Jaboya (2026)
I am the Cinematographer and Producer of Jaboya, a 28-minute short film shot in Kisumu, Kenya, near Lake Victoria and within the local fishing community. This is a first film that examines the Jaboya system, in which Luo women have been sexually exploited by men in exchange for access to fish. This practice emerged as fish stocks declined because of overfishing, environmental pollution, and climate change. The community’s everyday life and economic survival remain deeply connected to the number of fish available in the lake.
The film was shot primarily in long takes and created in close collaboration with the local community. We filmed in the real homes of fishing families, working with local actors and residents to portray the community and its traditions authentically. The project was developed in partnership with Film Festival Safari Africa, which supported us in securing location permissions and connecting with local actors.
Several large-scale scenes feature more than 100 local extras wearing authentic traditional clothing. We are also collaborating with Kenyan singer, songwriter, composer and actress Ati Sanna (Ati Denise Sanna), known as the Queen of Nyatiti. She specialises in the traditional music of the Luo people of western Kenya and is recognised for playing the nyatiti, a traditional eight-stringed lyre. In addition to appearing in the film, she composed several original songs for the project.
