2021 | NARRATIVE | TANZANIA | COLOR | 38'

Growing Up (Ndio Ukubwa)

’Ndio Uubwa’ is an anthology of three short films — Mwajuma, Kete, and Dogo — created by the Sauti Mpya film programme at Nafasi Art Space during April - July 2021. The films follow three different characters, each in their own unique circumstances but all facing the societal pressures placed on young people in modern-day Tanzania. A woman who sells dagaa, dances with a contemporary dance troupe, and challenges expectations about people of her size; a young man who has put his own life on hold to take care of his sick mother while trying his best to stay connected to his friends; a man who works as a gardener and struggles to see his own worth, all the while failing to realize how much his young nephew looks up to him. These are the stories contained in this anthology — intimate, observational glances into the characters’ lives as they navigate the challenges of young people at the cusp of adulthood and the social bonds that sustain them.

Mwajuma (co-directed by Walt Mzengi Corey and Regina Kiwhele)

Follows a day in a life of a young female dancer who also needs to work to survive

Kete (co-directed by Walt Mzengi Corey and Beather Mwakyenda)

A young man cares for his sick mother and tries to stay in touch with his friends

Dogo (co-directed by Rebecca Mzengi Corey and Kelvin Kagambo)

A young man and his kid nephew take a big risk in an attempt to fit in.

A Note about the Production:

The Sauti Mpya Film Development Programme at Nafasi Art Space was conceived as an intensive, hands-on training for emerging Tanzanian filmmakers with an emphasis on story development and script writing for short films. The 17 participants were selected out of a wide pool of applicants. They all developed stories for short films, and then worked collaboratively with filmmakers Walt Mzengi, Nicholas Calvin, and Rebecca Yeong Ae Corey to turn three of them into fully realized scripts. During their training, the filmmakers also attended guest talks with local and international film industry representatives including Martin Mhando, Seko Shamte, Christina Pande, Tebogo Malebogo, Peet Van Staden, Florence Mkinga, Thobias Minzi, and others. The films were shot using collective modes of production— the stories and scripts were written in teams, every trainee had the opportunity to serve in a different role on each set, and responsibilities were largely shared between the group members.

Nafasi Art Space is a multidisciplinary contemporary art centre in Dar es Salaam that seeks to enrich and further human potential through the arts. Nafasi focuses on promoting the creativity, professionalism, and visibility of Tanzanian art and artists through training, cross cultural dialogue, exposure, and collaborative artistic endeavours. Nafasi’s Sauti Mpya programme was funded by WeWorld Tanzania via a grant from the European Union, in partnership with the Tanzania Film Board, Zanzibar International Film Festival, and Azam TV. Nafasi Art Space is supported by the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Screenings:
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
Nafasi Art Space
Azam TV

Filmmakers and Participants in the Sauti Mpya Project:

Walt Mzengi (Lead Facilitator and Director), Nicholas Mwakatobe Calvin (Facilitator and Cinematographer), Rebecca Yeong Ae Corey , Ahmed Ally, Amina Ali Mwechaga, Irene Themistocles, Regina Kihwele, Beather Mwakyenda, Chifuniro Lungu, Miriam Phiri, Deodaty Nyalusi, Mohamed Mussa, Kelvin Kagambo, Mikidadi Mwinyiamani, Salim Mwandoro, Sudi Masomwa, Shafii Mangi, Rajab Lawaliya Habibu