Twenty-three-year-old Mary Wanjiku Waweru has always known what she has wanted, which is why she studied Theatre Arts and Film Studies. Today, she works as a video editor. “I aspire to become an animator. There are very few animators and more so women animators, not just in Kenya but in Africa. I hope to become one of the greatest,” she says, which is why she enrolled in MTF.
As a film studies graduate, Mary understands the importance of research in filmmaking, “It is just as important in film as in other fields. There are untold stories about African heroes that can only be told through research and interaction with people from different communities,” she says.
Mary is energised by Africa’s diverse heritage, countless languages, cultures and traditions, which lend themselves to these stories. Some of her favourite films – Sarafina, The Colour Purple, Forest Gump and Hotel Rwanda – narrate fascinating stories that unfold through thorough research and the yearning to understand human nature. She admires actors Lupita Nyong’o and Brian Ogola, who help to narrate these stories to audiences.
“I love the direction that the local film industry is heading towards, we have seen an improvement in the quality of television and film content, however more still needs to be done to ensure it is of global standard,” she says. Mary believes that building strong connections with other creatives from across Africa and gaining theoretical knowledge and practical skills will help her, and others, become better filmmakers.