Recently, The Battle for Laikipia had a pilot academic screening at the @universitaetbern University of Bern as part of the Integrative Biodiversity Conservation Science Journal Club and Seminar Series, under a curation run by Dr. Cornelius Okello and Prof. Margaret Owuor from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, affirming the importance of alternative screening spaces beyond traditional theatrical routes.
In classrooms, cultural spaces, and community settings, film can open conversations that connect audiences across borders through shared questions of land, identity, coexistence, and the realities facing climate-affected regions worldwide. These screenings create meaningful opportunities to meet people where they are, fostering dialogue around the urgent themes shaping communities across the world.
If you’re interested in licensing The Battle for Laikipia to screen in an academic institution or cultural space, email us on [email protected] for more information and we will connect you with our distribution partners in the relevant territories.
This Friday, @thebattleforlaikipia screens as part of the Africa Lands pop-up by the Creators in Landscapes Festival, happening alongside @globallandscapesforum #GLFAfrica2026.
We are excited to be part of a gathering extending beyond the conference room, bringing together conversations that continue to recognise rangelands and pastoralism as dynamic, knowledge-rich systems of stewardship — sustaining livelihoods, biodiversity, resilience, and cultural diversity across some of the world’s most variable environments.
Purchase your ticket through the link on @globallandscapesforum 's bio!
We Are Not The Machine brings its expertise in impact-driven storytelling to @globallandscapesforum Africa 2026 in Nairobi (6–7 May).
As the forum convenes leaders shaping the future of land use and climate resilience across Africa, we're joining the conversation with a focus on narrative as a tool for shaping public discourse and policy.
Founder @tonisnap joins the opening plenary, From Margins to Mainstay, on 6 May at 9:15 am (EAT)
To tune in, join GLF Africa 2026 virtually or in person. Get your tickets here: bit.ly/GLFAfrica2026
After several SOLD OUT screenings 🎉🎉🎉, our March cinema run @unseen.nairobi has come to an end. We are so thankful to audiences in Nairobi who turned up in numbers to watch The Battle for Laikipia. We hope the film sparked debate around how the impact of climate change; the protection of both indigenous pastoralism and wildlife conservation; as well as addresing unresolved colonial legacies are all urgent issues that we need to address, not only in Kenya, but across the world. We tell stories so that we can reflect a mirror on society and inspire people’s hearts and minds to change the world around them through both small and big acts. We can’t do this without YOU, our audience, and we appreciate you! With thanks from @wearenotthemachine@onestoryup and our Kenyan distributor @bigger_motion 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
🎬 Filmmakers Hook: Festival success is not luck, it’s strategy. We’ve premiered films at international festivals and support projects on festival strategy, and one thing is clear: where and how you premiere your film should be intentional.
Before submitting anywhere, ask yourself:
🔹 What’s the goal: sales to broadcasters/streamers, global visibility, issue awareness, or positioning the team for future funding?
🔹 Do your funders require a local, regional, or international premiere?
🔹 Does this festival actually fit your film’s story, audience, and aesthetic?
🔹 Do you have a plan (and budget) for publicity and travel?
⏳ Festival strategy should start at least a year before release, not at the submission deadline.
📊 Reality check: A-list festivals accept only 2–6% of films. That means targeting 10+ festivals across different tiers, not betting everything on one.
The strongest festival runs come from clarity, timing, and alignment, especially for African films navigating global spaces.
Hope this helps someone planning their next release 🙏🏾
Celebrating @ivykiru , an award-winning Creative Producer championing bold, authentic African heroine stories and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.
From Free Money (TIFF, IDFA, now on Netflix) to Sungura (Best Extended Cinema, Malatesta Short Film Festival) and award-winning projects like Mawimbi and Inheritance, Ivy’s work continues to travel the world, from Cannes to Texas to Black Star.
An alum of the European Film Market Toolbox Programme, she has contributed to acclaimed East African films including No Simple Way Home (Berlinale), Baba (TIFF), Supa Modo, and Matabeleland.
Her storytelling? Rooted in Africa. Resonating globally. 🌍🔥
#WCW #WomenInFilm #AfricanStorytelling #CreativeProducers #FilmIndustry
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.
IN DEVELOPMENT🎬
From a short that travelled the world! To a feature in the making.
Tithes and Offerings by Tony Koros @t_koros , inspired by his award-winning short that screened at 50+ international festivals, including Clermont-Ferrand, is now in development. Watch the short: 🎥 Watch this space. Big things loading… #filmdevelopment #AfricanStories
WCW Spotlight: Phoebe Ruguru🎬
Celebrating @ruguruphoebe , a powerhouse Kenyan film producer shaping African cinema on the global stage.
She produced 18 Hours, the groundbreaking film that made history at the 2018 AMVCA as the first Kenyan film to be nominated—and win—Best Overall Movie in Africa.
Her trailblazing journey began early. In 2014, Phoebe became the first Kenyan to win an international film award at the Unchosen Modern Day Slavery Competition in London for her short film Saidia.
An accomplished storyteller and scholar, Phoebe holds a BA in International Relations & Anthropology from SOAS, University of London.
A true trailblazer and inspiration. We see you, Phoebe. 👏🏾#WCW #WomenInFilm #AfricanCinema #KenyanCreatives #Trailblazer
The Reel Kings, Celebrating the #MenBehindTheLens 🎬
Meet Gilbert Lukalia @lukaliak , an award-winning Kenyan actor and film director whose work continues to shape Kenyan and African cinema on the global stage.
From powerful feature films to standout TV series, Gilbert’s impressive body of work includes Mission to Rescue, Shattered, Pray and Prey, Lost in Africa, and The First Grader.
Mission to Rescue made history in 2021 as Kenya’s official submission to the 94th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
His impact goes beyond borders, having directed international productions such as The Marshal of Finland, which premiered at the Helsinki International Love & Anarchy Film Festival.
In 2014, Strength of a Woman dominated the Kalasha Awards, earning nominations and five major wins, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Lighting, and Best Original Score.
A true master of craft, vision, and storytelling, we celebrate Gilbert Lukalia, a Reel King redefining African cinema. 🎥
Two years after the @sundanceorg 2024 premiere of @thebattleforlaikipia , We Are Not the Machine founder Toni Kamau @tonisnap returns to Park City, this time as a jury member for the 2026 #sundancefilmfestival, taking place 22 January – 1 February 2026 🌍
Toni will serve on the World Cinema Documentary Competition Jury, alongside Emmy-nominated filmmaker Bao Nguyen and Women in Film CEO Kirsten Schaffer.
A News & Documentary Emmy and Peabody-nominated producer, Toni’s body of work continues to shape bold, necessary conversations, from @softiethefilm and @iamsamuelfilm to the acclaimed @thebattleforlaikipia .
And the wins keep coming! In December, Money Town, produced by Toni and created & directed by Toni Koros @t_koros , clinched the @redseafilm Souk Series Award at the 2025 Red Sea Souk Awards.
From Kenya to Sundance, this is what global impact looks like. Congratulations, Toni. The world is watching 🎥
Happy New Year from We Are Not The Machine 🎉
As we step into a new year, we do so with deep gratitude, renewed energy, and bold ambition. Thank you to every collaborator, partner, funder, broadcaster, filmmaker, and audience who walked with us through an incredible year of storytelling.
2025 reminded us why we do this work.
Money Town won the Series Pitch Prize at the Souk Awards, a powerful vote of confidence in African stories, bold ideas, and the future of long-form storytelling.
The Battle for Laikipia continues its global journey, with theatrical screenings across continents, impactful community screenings, and growing recognition through awards, sparking vital conversations on land, climate, identity, and justice.
As we move forward, WANTM is open and excited to collaborate:
🎬 As service producers or consultants on your African projects
🤝 With visionary partners and funders
🌱 On independent stories that challenge, disrupt, and move audiences
Reach out to us via [email protected]. Here’s to a year of deeper impact, stronger partnerships, and stories that truly matter.
Let’s make the work. Let’s push the culture. Let’s build together. #HappyNewYear
