46 East Africans receive Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund

Netflix has today announced the East Africa recipients of the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) providing financial support to African creatives to access quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines.

The scholarship fund for sub-Saharan students is part of Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 with the goal of developing a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world. 

The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund celebrated the inaugural cohort of 46 beneficiaries from five East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan) at a ceremony held at Nairobi’s KCA University. 

Meet the 46 Beneficiaries:

1. Recipients for Certificate in Film Studies include: from Kenya – Victor Odhiambo Tindi, Saidi Mohamed Mujibu, Pauline Wanjiru Mwangi, Mwavaga Shadrine Lumonye, Bobson Fadhili Mwamburi, Simon Njogu Wacira, Felix Otieno Odhiambo, Derrick Bosire, Dorcas Kelly Katunge, Teresia Wanjiru Mbugua, Kelvin Mbuvi Ngatta, Clinton Aguma, Martha Muthoni Mutiso and Jeffither Murimi Kariuki. 
2. Recipients for Certificate in Film & Television include: from Kenya – Martin Toroi Walucho and Steve Gitau Ng’ang’a. 
3. Recipients in Film Production include: Cynthia Wanjiku Muniu, Fortune Wise Chege and Augustine Ondera Alfred from South Sudan.
4. Recipients in Diploma in Film & Television Production include: from Kenya – Denis Musungu, Memusa Christopher Lesikito, Nyokabi Gitonga Jackline, Jonathan Efwaine Anyange, Lucky Wanja Wangari, Ebenyo William Eloto, Solomon Ewoi Emuria and Jerry Mokua Sakwa. Yvan King Mukunzi from Rwanda, Belone Irakoze from Burundi, Joyce Isaac Cleto Alimu from South Sudan and Amisha Janat Mukasa.

What the beneficiaries get to enjoy:

All the beneficiaries are eligible to receive a  full scholarship which includes – tuition, accommodation, living stipend and education supplies.

The inaugural cohort of awardees have enrolled for certificate, diploma and degree courses as follows: 19 have enrolled in certificate programs, 22 in diploma programs and 5 in degree programs. Furthermore, the largest group of beneficiaries are between the ages of 18-25 years.

What Netflix Scholarship beneficiaries said:

• Emmanuel Wanyonyi, KU – “My peers and I are very honoured to be a beneficiary of the 2022 cohort of the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund. It has very much kept alive our passion and interest in the film industry. It has renewed our energy to keep on presenting ideas and creating stories as we need them to be heard. The program experience is currently great; learning, motivating and inspiring each other. Coming together to create something from our own imaginations, experiences, lessons and thanks to Netflix we will be creating amazing stories. A big thank you to the entire team.”
• Mwajuma Bahati, KCA – “Being part of Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund is a major plus for me given that I am active in the creative sector and film industry in particular. One needs to add value other than just being a talent and education is one of those things that further the talent you have. I feel Netflix is doing a brilliant job. When some of us started out, there were barely any opportunities like these and this scholarship is such a powerful tool to venture in the industry equipped with the right skills, clear direction and knowledge.”
• Cynthia Muniu, KFS – “The opportunity with Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund is such an honour – words cannot express my exact feelings. It feels good to be part of a new family in nurturing my film career. Netflix has come through to help me nurture my passion and talent which I intend to share with the world. I  am grateful for this chance they have given me. As the youth, we are seeing the growth and evolution of the industry when it comes to techniques and stories and Netflix investment in the youth is one standout nurturing opportunity, we won’t disappoint!”
• Charles Muasa, USIU – “I’m very grateful for being an awardee for the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund. As a matter of fact, before this I had never come across any scholarships for filmmakers, especially in the arts. When Netflix presented this opportunity for Kenya and East Africa, it was a great stride towards the right direction because most film students don’t have anywhere they could get assistance with fees in pursuing film. Netflix coming through for the youth is a great win. We are now getting the knowledge on how to bring stories to life.” 
• Jerry Mokua, ADMI –  “Before I got the scholarship, I really wanted to study and the fees structure was unmanageable. I kept on trying to look into all ways of getting the fees. As this year started, I set out my goals and started studying online at ADMI with a dream that I could physically attend school. When the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund came through, it was an answered prayer and a dream come true. It is really awesome and the program is amazing. They cater to our fees, accommodation and we even get a stipend. The opportunity is the best one could get and it’s now our mandate to study and make the best out of it.”

The program is currently being administered by HEVA Fund in partnership with Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI); Kenya Film School (KFS); KCA University; Kenyatta University and United States International University Africa (USIU). The five institutions of higher learning in Kenya will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.

The ‘Class of 2022 Roll Call’ event served as an informal ceremony to bring together students, partner institutions and key stakeholders together to celebrate the scholarship’s recipients and the program at large. In attendance were various government agency representatives, the CEO of the Kenya Film Commission Timothy Owase, Pascal Opiyo – AG, Chief Manager Corporate Services at KFCB; Mrs Emily Njeru – Deputy Director at Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and Eugene Mbugua – founder and Managing dIRECTOR OF young Rich Television Limited. Also present at the event were members of the partner institutions including Dr. Rachel Diang’a, Chair of the department of cinematic arts in USIU; Mr. Kelvin Ogutu, Deputy Principal and Head of Academics in ADMI; Mr. Victor Ouma, Head of Academics in KFS; Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, Vice Chancellor and CEO of KCA University and Dr. Beneah Shapaya, Lecturer at the Department of Communications, Media, Film and Theatre Studies in Kenyatta University.