Phil Karanja talks about his visit to Hollywood and his experiences
By George MwendwaTop filmmakers Phil Karanja of Phil-it Productions and Kenneth Ambani are in the United States as part of the American Film Showcase Fellow 2024 cohort. The two Kenyans are among other notable African filmmakers and film industry leaders invited to the US for an exchange program with their Hollywood counterparts.
“We are learning a lot, networking, getting a picture of what the future looks like while also getting tremendous validation that our film in Kenya is heading in the right direction. We are not there yet but we are on track. ” Phil says.
The team has so far visited the Universal Studios ahead of attending the Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia.
This initiative is part of a broader U.S. State Department effort to support the creative economy in Africa and facilitate collaborative exchanges between the U.S. and African film industries.
Excited about his latest milestone, Karanja took to social media to share clips from his tour with the caption, “Hollywood, it’s been a long time coming.
The American Film Showcase (AFS), in partnership with U.S. embassies, continues to promote cultural exchange through cinema by showcasing American films internationally and organizing filmmaker exchanges. These initiatives are designed to foster deeper connections between American and international filmmakers, providing opportunities for creative collaboration and professional growth.
AFS has also expanded its program to include opportunities for international filmmakers to visit the U.S. and participate in residencies, film festivals, and workshops, providing them with valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, including producers, mentors, and distributors.
Recently, AFS hosted a week-long professional training program in Los Angeles for key figures in the African animation industry. The 14 participants were directors of the Disney+ animated sci-fi anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, a series that gained significant popularity after being screened in four African countries in partnership with U.S. embassies. The success of the anthology has already resulted in two of its directors being nominated for the prestigious Annie Awards, further spotlighting African talent on the global stage. Phil Director, as he is popularly known, has made a name for himself in the murky waters of the African film industry, co-directing TV shows like The Real House Helps of Kawangware, Mother in Law, Tahidi High, before delving into high-profile Netflix movies like Click Click Bang.
On the other hand, Ken Ambani rose to fame with the TV show Tausi in the early noughties followed by other shows like Maisha, Noose of Gold, Block D, Wingu la Moto, Cobra Squad, Mali, Tusker Milli na Marafiki game show, Makutano Junction, Nairobi Law, Siri, Shuga ll, Jacob’s Cross, Sumu, Twisted, Nuru among others.