Building on the success of the inaugural programme, Cohort 2 of the AFFC Storytellers Film Lab brought together 16 emerging filmmakers to develop and produce original short films.

Hosted at our partner Blink Studios, the cohort reflected AFFC’s commitment to creating accessible opportunities for storytellers from diverse backgrounds, including two women filmmakers from
refugee communities.

The programme culminated in a red-carpet premiere at Century Cinemax, Two Rivers Mall, themed Cupid’s Masquerade, in celebration of the Valentine’s season. The showcase featured the cohort’s completed films alongside selected works from a special call-out for filmmakers aged 35 and above, continuing AFFC’s commitment to fostering intergenerational exchange
within the film industry.

Representatives from the Kenya Film Commission joined us in celebrating the filmmakers and the growing impact of the Storytellers Film Lab. The evening brought together the work, the process, and the growth we had witnessed throughout the lab, with each filmmaker stepping forward to share stories developed with creativity, intention, and dedication.

A key milestone for Cohort 2 was the introduction of a formal jury awards system. While Cohort 1 featured only an Audience Choice Award, Cohort 2 expanded recognition through jury-selected awards celebrating excellence across multiple filmmaking disciplines.

These recognitions reflected not only the quality of the final films, but also the collaboration, commitment, and hard work that took place behind the scenes throughout the programme.

We were proud to welcome Safaricom Baze as a sponsor of the showcase. Through their
support, each award recipient received KSh 10,000 worth of airtime and a commemorative trophy, providing both practical support and recognition for their achievements.

The partnership with Safaricom Baze has continued beyond the awards ceremony. As a resultof this collaboration, one of the cohort films was distributed on the Baze platform, providing the filmmaker with an additional avenue to showcase their work, reach new audiences, and explore opportunities for monetisation.

Beyond the lab, AFFC partnered with SWIFT’s Sisterhood Cinema to present Behind the Lens: Women Taking Space in Film & Television, a virtual screening and discussion featuring the South African film 12 Years Bleeding alongside the Kenyan films Still, Quiet Control, and Fracture, of which these three films were developed and produced through AFFC’s Storytellers Film Lab and Equipment Hub.

The event brought together filmmakers and audiences from across Africa for meaningful conversations around womanhood, grief, trauma, resilience, and survival, further demonstrating
the power of storytelling to spark dialogue, build community, and amplify diverse voices.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the jury for their time, expertise, and thoughtful contribution in recognising the work across the cohort. Their guidance and insight helped celebrate excellence while encouraging the continued growth of emerging filmmakers.

Cohort 2 further strengthened AFFC’s mission to nurture emerging talent, champion inclusive storytelling, and create opportunities for filmmakers to learn, connect, and share their work with
wider audiences.

16 Filmmakers. Diverse Voices. Stories That Continue to Spark Conversation.

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