The Brutal Truth About the Kenyan Film Industry | Likarion Wainaina

From dropping out of high school to directing Kenya’s 91st Academy Awards submission (Supa Modo), filmmaker Likarion Wainaina has mastered the art of raw African storytelling. In this exclusive sit-down at The Wine and Bottle (Nyeri), Likarion pulls back the curtain on the actual business of cinema. He opens up about surviving early career struggles, editing weddings to learn cinematography, and why it took 15 years of industry grind to finally secure a film grant. He also shares the deeply personal trauma that inspired his psychological mystery thriller, Anam's Wake—from processing immense grief to exploring the bizarre world of professional African mourners. Whether you're an aspiring actor, director, or fan of Kenyan creatives, this deep dive into show business is a must-watch! 🔗 Follow Likarion’s work & production updates: https://likarionwainaina.com EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction & The Aesthetics of Nyeri 03:07 - Dropping Out of Form 2 & Self-Taught Filmmaking 07:10 - Learning the Craft: From River Road to Weddings 10:45 - The Importance of Delusion for Artists 14:55 - How One Short Film Met the Matrix Directors (Sense8) 17:20 - Screenwriting Rules: The Holy Dream vs. Practical Dream 20:04 - Surviving 15 Years in Cinema Before Getting a Grant 21:32 - Overcoming Introversion & The Stage Persona 24:02 - Reinvesting into Kibanda Pictures (Sci-Fi & Genre Films) 30:04 - Winning 72 Awards Worldwide with Supa Modo 46:33 - The True Story Behind Anam's Wake (Processing Grief) 49:46 - Inside the Secret World of Professional Mourners 01:03:54 - Shooting an Entire Feature Film in 11.5 Days! 01:09:46 - Why Background Extras Get Paid 1,000 Bob (Budget Realities) 01:16:02 - Elephant in the Room: Why We See the "Same Old Faces" 01:20:14 - What Kenyan Filmmakers are Finally Getting Right 01:24:41 - Next Project Teaser: Returning to African Sci-Fi! #JamboNairobi #LikarionWainaina #AnamsWake #SupaModo #KenyanFilm #AfricanCinema #FilmmakingTips #KenyanCreatives #Nyeri