The people behind the pictures
Slate Safi
Our story
Slate Safi started in 2019 as three people, one camera package and a stubborn belief: that the reason Kenyan features rarely travelled was not talent, it was infrastructure — financing, delivery standards and credits that international partners recognise.
We built the company backwards from that problem. Every production runs to international delivery spec. Every department carries a trainee who leaves with a named credit. Every film is budgeted assuming a festival run and a foreign sale, not hoping for one.
Boda Love, our 2024 debut, screened in Durban, Nairobi and London. Kibera Hustle, in post-production now, is our most ambitious production to date.
Mission
Make the films East Africa is already good enough to make — and get them seen everywhere.
- 94
- Crew on our last production
- 86%
- Kenyan hires
- 5
- Markets we distribute into
- 11
- Trainees credited to date
Crew
The team behind Kibera Hustle
Janet Wells
Executive Producer / Writer / Director
Ryan Dembroski
Head of Production & Creative Director
Apolline Umuhire
Production Manager
Carolyne Nyambura
Assistant Production Manager
Kevin Kevanga
First Assistant Director
Marvin Mugha
Second Assistant Director
Rose Mutunga
Script Coordinator
Eric Gichanga
Director of Photography
Philip Gitau
First Assistant Camera
Elkanah Mugo
Second Assistant Camera
Job Githaka
2nd Camera / Drone Pilot
Sarah Karanja
Camera Runner
Ken Gichuhi
Digital Imaging Technician
Ronnie Mugambi
Sound
TBC
Assistant Sound
Greg Kiwo
Lighting & Grips
TBC
Assistant Lighting & Grips
Harrison Mutinda (Tish)
Art Department
TBC
Assistant Art Department
Michael Nzioki
Wardrobe
Caroline Maina
Wardrobe
Fredrick Mwaniki
SFX & Make Up
Serah Kimotho
Assistant SFX & Make Up
Dutch Mugambi
Location
Mickey
Stunts Coordinator
George Macharia
Transport Manager
TBC
Transport
Maureen
Set Medic
Meals Moto
Caterer
Oliver Otieno
Caterer
Reach
Five markets, one production base
Kenya
Production base, Nairobi. Full in-house crew and equipment relationships.
Wider Africa
Festival and broadcast partners across East and Southern Africa.
United Kingdom
London EP desk, post facility partnership and sales representation.
Canada
Toronto co-production and diaspora distribution partners.
United States
US festival strategy and streaming acquisition conversations.
Selections & awards
- Best DocumentaryCannes World Film Festival2021
- Best DocumentaryChicago Indie Film Awards2021
- Best CinematographyEuropean Cinematography Awards2021
- Award for the Advancement of SportInternational Olympic Committee
- Best SoundtrackAfrica Movie Academy Awards2024
- Best FilmMombasa International Film Festival2024
- Best ActorMombasa International Film Festival2024
- Best DirectorMombasa International Film Festival2024
- Best ScreenplayMombasa International Film Festival2024
- Best FilmKitale Film Week2025
- Best ScreenplayKitale Film Week2025
Press
“A love story with an engine in it — Slate Safi shoot Nairobi with the confidence of a studio three times their size.”
“One of the most assured East African debuts in years.”
“Kenyan cinema's most exportable new voice.”