Saitabao Kaiyare

🎬 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - Kilifi Creek Festival 2026 Got a story to tell? This is your moment. Submit your film and be part of the magic in Kilifi. ✨FREE submissions are open until March 31 📆 Festival dates: 23rd - 31st October 2026 📍 Kilifi, Kenya Entries are free until March 31! Submit now: /KilifiCreekFestival #KilifiCreekFestival #FilmFestival #CallForSubmissions #SubmitYourFilm #AfricanCinema

We are LIVE! Submissions for the 2026 edition of Kilifi Creek Festival taking place from 23rd - 31st October 2026 are now open on FilmFreeway! Submission link in bio. #filmfestival #festivalsubmissions

The Reel Kings — Celebrating the #MenBehindTheLens 🎥 Meet Saitabao Kaiyare @kaiyare , award-winning Kenyan filmmaker, Creative Director @baruucollective , and cultural heritage enthusiast. With over a decade of experience across Africa and Europe, Saitabao’s documentaries and short films have screened globally and earned major acclaim. His film If Objects Could Speak won Best Documentary at the AMVCA 2022, the Ousmane Sembène Prize at ZIFF 2021, and Best Short Documentary at the LA Cinematography Awards 2020. His latest film, Unyagoni: Bahati’s Sex Education Journey, won the Bronze Tanit at Carthage Film Festival 2025 and Best Short Documentary at @kitalefilmweek 2025. Saitabao is at the forefront of re-imagining African narratives, boldly, authentically, and on a global stage. 🎬 Re-imagining African stories for the world.

From Film Literacy to Filmmaking Collaborations 🎬 We’re proud to keep growing our partnership with the KENYA NATIONAL DRAMA AND FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL @kndff2025 , empowering film patrons at the Nairobi Region Workshop hosted at St George’s Junior School. This year, we teamed up with award-winning filmmaker Saitabao Kaiyare @kaiyare to train Junior School Film Patrons in the art and power of documentary filmmaking. From story development and script breakdown to camera work, sound recording, and editing essentials, this was a full-circle filmmaking experience. If this is the energy at the workshops, then trust us, #KNDFF2026 is going to be on fire!

We’re incredibly proud and excited to share that our film “Healing Rangelands: A Story of Hope and Harmony in Northern Kenya” has been selected as a Finalist at @serestoration , Denver film festival in Colorado, which premiered on October 2nd, 2025! Co-directed by @ian_wafula and @kaiyare Saitabao, with breathtaking cinematography by @ivohorsey , this documentary tells the inspiring story of how the degraded rangelands of Laikipia were brought back to life through indigenous leadership, ecological restoration, and cross-cultural collaboration. At the heart of the film is Bernadette Tinkoi, a visionary leader from the Maiyanat community, whose deep-rooted knowledge and determination helped transform decades of conflict into a powerful model of shared stewardship with Borana Conservancy. We also follow the incredible work of Llewellyn Dyer (permaculturist) and Richie Van Aardt (regenerative livestock expert), who worked side-by-side with the community to implement nature-based solutions like swales, water harvesting, and rotational grazing, proving that healing the land also heals communities. Chosen as a finalist in the category “Weaving in Indigenous Perspectives,” Healing Rangelands is a story of hope, resilience, and what’s possible when indigenous wisdom meets ecological science. We can’t wait to share this journey with the world. We will be releasing dates for viewings in Kenya soon! To watch and read about the film please follow the link in our bio. ........................................................................................⁠ Borana Conservancy is dedicated to the sustainable conservation of land and wildlife. All proceeds from livestock and other commercial enterprises are invested into a wide range of community focused conservation efforts. Together with @lewa_wildlife this landscape forms one of the largest continuous rhino habitats in East Africa.⁠ ........................................................................................⁠ Borana is home to @arijiju @boranalodge @laragaihouse @lengishu.house @siraihouse ⁠

✨ #MeetTheMaker | Saitabao Kaiyare In Unyagoni, part of the Redefining Desire: From Fear to Freedom Shorts Block, we follow Bahati Ngazi—a spirited sex educator—on her journey through the Swahili tradition of Unyago. With honesty and humour, Bahati aims to level up from an “advanced beginner” to an “intermediate” educator, challenging cultural norms and reshaping how intimacy, identity, and womanhood are taught and understood. 📍Screening Times: 🕒 JHB: Sat 22 June, 3PM | The Bioscope 🕒 CT: Wed 25 June, 8:30PM | Labia + Q&A 🎟️ Part of the Encounters 2025 Shorts Block: Redefining Desire #EncountersDocFest #WeRise2025 #Unyagoni #SwahiliStories #SexEdReimagined #AfricanCinema

Let’s Get Real. Unfiltered stories on Screen🎞️ Second up in our “In the Frame” spotlight is UNYAGONI, directed by @kaiyare and produced by @mumoliku Set in the heart of Mombasa’s cultural rhythm, this short doc follows Bahati Ngazi, a former radio star and all-round firestarter on her journey through Unyago, the Swahili rite of passage that blends sex education with song, food, banter, and bold womanhood. From a “Mkileso” to a “Kungwi”, Bahati’s path is personal, but also deeply political. She’s learning from elders, sharing what she learns, and helping reclaim sex education as something rooted in culture, care, and shared wisdom. Come explore what it looks like when sex education isn’t clinical - but cultural, communal, and grounded in care. 🎟️ Catch it (Every Friday in June) at @unseen.nairobi 🎫 550KES | Tickets via Mookh (link in bio)

We celebrate the women who made the film ‘Unyagoni: Bahati’s sex education journey’ Featuring @bahati_ngazi & the entire Swahili women community from Mombasa Cinematographer Emmma Nzioka Production Manger @wakarimawangui BTS @vickymuteti Production assistant @ocean._.merc Production accountant Freshiah Wairimu Post Production. Flo Nyambura #happyinternationalwomensday

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TUZA AWARDS AND SOKO Join us for a transformative panel discussion at Tuza Awards & Soko 2025! 🌍 On 8th march 2025 from 11:00 am at Distant Relatives, Kilifi, we invite you to explore the question: “How can digital innovation drive sustainable development in Africa?” this is a unique opportunity to hear from top experts and visionaries who are shaping the digital landscape for africa. Our dynamic panel includes: • Amos Nabii, Brand, Sales and Socials KNOB DIGITAL, Coordinator Tuza A. (Moderator) • Saitabao Kaiyare, African Filmmaker, Cultural Heritage Enthusiast , Creative Director@Baruucollective . • Immaculate Karanja, Brand Strategist & Communication Strategist • Penina Kimeru, Director - Generali's Food And Drinks • Andrew Sikudhani, Founder Merime Development & Merime Space With free entry and Vendor slots available at ksh 2,500, don’t miss this chance to gain invaluable insights, network, and drive change. #tuzaawards #tuzasoko #knobdigital #keshoyetu #digitalinnovation #sustainabledevelopment #africantech #africasustainability #greeninnovation #communityimpact #ecoentrepreneurship #techforgood #africanleadership #innovationhub #paneldiscussion #futureofafrica #digitalfuture #africanbusiness #networking #impact #changemakers #africanvoices #sustainablefuture #inspiration #knowledge

We are honored that our film ‘Unyagoni: Bahati’s sex education journey’ was awarded Best Short Documentary film at @kitalefilmweek 2025 🥳 Congratulations to the entire production team!