Kenya / 2025 / 15mins / Drama / Swahili

IRON FIST follows Wangari, a young, shy, Kenyan woman working as a dishwasher in a Nairobi restaurant. Struggling to support her son, KK, and her parents back home, Wangari endures harsh treatment and exploitation under her supervisor, Martin, who withholds fair pay and makes unwanted advances toward her. One evening, after a particularly tense confrontation, she flees into the dark streets of Nairobi, where fear and vulnerability consume her—until she stumbles into a dimly lit boxing gym.
There, she meets Mzee, an aging former fighter who recognizes her quiet strength and offers to train her in self-defense. As Wangari learns the art of boxing, she begins to rebuild her sense of self-worth and physical strength, finding both an outlet for her past trauma and the courage to stand tall in her daily life.
Empowered by her training, Wangari confronts both her personal fears and her reality. She applies for a better-paying job, determined to secure a brighter future for herself and KK. When confronted by a shadowy figure on the street, echoing her past trauma, Wangari stands her ground—this time, unafraid. With fists clenched and her stance unwavering, she reclaims her power, showing that she is no longer a victim but a fighter, ready to face the future with courage and dignity.
Iron Fist is a powerful story of survival, healing, and the quiet strength of a woman who refuses to be broken.

Kagure Kabue

Kagure Kabue is a Kenyan filmmaker whose work challenges conventional narratives about African stories, favoring complex, human-centered storytelling. Hailing from a country better known for its runners than its filmmakers, Kagure grew up immersed in the art-house music videos of retro MTV, which sparked her desire to tell bold, emotionally rich stories of her own. She left Kenya to study at the prestigious School of Cinema at San Francisco State University, where she developed a distinct artistic voice. Her talent was recognized with a Humanitas nomination in screenwriting, and she went on to write her first feature screenplay, The Tree, which was selected for the Screenwriting Program at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. Kagure’s body of work includes The Simple Things (Director), which screened at the Davis Feminist Film Festival, and the award-winning documentary We Were Hyphy (Story editor), which explores the Bay Area’s hyphy movement. Her latest film, Iron Fist, has just begun its festival run and is already receiving acclaim. The Golden Script Competition praised it, stating, "Iron Fist deserves the attention and praise it receives."
She is currently developing Murder in the Parish, a one-hour murder mystery drama and the feature length version of her award winning screenplay, Who We Are. Learn More