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Debbie

@_aroko

Filmmaker| Producer| Finn's Mom 🐈 Award-winning Director of @searchingforamani Program Director of SSP Africa @videoconsortium
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Today, our cross-cultural labor of love, Searching for Amani, was nominated for a 2026 News and Documentary Emmy!! So grateful for everyone who helped bring this story to life! Watch it on PBS World @worldchannel @ajwitness @aljazeeraenglish
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1 month ago
I am so excited to finally share that Searching for Amani, the documentary that I directed alongside the talented Nicole Gormley (@gromlet ) and a group of talented filmmakers from all over the world - (we’re talking Nairobi, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, etc.) is set to have its world premiere at @tribeca on Saturday, June 8, 2024! Thank you to the entire @searchingforamani crew and the Ali family for making this happen. Open the comments to read my goofy,emotional, and verbose tribute that was too long to be a caption.
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2 years ago
What a journey it’s been! Searching for Amani is now available worldwide with two incredible, award-winning distribution partners ✨🎉 If you’re in the U.S., you can stream the film on PBS World @worldchannel and globally the film is now available via Al Jazeera’s documentary strand, Witness. @aljazeeraenglish @ajwitness To celebrate, we’re sharing a brand-new trailer ⚡️ We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made this film possible — from Simon and his family, Haron and his, to our entire team and executive producers, @autlookfilmsales , and the incredible partners at PBS and Al Jazeera… we could not have done this without you! From our very first meeting, Executive Producer and Nat Geo Explorer @drpaulakahumbu with @wildlifedirect made one thing clear: this film had to be easily accessible in Africa. Too often, films are shot on the continent, but the people who live there cannot watch them. From that moment on, ensuring both global and local access became a non-negotiable for us. The strength of this film lies in sharing Simon’s story — and in making sure that story can be seen by everyone. As the Horn of Africa approaches another season likely marked by intense drought, we’re reminded of an essential truth: The people who bear the greatest impacts of climate change are not the ones creating it. And as Simon reminds us, there is power and agency in every story. Use your voice. With love and gratitude, and in tribute to Mr. Ali and Baba Lengus - your legacy, and your children, will not be forgotten. Thank you to PBS and Al Jazeera for helping amplify these stories. ♥️The Searching for Amani team @farstaractionfund @randomgood_films @backroadspictures @tigertales @museum_crane @_aroko @gromlet @rhesus_positive_ @ronnie_mugambi @campbellbrewer
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4 months ago
Hey! 👋🏾 Are you an African filmmaker passionate about telling stories that drive social change in your community? 🌍🎥 ⏰ There are only 5 days left to apply for the Solutions Storytelling Project (SSP) Africa 2026 fellowship!*If you’ve been considering it, now is the perfect time to submit your application. Through SSP Africa, filmmakers receive: ✨ Support to develop powerful, solutions-driven stories 🎥 Mentorship from experienced industry professionals 🤝 Connection to a global network of nonfiction filmmakers 🚀 Opportunities to share your work widely — with past SSP films receiving international distribution through platforms like AJ+ and Scientific American Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative fellowship. 📌 Apply Now! Link in Bio @videoconsortium
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5 months ago
Searching for Amani follows a thirteen-year-old aspiring journalist’s investigation of his father’s tragic murder within the boundaries of one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies. We offer a range of educational resources for this powerful film, designed for grades 7-12, college and adult learning communities. They are also great for after school clubs, community education, service learning spaces and public screenings. Tap @journeysinfilm and check out the link in our bio to learn more in the Searching for Amani Educational Resource FAQ! 👆 #SearchingForAmani #EnvironmentalEducation #K12Learning #IBEducation #StudentEngagement @SearchingForAmani
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7 months ago
Teach about Colonization and Climate Conflict with our Searching for Amani Historical Handout. This printable resource is an asset to classes on Kenya, Kenyan history, and contemporary climate conflicts. Tap @journeysinfilm and check out the link in our bio to learn more about this new film in our resource library! 👆 *Resources for teaching with Searching for Amani are also available on @sharemylesson . #SearchingForAmani #ITeachSocialStudies #ITeachHistory #IBEducation #StudentEngagement @aftunion @aftnewteacher @searchingforamani
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7 months ago
How do climate change, colonialism, and Indigenous rights intersect? Our Searching for Amani climate lesson helps students explore these complex issues through the story of Simon, a 13-year-old in Kenya uncovering the forces of climate change affecting his community. This 3-part lesson includes case studies, historical context, and hands-on worksheets that guide students through biodiversity, justice, and Indigenous perspectives. Perfect for IB, Environmental Science, Social Studies, and World History classes! Tap @journeysinfilm and click the link in our bio to read more. 👆 * Resources to teach with Searching for Amani are also available through @sharemylesson . #SearchingForAmani #ClimateJustice #EnvironmentalEducation #Indigenous #K12Learning
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7 months ago
Inspire student journalists with Searching for Amani. This advanced journalism lesson includes a press conference activity! Our journalism lesson for @searchingforamani asks students to research the Indigenous inhabitants of the land where their school is located and their relationship with government institutions. Students put their research to work in a press conference interview modeled after the daily White House press briefing. This lesson was created for journalism classes, journalism after-school film clubs, service-learning, and other spaces looking for activities related to gathering and reporting information. Tap @journeysinfilm and check out the link in our bio to learn more about this new film in our resource library! 👆 *Resources for teaching with Searching for Amani are also available on @sharemylesson . #SearchingForAmani #ITeachJournalism #ITeachHighSchool #ITeachMiddleSchool #Indigenous @aftunion
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7 months ago
Searching for Amani is a compelling documentary with a young journalist main character that introduces students to Kenya and explores climate change from multiple perspectives, including Biodiversity, Colonialism, Conflict and Conservation, Economic Justice, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples. @searchingforamani is also a powerful tool for teaching interview skills and inspiring interest in journalism careers. Tap @journeysinfilm and check out the link in our bio to learn more about this new film in our resource library! 👆 *Resources for teaching with Searching for Amani are also available on @sharemylesson . #SearchingForAmani #EnvironmentalEducation #K12Learning #IBEducation #StudentEngagement @aftunion @aftnewteacher
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7 months ago
🚨 Calling all documentary filmmakers in Africa 🚨 Following three impactful editions of fellowships across the Global South, we’re excited to announce that Solutions Storytelling Project (SSP) is returning to Africa for Season Four! 🎬 SSP Africa is a year-long fellowship that begins in January 2026 and will support 15 African (born and based) filmmakers. Each will be paired with an inspiring nonprofit, robust resources, connections, and community to produce a human-first, solutions-focused short documentary. Don’t miss your chance to join this transformative professional and creative development program! SSP films from previous cohorts have garnered millions of views online, won @tellyawards , and screened in festivals and with well-known media outlets like @ajplus and @scientific_american . Our SSP: Asia filmmakers are working on their final cuts now. 🎯 DEADLINE TO APPLY: November 30. Learn more + apply today at the link in our bio! ↑ Special thank you to the @skoll.foundation for your support and shared vision for all our SSP programming, and to the Program Co-Director Debra Aroko (@_aroko ) for leading the charge. 📸 Photos are from the filming of SSP Africa (2023) projects Rooted in Trust (dir. by @nickwambugu ) and Zokutu: The White Water (dir. by @frankgbie ).
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7 months ago
🚨 It’s official! Searching for Amani is now playing at Unseen Nairobi ALL AUGUST! 🔥 This award-winning documentary follows 13-year-old Simon Ali on a gripping search for answers after his father’s murder — a powerful story of truth and resilience from Northern Kenya. 🇰🇪 🎤 Catch the one-night-only Q&A tomorrow, August 8th,at 7 pm with Director Debra Aroko and the star himself, Simon Ali. 🎟️ Seats are limited — get your tickets now (link in bio)and follow @unseen.nairobi + @searchingforamani for more updates! #SearchingForAmani #UnseenNairobi #KenyanCinema #EastAfricanStories #NowShowing #AwardWinningFilm #QandA #indiefilms #kenyanfilm #climatechangeawareness
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9 months ago
At a time when threats to press freedom and climate resilience dominate headlines worldwide, Searching for Amani offers a timely and intimate portrait of one boy’s fight to uncover the truth. The internationally acclaimed documentary will have its U.S. television premiere on June 8 at 10/9c as part of WORLD Channel’s Peabody Award-winning series DOC WORLD, and will stream on worldchannel.org, PBS App, and YouTube. We’re also happy to share that Doc World on PBS will be the first of several releases rolling out this year. It was very important to us to ensure that the film could be accessed globally—especially within Kenya. Below is a summary of upcoming opportunities in 2025 to watch the film worldwide. U.S. Broadcast: Premieres nationally on PBS’ WORLD Channel this June 8th, 2025 Global Release: Airing this Fall 2025 on Al Jazeera Witness, reaching over 130 countries Africa Theatrical + Impact Screenings: Rolling out across key cities and rural communities this August, with a robust community-led campaign This moment means a lot to us. Thank you for being part of this journey and helping spread the word. We’re also excited to let you know that the Learning Guide is now available on our website for anyone looking to use the film in classrooms, workshops, or community screenings. We’re incredibly grateful for your support in shaping this resource. It’s a big part of the impact we hope this film will make. 📺 How to Watch: – TV Broadcast: Sunday, June 8 at 10/9c on DOC WORLD (find your local listing: worldchannel.org/schedule) – Streaming: YouTube, PBS App, worldchannel.org #DocWorld #ClimateChange #Kenya #Laikipia @worldchannel @backroadspictures @farstaractionfund @randomgood_films @drpaulakahumbu @museum_crane @searchingforamani
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11 months ago