KENYAN FILM SAFARI SET TO PREMIERE AT CINEKID FESTIVAL

Kenyan film Safari, produced by Rocque Pictures Ltd and directed by Bill Afwani is set to premiere at Cinekid Festival in the Netherlands on October 17.

The film tells the story of Safari, a wheelchair-bound boy who is taken on an adventure by the cheeky girl next door Kiki. Together, they try to see as many wild animals in real life as possible–and above all elephant Jumbo. But they come across evil poachers who make money hunting animals. The tale of Safari and his friend Kiki’s adventure touches on many elements of life in rural Kenya today, from living with disabilities to poaching yet still manages to convey the playfulness of traditional children’s adventure stories.

Film director Afwani opened up on the inspiration for the film, “In my childhood, heart-warming movies of adventurous kids having fun at the same time escaping perilous grounds always transported me to a visceral fantasy world that I wished I could physically experience. Movies like Home Alone, Free Willy, and Africa United that showed fun-loving children in dangerous situations exhibiting heroic characteristics kept kids glued. Safari is the movie I wish I had watched when I was young.”

Rushlake Media acquired the film for international sales prior to the festival selection and will represent the film globally. Safari is the latest film aimed at young audiences, following the company’s global success with Supa Modo and Liyana. Safari is written by Njue Kevin and produced by Ruguru Phoebe.