Three years from now, KFI will be able to realise its vision without external support from foreign donors, foreign trainers and foreign consultants who have already contributed so much to KFI.

By then KFI will be financially and organisationally mainly self-supportive. And on its own KFI will be able to create an endless flow of new generations of talented filmmakers from challenging backgrounds – filmmakers who will constantly change the media landscape for the better.

Expression

The Kilimanjaro Film Institute (KFI) was established in 2007 to assist in the development of media skills among disadvantaged youth in and around Arusha, who for a long time have been left virtually voiceless and have expressed a need to be heard and taken seriously.

The students of KFI are selected from a range of local organizations that take care of underprivileged youth in Arusha and its surrounding regions.

The idea is for the students develop their own way of making audio-visual productions by giving them the tools and stimulating their creativity.

This gives them the opportunity to express themselves independently and use their skills to reflect social and cultural developments within society. Students are well prepared to develop careers in the film and television industry. In the first year at KFI they learn the basic skills: English, computer skills, life skills, camera work, editing, etc. In the second year they participate in the production of a series for Tanzanian television (Tazama). In the third year they learn to work for clients. The students get on-the-job training, learn how to work for clients and learn what kinds of films the market is asking for.

This is also a way for KFI to earn some income and become less dependent on outside funding.