Films Without Borders heads to Slum Film Festival

The festival, which this year has the theme of Reels of Hope, describes itself as “the first ever film platform featuring stories from slums, about slum realities and made by filmmakers from the slums in Africa – and beyond. It is a celebration of the creativity of filmmakers living and working in slums.”

Films Without Borders has recently finished a workshop making short films with young people from Nairobi’s slums of Kibera and Mathare, looking at teenagers turning their lives around and also celebrating the success story of rapper Octopizzo.

“We feel privileged to have worked with the super smart teenagers of Kibera and Mathare,” says Films Without Borders founder Jill Samuels.

“They took us on a journey through the slums and in turn allowed us into their somewhat difficult lives they always had a sparkle in their eye and a smile on their faces.

“Each and every one of our participants brought something different to the table and it is clear they cannot change what has happened in the past but with their strength and resilience and determination and positive outlook they may well be the generation who can create change for the future.”

Films Without Borders works with young people in challenging communities, training them in film production. Previously the charity has worked with teenagers from South Africa, Israel, Rwanda and Palestine. 

The UK-based charity is also in talks with a leading African TV company to offer career opportunities to its participants.

The work in Kenya was done in association with the Sandy Vohra Foundation and with support by Sarova Hotels and Swiss International Airlines.

The Slum Film Festival is a joint project hosted by Slum-TV and The Hot Sun Foundation, and supported by World Friends, the Royal African Society, and the Embassy of Spain (Kenya), and the Alliance Française.