dadaab respectively.

Winners list below

Best Actor

Ali Farah Mohamud – The Discriminator

Best Actress

Jackline Ikuju – Why Me

Best Student Fiction Film

Why Me

Best Student Non-Fiction Film

The Other Dadaab

Best Sound

Aden Abdullahi Abdi – The Other Dadaab

Best Script

Gang Nyabuol Biel – Defying all Odds

Best Cinematography

Maryan Dahir Adawe – Defying All Odds

Best Editing

Makol Beer- Struggle for Family

Best Director

Rey Egide Bulambo – Why ME

Best International Fiction Film

Are You Volleyba;

Best International Non- Fiction Film

You Can’t Hide From the Truth

Best International Emerging Film Maker

Amina Rwimo – It has Killed My mother

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