WE MAKE
stories.
Film, documentary, and creative production from Africa to the world. Stories rooted in people, place, and uncompromising artistic voice.
The creative tension between cinematic gravity (FILM) and raw human practice (LAUNDRY).
Yours in storytelling
Our work
Documentary, scripted and commissioned films made from Nairobi for audiences everywhere.
Float
A teenage competitive swimmer's passion for the water turns to fear as comments about her weight erode her confidence — until an unexpected friendship with an older woman learning to float helps her remember what makes her body great.
Pepo Kali
After a biker dies in a riding accident, her mother decides to take motorcycle riding lessons in order to process her grief.
A Conversation Between Two Artists
A documentary commissioned by UNESCO and the Nara International Film Festival, shot between Kenya and Nara, Japan.
Sungura
A woman with a disability wants to buy a vibrator from a senga at a friend's bridal shower, and must confront other women at the party who believe she is non-sexual because she uses a wheelchair.
The full slate
What we make
We are passionate about producing emotionally impactful films that challenge the boundaries of what stories can be told, and how they can be told.
DOCUMENTARY
Non-fiction rooted in people and place. We prioritise trust, dignity and real-life resonance above sensationalism.
SCRIPTED
Narrative shorts and features crafted with deep sensitivity to performance, character psychology and visual pacing.
COMMISSIONS
Commissioned films, music videos and campaign work for broadcasters, NGOs and cultural partners.
CREATIVE PRODUCTION
From concept and treatment through location, casting and production, to final grade and sound master.
DEVELOPMENT
Original stories developed in-house and taken to international labs and markets. Pepo Kali carries the Red Sea Lab Production Prize and development awards from Center Frame and the Great Lakes Producer’s Lab.
“Our best to tell remarkable, out-of-the-box stories.”
DIGNITY FIRST
We believe in cinema that surprises, provokes and inspires, while always centering the dignity and agency of the people whose lives we portray.
ROOTED, NOT LOCAL
Driven by a global outlook and grounded in African storytelling, we keep pushing creative boundaries while building bridges between communities and industries.
ARTISTICALLY & SOCIALLY
We collaborate with broadcasters, NGOs and cultural partners to make films that are artistically compelling and socially resonant.
Who we work with
Every film credits its own crew. These are the people who have made the work so far.
Lydia Matata
Director, Writer & ProducerWriter, director and producer across the studio slate — from documentary commissions for Al Jazeera, UNESCO and the Skoll Foundation to award-winning scripted shorts. Her feature script Pepo Kali carries the Red Sea Lab Production Prize.
Lydia Matata
Director & Writer · Producer · Director & Producer · Cinematographer · Editor
9 films
African Post Office
Colour grading · Colourist
3 films
Anthony Mwangi
Editor
2 films
E.M Mwangi
Cinematographer
2 films
Eddie Okumu
Sound designer · Colourist
2 films
Ivy Kiru
Producer
2 films
Mungai Kiroga
First assistant director · Production manager
2 films
Adalya J Rono
Wendo
Float
Authur Sanya
Production manager
Sungura
Auudi Rowa
Wangare
Sungura
Beatrice Kamuyu
Mariam
Float
Bilal Wanjau
The prophet
Millet
Brian Obra
Cinematographer
Pepo Kali
Debra Aroko
Producer
Pepo Kali
Emma Nzioka
Director of photography
Millet
Eric Musyoka
Sound
Mothers of Mathare
Faith Kibathi
Wendo's mum
Float
Florence Njeri Wambui
Kemunto
Sungura
Cast and full crew for each film are listed on its own page.
GOT A STORY?
Let’s make it.
Nairobi, Kenya East Africa