The documentary ‘Kikuyu Land’, co‑directed by journalist Bea Wangondu and Emmy‑winner Andrew H. Brown, will open its Kenyan run during the NBO Film Festival, which runs from 15 to 25 October.

During the festival the film will be shown at three locations: Prestige Cinemas, Kaloleni Social Hall and Unseen Nairobi, with additional extended screenings planned at Unseen Nairobi after the festival closes.

The festival’s theme this year, “Cinema For Us”, aligns with the filmmakers’ aim to bring a locally rooted story to Kenyan audiences.

Background on the film’s subject

‘Kikuyu Land’ follows a land claimant in Kenya’s tea‑growing highlands as he seeks redress for land taken from his family, tracing a broader history of colonial dispossession.

The National Lands Commission has recorded 3,665 claims relating to historical land injustices, underscoring the relevance of the film’s focus.

Land remains a contentious and costly issue in Kenya, affecting both acquisition and restitution efforts for many households.

Filmmaker’s expectations for Kenyan audiences

Wangondu hopes the film will prompt introspection and conversation about land repatriation, accountability in public resource management and personal histories tied to colonial legacies.

She also expects varied interpretations, noting that cinema’s beauty lies in audiences drawing different meanings from the same story.