Faimus Films

18/03/2021

“It’s the little things that citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.” – Wangari Maathai

The mangrove forest at Mida Creek in Kilifi County, Kenya was once under threat due to rampant harvesting by the local community. They would sell the wood to pay for their living expenses.

However, since the community of Mida was made aware of the devastating effects of mangrove deforestation, they made a collective effort to stop the cutting and to replant instead. The local schools in the area now include mangrove education and planting excursions in their curriculum.

The community has also set up a mangrove boardwalk and a canoe tour in the mangrove channel - the proceeds from the eco tourism replace the income that the residents would’ve earned through the cutting down of the trees.

The Mida Creek community is a great example of the importance of placing communities at the center of their own conservation story.

In this pic, my crew and I are enjoying a canoe tour through the Mida Creek mangrove channel, while working on our documentary on mangroves.

📸 Castor Rotich

05/10/2020

3 of 3: SADERA By Team Chale

Last week, I spent time with a group of filmmakers in the magical Maasai Mara for the inaugural Kenyan chapter of the Jackson Wild Summit. The delegates were treated to live, pre-recorded and in-person mentorship sessions by experts in natural history filmmaking. They were also divided into 3 teams and tasked to create a film by the end of the week.

Sadera is Team Chale’s film.

🇰🇪🎥🌍

Sophie Sadera is a professional guide at Angama Mara. As a woman of Maa heritage, this career choice has been the road less travelled. CREW: Samy Ghannam Mwikali…

05/10/2020

2 of 3: ENANYOKE By Team Bogoria

Last week, I spent time with a group of filmmakers in the magical Maasai Mara for the inaugural Kenyan chapter of the Jackson Wild Summit. The delegates were treated to live, pre-recorded and in-person mentorship sessions by experts in natural history filmmaking. They were also divided into 3 teams and tasked to create a film by the end of the week.

Enanyokie is Team Bogoria’s film.

🇰🇪🎥 🌍

The significance of the colour red in Maa heritage. Crew: Lord'e Kefa George Leakey Anthony Ochieng Fiona Tande

05/10/2020

1 of 3: SILENT HEROES By Team Amboseli

Last week, I spent time with a group of filmmakers in the magical Maasai Mara for the inaugural Kenyan chapter of the Jackson Wild Summit. The delegates were treated to live, pre-recorded and in-person mentorship sessions by experts in natural history filmmaking. They were also divided into 3 teams and tasked to create a film by the end of the week.

Silent Heroes is Team Amboseli’s Film.

🇰🇪🎥 🌍

The silent heroes combating poaching in the Mara Triangle. Crew: Adam Bannister Felixie Kipng'etich John Maende Maina Kiki Cheptoo Ng'ok

25/09/2020

The inaugural chapter of the Jackson Wild Summit in Kenya starts on Sep. 26th. We've been overwhelmed by the amount of people who have stepped up to help us get the big wheels turning. And we're especially thankful for this group of mentors, who're going to/already have given their time to sharpen the skillset and storytelling acumen of the filmmakers in attendance.

24/09/2020

Excited to be in collaboration with Jackson Wild, Angama Mara and Pridelands Films to stage the first ever Kenyan chapter of the Jackson Wild Summit in Kenya from Sep. 26th - Oct. 1st. Here are the filmmakers who will spend a week in the Maasai Mara, attending the Jackson Wild Summit virtually - being mentored by accomplished filmmakers in the field and also crafting their own films.

And here they are!!! We're excited to introduce you to the impressive up and coming and mid career Kenyan filmmakers that make up this year's inaugural The selected fellows will be engaged in talks given by an impressive list of veteran filmmakers, while at the same time come up with films of their own which will be available on demand during the Jackson Wild Virtual summit. If you haven't already, make sure to register for your pass to access all the behind the scenes action and so much more. Check out Wild for more details

17/08/2020

My latest documentary, Underwater Treasures, is a candid conversation with the locals of Wasini Island (and other local stakeholders) about the coral reefs of Kenya.

I chose to make this film because I believe it’s critical to engage in these crucial conversations with the local stakeholders about conserving our gorgeous motherland.

The film will be screened on Saturday (August 22nd) for Greenthing Kenya's first sustainable living workshop at UNSEEN Nairobi's gorgeous space in Kilimani.

Entry fee is KES 1,500 and it’s inclusive of: brunch, welcome drink, the screening and exhibition by . It’s also inclusive of hanging out with me, but who’s counting. Also, ALL proceeds will be going to the Wasini Island Beach Management Unit.

Because of Covid-19 health and safety observations, there will be limited spaces available. To book, send an e-mail to: [email protected].

See you there!

15/08/2020

Our documentary on the Kenyan coral reefs, Underwater Treasures, will be screening at UNSEEN Nairobi next Saturday. The event will run from 11am to 2pm.

For KES 1500 you'll get: brunch, a welcome drink, watch the film and enjoy an exhibition. ALL proceeds will be donated to the Wasini Island Beach Management Unit in Kenya.

See you there!

24/04/2020

We received our laurels today. These are from the Miami International Science Fiction Festival for our awards for: Best Director (Short Film) and Runner Up for Best Afrofuturism.

During this down time as we self isolate and social distance to keep everyone safe, we’ve been hard at work developing our next project. We can’t wait to share it with you when the time is right.

As always, thank you everyone for your support and encouragement along this journey. Happy FurahiDay, one and all!

Onwards and upwards. ✊🏾

12/04/2020

CHUMA was an official selection for the 2020 Miami International Science Fiction Festival. However, the event was turned into a virtual event to address the current limitations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, I was interviewed about CHUMA on a livestream - my first participation in such an event. 😬

Here is the interview - edited for time to only included my responses. The other filmmaker in the interview is Ricky Townsend - a New Zealand director of a really cool short called Truth.exe.

Onward and upward.

31/03/2020

There’s something equally mesmerizing and terrifying about watching and listening to a thunderstorm. And the electric event is that much more heightened when you experience it from a wilderness area such as the Maasai Mara.

I filmed this storm about two years ago when I was in the early stages of my experimentation with night photography and videography.

As soon as I realized that we were to be treated to a light show with no rain, I made a cup of hot chocolate, rigged the Go Pro and watched the enthralling syncopated streaks across the night sky.

🎵 Thunder (Instrumental) - Imagine Dragons

04/03/2020

Our U.S. journey started off on a strong note this past weekend with our little film bagging three awards in Memphis, TN! We won: Best Film, Best Global Film And Best Festival Film.

We couldn’t be there, but heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the festival who pulled out all stops for filmmakers. Thank you also to everyone who has offered us support during this journey.

And extra special thanks to the CHUMA cast and crew who tirelessly (and without reservation) threw themselves behind this film to ensure it took life. More than anything, I am loving sharing in this adventure with you!

But don’t get too comfy here: the best is yet to come. 😊

29/02/2020

CHUMA’s US Premiere is today in Memphis, TN! If you’re in the area, please go check out our film on the big screen!

📽👏🏾

"CHUMA" is a Film from Kenya Africa that is one of the 13 Global films that will be screened at our MidSouth Black Film Festival that starts TODAY! This Faith Musembi film has already been chosen as a official selection of 2 other international film festivals. However we will be the first film festival to screen this Amazing film. Get your tickets now.

05/02/2020

Our next screening on the international stage will be in Memphis, TN at the inaugural MidSouth Black Film Festival.

CHUMA will be screening on the bonus day of this month (Feb. 29th) at 3:10pm in the Global Films selection.

Onward and upward!

🇰🇪 🌍 🇺🇸

Exciting news ! We've added new showtimes to the schedule! Join George W. Tillman Jr. in screenings of 4 of his Historical Films at Malco Majestic Riverdale. Please share this post & check out more information here:
https://www.midsouthblackfilm.com/film-showtimes

30/01/2020

We’re so excited for CHUMA’s international premiere tonight in Germany at the Bamberger Film Festival through partnership with the Udada International Women’s Film Festival. Special thanks to Matrid Nyagah for her curation of the selected films.

09/01/2020

If you’ll be in Nairobi tomorrow (Friday) evening, you can catch “Kitambo” - a visionary science fiction short film about futuristic Kenya at 6:30pm at 20th Century IMAX. It’s the film’s last screening!

If you come through for the film, please hang around afterwards for a brief meet-and-greet with the Executive Producer, Willis Kanyiri.

Come one, come all! 📽🍿

07/01/2020

We hope that the first week of the new year has been a treat so far. We've hit the ground running, and we're only pausing long enough to appreciate this timely Facebook memory.

Since we joined YouTube 7 years ago, our fledgling production company has had a see-saw of gathering momentum and then slowing down. We've faced a lot of challenges and setbacks, but we've also enjoyed a fair bit of success. During these past 7 years we also rebranded from Faimus Productions to Faimus Films when we closed the chapter on cinematic wedding videos. (We may yet revive the Faimus Productions brand in the near future. )

It takes my breath away that in spite of our shortcomings as we developed our business running (and growing) muscles, we were able to keep growing our YT channel. Our current numbers are:

Subscribers: 4,410
Video uploads: 24
Channel views: 1,254,735

What else to say but: thank you for your faith and support in our craft - especially for watching content we post. We have quite a few exciting projects in store this year as we focus all our energy on film and scripted TV production.

We CAN NOT WAIT to bring you all along on this journey!

On this day, two years ago, Faimus Productions took its first tottering steps on YouTube by uploading our first video. We were confident of our work, but we were not prepared for the amount of love that you would show us by viewing ALL the content we upload - and most importantly, sharing it with your loved ones.

The seas have not always been smooth as we've grown over the past two years, but your support and encouragement have always kept us afloat.

We are so incredibly excited for the future. And we can't wait to share the new content that we have lined up for you as we continue to grow and expand our wings.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

01/01/2020

If you’re lucky enough to have crossed over into the new year at Kilifi New Year, make sure you check out CHUMA which will be screening later today in the film program!

Happy new year and new decade, one and all. Let’s make this year one for the record books!



💥🎇🥂

25/12/2019

Warmest of Christmas wishes from our family to yours! And may 2020 be the plot twist you've all been waiting for.

🎄❤️

20/12/2019

We were in attendance last night at the Kitambo Kenyan premiere to show support to our fellow local filmmakers. Kitambo is an intriguing, award winning Science Fiction (Afrofuturistic) short film based in Kenya. If you’re in the 254, please make a point to watch this visionary film when screening dates are released soon.

What a time to be a stakeholder in the film industry in Kenya!

🎥🎞🔥

📷 From left: Dan Othieno (Actor - Kitambo), Willis Wanyiri (Executive Producer & Editor - Kitambo), Myself & Ibrahim Muchemi (Actor - Chuma.)

16/12/2019

This evening CHUMA will be screening at K1 Klubhouse along with the other MachakosFest Top 10 Finalist films in Nairobi.

I’ll be there “kujibu maswali tata kuhusu CHUMA.” 🥁

[Translation: I’ll be there to answer pressing questions about CHUMA.] 👉🏾 This is a line of dialogue from the film. 😌😅

See you there at 7:30pm.

🤓🎞

15/12/2019

Heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to watch CHUMA and to vote for us for MachakosFest. And extra special thanks to those who shared the film with their social circles - I did not take that for granted and will remember your generosity and support. We came in third and we also won: Best Cinematography, Best Science Fiction and Best Special Effects.

Real talk: I’m super competitive and disappointed that we didn’t place higher or win more awards. However, I’m another step closer towards winning the Oscars that I’ll win one day. So I’m celebrating the journey and progress.

I’m super proud that our film was able to box above its weight class across all platforms and do as well as it did. Full credit to my amazing cast and crew.

CHUMA is just starting its journey around the globe and we’re excited to see where it takes us. If you’re in Nairobi, you can check it out tomorrow evening at K1 Klubhouse’s Movie Night. If you miss it there, you can catch it at the end of the year in my favourite county at Kilifi New Year. Then next month it will be playing in Germany and the month after that in...Well, I can’t tell you everything now. 😏

I’ll share more details as each screening approaches. Thank you once again to everyone who’s supported us thus far. The adventure is just beginning.

Onwards and upwards!

🎬🎥

06/12/2019

Heartfelt thanks to all who’ve watched CHUMA, sent us encouraging feedback and voted for us. And an extra special THANK YOU to those who went the extra kilometer and shared our film with family and friends. Your (ahem!) faith in us is not taken for granted. We aspire to continue producing works that you are proud to share with your people.

Even though I won’t be posting anymore to ask you to watch CHUMA, the short film will remain online and you can watch it here: bit.ly/CHUMAFILM.

As for us, we’re officially on to the next project. I’ll fill you in on the exciting details by and by.

Onwards and upwards. ✊🏾🎥🔥

📸 Acquiline Mbithe

05/12/2019

In CHUMA there is a low shot that arcs as the quad bike with a furious Tembo flies by. In the complete shot, the drone arcs and then rises flying in reverse to reveal Tembo racing across the arid Lukenya landscape.

The rise and reveal never made it to the final cut due to the fact that you see me in my yellow shirt as the drone rises. 😬

But I couldn’t change where I was standing because I was flying low and there were a number of shrubs in the way and no time to rehearse my way around them. So I had to be nearby so I could eyeball the drone as I flew (as opposed to using my iPad monitor.)

After banking my shot, I decided to see what the shot would look like from a super low angle. But I forgot to take into account that I’d lose visuals of the drone due to the amount of dust being kicked up by the quad. And sure enough, in the split second that I was flying blind, my propellers clipped a low lying shrub and took a tumble. 😅

You can watch the film here if you haven’t yet had a chance to check it out: bit.ly/CHUMAFILM.

🎥🔥

📹 Acquiline Mbithe

🎵 Timber (Remix) - Pitbull (Feat. Ke$ha)

03/12/2019

One of the questions we’ve been getting a lot is: how big was your crew on CHUMA?

We had 4 people directly involved in the filming (Director, DOP, Sound Recordist & Assistant) and 2 others who’d step in when we needed extra hands. This means that all hands were on deck and everyone was on their toes at all times.

When you’re under resourced it’s easy to justify shortcuts around corners, but this crew made no excuses and used what should have been a handicap as motivation to do their best work. This is a testament to their diligence, resilience and all round awesomeness as professionals.

And the best part about this talented group of individuals? Their sights are already set on their next projects and they’re aiming to better their best!

If you haven't had a chance to watch CHUMA yet, you can do so here: bit.ly/CHUMAFILM.

🎵 Just Hold On - Steve Aoki & Louis Tomlinson

28/11/2019

Today we received the nominations for the rest of the categories for MachakosFest 2019. These categories are selected and voted on by the festival jury. CHUMA has received 12 out of a possible 13 nominations.

CONGRATULATIONS to my A-(mazing) team who went to war with me, showed up for battle every single day and poured their hearts out in the making of this film. I feel like a proud mama for all their individual nominations.

If you haven’t seen the film yet, you can check it out here: bit.ly/CHUMAFILM.

🙏🏾

*Best Film is the only category where the audience gets to add their two cents to the judging by the festival jury.

26/11/2019

Sound plays a major role in CHUMA. And it was a fun, but laborious challenge layering the mix of dialogue, foley, sound effects, ambient sound, mood sound and the score to craft a complex (and realistic) soundscape.

In this clip we have a side-by-side comparison of the clean sound recorded by our sound recordist on set vs when all the sounds have been added, layered and mixed.

If you’ve watched CHUMA, what is your favourite sound?

If you haven’t yet, you can check it out here: bit.ly/CHUMAFILM.

21/11/2019

21/11/2019

WATCH SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR: CHUMA!

"This action-packed film is 7-minutes long, but it feels like only 2 minutes. It will leave you begging for more." - Jeff Mutiso

To Vote for your favorite MachakosFest 2019 Film click the following link https://forms.gle/zZ4hvfkeeu9MUYp36

21/11/2019

I live in a place called Machakos. And there’s a place here where water flows uphill. This place is called Kyamwilu (p**n. Chah-mwee-loh.) Or Kituluni Hill for those whose brains refuse to contend with how “k” + “y” = “ch”.

And as with any place where such happenings occur, the explanation for the event is steeped in sweet folklore. Of course the first time I heard about Kyamwilu I chalked it up to my fellow Akamba tribesmen and women not letting the truth get in the way of a good story.

Until I saw the event with my own eyes. 😳🤯

My overactive imagination was triggered into overdrive: What if the folklore is meant to distract us from the actual fact that there’s extraterrestrial activity beneath the hill that causes the water to flow uphill? 🤔

And with that spark, the world of CHUMA started taking shape in my head. In that world, it is rumoured that there’s a transdimension portal within the hill through which the extra terrestrial CHUMA use to access Kenya.

Real life, though, is less thrilling. Scientists have concluded there’s a ridiculous amount of mercury deep beneath the hill that somehow causes the uphill flow of water. I’m still reading up on it. (But deep down I’m still convinced that it’s all a conspiracy.)

In the meantime, please get carried away with my imagination when CHUMA premieres tomorrow on the Machawood Machakos YouTube channel. .