Sam Ombae

General Manager

Samuel Moseti Obae is our one of our amazing Managers. He has incredible energy, a great sense of calm and complete dedication to Kilimanjaro Film Institute.
Sam Ombae Samuel Moseti Obae is our one of our amazing Tanzanian trainers. He has incredible energy, a great sense of calm and complete dedication to Kilimanjaro Film Institute. He inspires the students not just with editing training but life skills, computers, English and great fun games to increase their confidence. He has made the most enormous difference to the students, they are very different people to the ones he was working hard with at the beginning of term in July.
Sam was educated in Kenya but luckily came back to his homeland to work in film. Sam’s experience in the world of film started in 2004 when he learnt from an American film maker, Aaron Mathew, and afterwards in Zanzibar from the One Minute Foundation. He and his business partner, Msechu (our other amazing assistant trainer) have shot and edited several short films in Tanzania, a few of which have been accepted in to film competitions across East Africa.
His way of teaching here at KFI is very hands on, he makes the shy students shout across to each other in the garden, he has spent days and nights working with the editors turning their minds towards the idea of story telling, that is what editing is all about! top

Anwary K Msechu

Creative Director

Anwary Msechu Anwary K. Msechu is a true multimedia artist. He began studying Filmmaking in 2004 with his partner Samuel from well wishers friends and also doing personal studies from various books and internet. 2005 he got Film training in ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival) by Ineke from the One Minute Foundation.
He is the director and editor of the films: “The spirit of volunteerism in UAACC” Music video entitled “Ukurasa Mwingine”-Another Chapter, written, produced and directed a documentary film entitled “Warangi Tribe and Kolo Paintings” (The film about Old Rock Painting and Warangi Tribe in Dodoma Region Tanzania, and film was screened in Zanzibar International Film Festival in Zanzibar) a film which was funded by National Geographic, “The Power of Poetry” which explore the progress of Poetry in Tanzania and Arusha in mainly. top

United Broadcast Facilities Trainers

Dick Sevinga

Quality Manager

“It all started for me when Cees and I got together with Bibeck and came up with an idea to start a film training institute in Tanzania. We decided that we could help by donating equipment and knowledge. I got involved because I wanted the adventure and also to be able to help someone through my knowledge, not just financially. Money doesn’t do enough, what people need is equipment and knowledge. The challenge is make the students aware that they are people of the world, not disadvantaged young people. They need to take this opportunity to learn and improve their chances for their own future, they are in charge of their own destiny. I feel very happy to be part of this project but, to me, it’s the same if we were in Tanzania or Holland, students are students all over the world.” top

Kees Knepper

Technician

“It is a tremendous joy to work with these very enthusiastic people, supplying them with all kind of knowledge, not only technical but also all kinds of other subjects we discussed. I do realize its not possible to fill the gap in education within the limited time we have in Tanzania, but we at least can give a hand in helping these young people on their way. KFI is a really nice environment in which to do this.” top

Cees Dekker

Senior Sound Engineer

“I do believe that the students are potential film makers for Africa. My job is co-ordinator and I feel it is very important for United people to have the experience of working in Africa. Language can sometimes be a problem and the way of life is so different – life in Holland is fast paced but here we have to slow right down. The students have no basic physics or maths – in Holland everyone at least has experience with a still camera. Here you start with nothing. Having said that, the students and United communicate and work very well together.” top

Roland Tolsma

Video Editor

“When I was invited to go to KFI I had several expectations yet I didnt know what to expect. The first contact with the students and trainers gave me a lot of motivation because of their will to learn and become professional film makers. Though they were tough days physically and mentally, the will of the people helped me through. When I met the students in a more personal way, they gave me the strength to complete the entire 3 weeks. I was also quite nice to see how well everyone related to each other. The friendship and warmth towards each other was nice to see. I believe that eveyone can make it and I hope to have a chance to go to KFI again ” top

Manuel Sevinga

Video Editor

“I came out to Tanzania to teach students about Video Editing, I thought it could help them towards their future, to give them a chance to get an income and then take care of themselves. I found that during the first few days with my students it was a challenge to earn their trust but, after a few days the ice broke and they then started asking lots of questions so the teaching of course became a lot easier.
I was deeply moved by the people I met at KFI. They really changed my life. It all was a great experience for me and I consider myself very lucky for having the chance to get this experience.” top

Tim Nijzink

Camera operator

“It was nice to see people going from zero to handling a complex camera. They came from no experience but are now capable of doing small TV programs. After working in Africa for many years, it is very nice to see people grow. top

Pieter Visser

Camera operator

“It was an intense period working with the youth both mentally and physically but I loved it! It was wonderful to share my skills and knowledge with the students. We taught them difficult concepts but they understood them quite well. I hope it is a good start to their filming careers. It’s a shame we had to leave so soon!” top

Olav Maassen

Planner

“It was such a nice experience. I didn’t know what to expect. I now love the people. We shared a special bond. I hope I see them in 5 years and they all have a good job. The whole experience changed me as it was my first time in Africa.” top

Cees Vermeulen

Technician

“From a western world look, it is easy to just donate money to projects. It is far more valuable and rewarding to take part in the actual work. They are good people and deserve a hand “ top

Patricia van Huystee

Editor

“For me it was quite a challenge to transfer my knowledge of video-editing to the students. Luckily they where very patient with me and I hope I got them inspired to edit beautiful things. I’m very proud that they learned so much in such a short time. I wish them many years of editing; it’s the best job there is. For future teachers, I can only say go to KFI because it’s a very rewarding experience.” top

IDTV Trainers

Ilja Roomans,

Executive Producer

“Teaching documentary at KFI was a great experience. The students were very motivated and were improving every day. It was so nice to see that what we were teaching them, was immediately valuable to them in their daily practice. I think the students have accomplished a lot in these 1,5 or 2,5 years at KFI. I hope they will keep their motivation, enthusiasm and strength and that one day in the not so far away future they will be able to work in the field of film and TV.” top

Jan Peter Pallemans

Producer

“During the period in which we produced the first Lingo-episode in Swahili, I was overwhelmed by the enthousiasm, the motivation and the talent of the students. I really believe they made the impossible come true: in just ten days the graduates and students of KFI created, produced, recorded and edited a very, very good and entertaining pilot episode of the first Lingo show in Swahili.
I really hope I will be able to come back more to the Kilimanjaro Film Institute and share my knowledge with the graduates and students, because I really believe the future of Tanzanian Film and Television lives and works at KFI.” top

Linda Kramer

Producer

I was really moved by what the students accomplished, by their perseverance and hope! We can learn from them if in these things. These students are going to be the first Tanzanian television makers and I feel privileged that I was able to help them to come one step closer to fulfilling their dreams! Thanks KFI and all the students for this fantastic experience and I would really love to come back one day! top

Former Medeva Trainers

Miriam Nasieku

Producer

“The first thing that blew me away about the students in KFI was their genuine warmth and thirst to learn . It was fantastic training them in story telling, because i actually learnt a whole lot too!. The students are going to change the face of the media industry in Tanzania… am sure of that!” top

Lucas Mwanthi

Producer

“The wealth of talent and passion of the students in KFI made the training an amazing experience for me. I hope they become the best in this field.” top

The Trainers from The Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU)

Marlieke Kasten

Motion Graphic Designer.

“From the very first day at KFI I was very welcomed by the students and staff. Now as the teacher called “Malaika” I will exchange my knowledge about design the best as I can. I hope this will help them be successful as (motion) graphic designers in their future lives.” top

Melanie Ponsioen

Art Manager

• Age: 25

“Mambo!
I live in a big city in Holland. I have been in Tanzania at KFI for a few weeks now. I love KFI. Everyone is friendly and open. KFI is a family that is eager to learn and to work hard. I am learning a lot from them! I am excited to see the students of the third year grow into a success. I am sure that they will be amazing. I would like to thank KFI for making me feel at home!” top

Jip Jager

Media Manager

“Habari! Jina langu ni Jip (means, How are you? My name is Jip, in Swahili :). I am a Dutch student from the Utrecht school of the Arts. I am working at the
Kilimanjaro Film Institute for a period of 3 months, teaching the students and helping them with their film productions. I have never met such friendly people as these Tanzanian students, eager to learn and enthusiastic about their films! My study is focused on media management and I hope I can transfer a little bit of that
knowledge to these lovely people! Badae!” top

Evelyne Adeyinka

HKU Student
“In 2009 it was very first time i came to KFI. It was real good to be here,
because the students were very motivated to learn about film, especial documentary. fan enough, when we were teaching the students about film making, it was real nice to hang out with them. I have learnt a lot from them and I am now once again back I am very happy to be at the instituistion in 2010” top

Colinda Bongers

HKU Student

“These students are going to change Arusha into ‘Aruwood’ and they will conquer the world with their films! The drive, the talent and the passion of the students are endless. I loved teaching at KFI, it was a great inspiration. May life be smiling upon them and the KFI tree always blossom.” top

Thijs Bazelmans

HKU student

“It was a great experience to become part of the KFI family. I had a lot of fun working with very talented and creative people. I hope they will keep enjoying making kick-ass work, and will truly become the first generation of “real” Tanzanian Film-makers. Full Mzuka! top (Tanzanian slang for super cool)
Utrecht School of the Arts or Hoogeschool Voor De Kunsten Utrecht (HKU)” top