Tanzania / 2022 / 16mins / Documentary / Swahili

Apostles of Cinema (or Tenzi za Sinema) follows Frank, DJ Black, and Rehema—three devoted film workers in Tanzania—as they reintroduce a classic piece of the country’s film history to their audiences of working-class cinephiles. We join them, alongside Maangamizi: The Ancient One (2001), on a journey through the labyrinth of informal libraries, studios, and cinemas that exist to keep film and film culture alive. A testament to the profound cultural value of film when made truly accessible.

Cece Mlay

Cece Mlay is a passionate storyteller who has brought stories to life on a number of projects that seek to tackle social, political, and historical issues in Tanzania. Cece is a member of the collective Ajabu Ajabu.

Ajabu Ajabu is a collective of audio-visual practitioners based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania working on the preservation, production, and presentation of audio-visual art. Their work is centred around curatorial interrogations related to deconstructing bias across film cultures, platforming underrepresented narratives, and promoting amateur and experimental modes of storytelling practice. Apostles of Cinema was directed and produced by Ajabu Ajabu & friends. Learn More

Jesse Gerard Mpango

Jesse Gerard Mpango is a storyteller from Kasulu, Tanzania, currently working as a writer and curator in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He is a founding member of Ajabu Ajabu.

Ajabu Ajabu is a collective of audio-visual practitioners based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania working on the preservation, production, and presentation of audio-visual art. Their work is centred around curatorial interrogations related to deconstructing bias across film cultures, platforming underrepresented narratives, and promoting amateur and experimental modes of storytelling practice. Apostles of Cinema was directed and produced by Ajabu Ajabu & friends. Learn More

Gertrude Malizana

Gertrude Malizana is a creative filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist devoted to telling stories as a means of documenting, archiving, and preserving the lived histories of women. She is a founding member of Ajabu Ajabu.

Ajabu Ajabu is a collective of audio-visual practitioners based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania working on the preservation, production, and presentation of audio-visual art. Their work is centred around curatorial interrogations related to deconstructing bias across film cultures, platforming underrepresented narratives, and promoting amateur and experimental modes of storytelling practice. Apostles of Cinema was directed and produced by Ajabu Ajabu & friends. Learn More

Darragh Amelia

Darragh Amelia is an audio-visual practitioner whose work in/around cinema tends to informally examine informal modes of memory-keeping. She is a founding member of Ajabu Ajabu.

Ajabu Ajabu is a collective of audio-visual practitioners based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania working on the preservation, production, and presentation of audio-visual art. Their work is centred around curatorial interrogations related to deconstructing bias across film cultures, platforming underrepresented narratives, and promoting amateur and experimental modes of storytelling practice. Apostles of Cinema was directed and produced by Ajabu Ajabu & friends. Learn More