The feature film, Kumekucha: Tunu, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of Tanzania’s young farmers made its
American debut on the big screen at the 32nd Annual Washington, DC International Film Festival, known as FilmFest DC. Over 150 people, including USAID staff, gathered at Landmark’s E Street Cinema to watch the sold out showing.
Supported by USAID Tanzania and Africa Lead, Tunu is the first of two supplementary films from Africa Lead’s multimedia activity in Tanzania. The central focus of the campaign was a 52-week radio show that was broadcast across Tanzania, aimed at inspiring women and youth into agribusiness.
The only East African film at the film festival this year, Kumekucha: Tunu’s debut included audience members from various African countries and the African diaspora. Former YALI fellow and Tanzanian youth leader Abella Bateyunga, the executive director & founder of USAID supported Tanzania Bora Initiative, was one of the audience members. Commenting during a post-film question and answer session led by Africa Lead communications staff, Abella said that she was inspired to go back home and use the film as a tool to help teach the youth she works with through her organization. Other audience members from Ghana, South Africa, and Somalia asked if the film and series would be made available across Africa. The second film, Kumekucha: Fatuma, released in March 2018 focuses on Tanzanian women’s participation in agriculture and the challenges they face.
Learn more about the film at: www.kumekucha.info.