Screenings and Discussion: Homage-Willie Owusu, Apr. 16 2011 @ Goethe


Date: April 16, 2011
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 4pm
Entry: Free

Goethe Institut continues with its series of retrospectives on Kenyan filmmakers. This month they feature the works of Willie Owusu.

Willie Owusu has been at the heart of creative boom in the Nairobi scene. Behind the scenes he has made a name for himself for a highly creative approach to film and video and as a founding partner in the production company Big Ideas. His specialty is the short but excellently produced formats: films such as Me First that got an award at the famous Oberhausen Short film Festival/Germany, and music videos, commercials and documentaries.

As usual in this series, G.I. will screen a representative selection of his corpus of work and will accompany the screenings with a discussion with the filmmaker.

Discussion: Media and Diverse Politics in Kenya, Apr. 13 2011 @ Goethe

Date: April 13, 2011
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 6-9pm
Entry: Free

Without doubt, political temperatures are rising as the elite jostle for power, and political heat is likely to rise all the way to the 2012 elections. Oblivious of what the electorate really want, our politicians have started beating the drums, and the stage is being set in earnest for a drama that will keep us in sweat and tears. Citizens look up to the media for unbiased information and interpretation of the political events in the country.

Are citizens’ expectations of the media unrealistic and misguided? How should the media manage the process of reporting political wrangles without driving the country into an early election mood; without sidelining other important stories in the country? This open discussion forum will bring together media scholars, journalists and political scientists to explore the role in media.

This discourse is organized by Twaweza Communications in collaboration with Ford Foundation.

TEDx Cinema Nairobi: Apr. 9 2011 @ Westgate

Free, Saturday 9th April 2011, 10am (for 10.30)-12noon, Silverbird Cinema, Westgate Mall, Nairobi

This event is a forum to spark creative engagement between like-minded people. A place where we can challenge our fundamental beliefs and explore new ways of thinking.

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

Out of Town/Public Lecture: Making the Pitch, Apr. 14 2011 @ Sarova Whitesands Mombasa


Date: April, 14 2011
Venue: Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa
Time: 5.30-7.30pm
Entry: by invitation
For an invitation contact: charity. wali@britishcouncil.or.ke, Tel: 0722 612 511/0720 594 433

Topic: Making the pitch-Presenting yourself & pitching your work
Speakers: Victoria Locklin and David Muriithi

Target audience: Young Professionals/entrepreneurs in-advertising, art & antique markets, broadcasting, crafts, design/fashion, film, video & photography, software, computer games & electronics publishing, music & the visual performing arts/theatre, publishing, graphic design, development sector, management consulting and beauty & cosmetics

Download Mombasa Public lecture poster

Public Lecture: Making the Pitch, Apr. 13 2011 @ Sarova Stanley


Date: April, 13 2011
Venue: Sarova Stanley
Time: 5.30-7.30pm
Entry: by invitation
For an invitation contact: charity. elizabeth.sadimba@britishcouncil.or.ke, Tel: 020 283 6228, 0722 205 335/0734 600 266
Deadline for confirmation: April 10, 2011

Topic: Making the pitch-presenting yourself & pitching your work
Speakers: Victoria Locklin and Jimmi Gathu

Target audience: Young Professionals/entrepreneurs in-advertising, art & antique markets, broadcasting, crafts, design/fashion, film, video & photography, software, computer games & electronics publishing, music & the visual performing arts/theatre, publishing, graphic design, development sector, management consulting and beauty & cosmetics

Download Nairobi Public lecture poster

Exhibition: The Hadaf International Somalia Cartoon Exhibition, Apr. 2-30 2011 @ The GoDown Arts Centre


The Association of East African Cartoonists (KATUNI) wishes to invite you to the launch of the HADAF International Somalia Cartoon Exhibition.

Opening: April 2, 2011
Venue: The GoDown Arts Centre
Location: Dunga Road, Industrial Area
Time: 2-5pm
Entry: Free
Exhibition Runs: April 2-30, 2011
Open: Monday-Saturday
Time: 9am-5pm

H.E. Mohamed Ali Nur, Ambassador of the Somali Republic will be the Guest of Honour and will officially launch the exhibition.

During the launch, an expert panel will discuss the theme: The search for peace in Somalia: Achievements and Challenges and take questions from the audience.
A short documentary filmed in Mogadishu will also be screened.

Respond to the Facebook Event

Seminar: Slum Upgrading Projects in Nairobi, Apr. 6-7 2011 @ Alliance

The French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nairobi) is conducting a seminar on Slum Upgrading Projects in Nairobi focusing on the challenges in programme implementation.

Dates: April 6-7, 2011

Venue: Alliance Française

Time: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Entrance is by prior registration: publications@ifra-nairobi.net

New slum estimates show that currently almost a billion urban dwellers in the world are living in slum conditions. The French Institut for Research in Africa, which has been involved in research projects on informal settlements in East African cities for many years now, presents this conference that brings together key stakeholders involved in slum upgrading projects as well as representatives of associations in Kambi Moto and Korogocho where slum upgrading projects have been carried out. Research papers as well as practical examples, putting forward theoretical frameworks and methodological tools will be shared with the participants.

Programme summary:

* The conference will be opened by His Excellency the Ambassador of France Etienne de Poncins
* What does Slum Upgrading mean?
* KENSUP and KISIP: Overview, comparisons and discussions
* Huruma upgrading project (Kambi Moto, Mahira and Githaturu) the bottom-up approach
* Debate on the issue of the securisation of land tenure in slum upgrading project
* Research findings on informal settlements in Nairobi
* Korogocho upgrading project, the socio-economic profile approach
* The infrastructure approach: the Bio-centres in Mukuru, Korogocho and Kibera
* Lessons and Recommendations

More information on IFRA-Nairobi

Screening & Discussions: 45th Lola Kenya Screen Film Forum, Mar. 28 2011 @ Goethe

Lola Kenya Screen invites you to the 45th monthly film forum that holds at Goethe-Institut Library Lounge.

Date: March 28, 2011
Venue: Goethe Institut Library Lounge
Time: 6pm
Entry: Free

This is an evening that is aimed to entertain as well as give stakeholders in the audiovisual sector to exchange ideas as well as comment on short productions from East Africa; the forum shall screen two short dramas by versatile filmmakers within the Kenyan audiovisual sector.

SALOME and ROSE PETALS are short dramas that reflect the day to day life of the common Kenyan citizen. They address various issues including the collective spirit of a society depicted in the films.
Allan Aligula together with the crew and cast that worked on the productions will join the audience to field questions pertinent to the films as well as share their ideologies about filmmaking.

Lola Kenya Screen monthly film forum is the initiative of ComMattersKenya/Artmatters.info in conjunction with Goethe-Institut.

Women, Action & the Media (WAM Nairobi), Mar. 20-22 2011 @ Various Locations


UPDATE:
Women Action and the Media (WAM) Nairobi is calling all creative women to join them on:

Dates: March 20-22, 2011
Entrance: RSVP
Schedule, Locations, and Times (final details)

HAPPY HOUR
Date: March 20, 2011
Time:6pm – onwards
Venue: Wasanii: The African Place
Location: Harry Thuku Road, just five minutes from the CBD, between the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and across from The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel.

Join WAM-Nairobi for happy hour(s) at Wasanii: The African Place, a restaurant/pub above the Kenya National Theatre.
Take a chance to participate in a low-key social gathering and networking opportunity with other WAM attendees and presenters.
Discounts on some drinks will be available for WAM participants (check in with WAM-Nairobi first for your discount ticket!).

GETTING WOMEN AND GIRLS ON THE FRONT PAGE
Date: March 21, 2011
Time: 1-4pm
Venue: Nairobi Java House — downtown, Koinange Street

This workshop is aimed at helping organizations better tailor their media pitches to improve the amount – and quality – of media coverage of womens’ and girls’ issues.
If you’re participating in Spot Pitch, or even if not but you want to workshop your own idea, come on by and work with WAM Nairobi coaches.
This is a drop-in workshop; come when you can and stay as long as you want.

MY AFRICA, YOUR AFRICA
Date: March 21, 2011
Time: 6-7pm
Venue: Goethe-Institut library, Maendeleo House,
Location: At the corner of Loita and Monrovia streets, directions

This is the first of two evening panels looking at how journalists from Africa and abroad represent the continent and its women, and how we can do better.
Panelists are:
Helen Nyambura-Mwaura, Reuters
Carolyn Dunn, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Karen Rothmyer, public editor of at The Star (Kenya) and contributing editor to The Nation (US).

AT THE SOURCE: RAISING LOCAL VOICES ACROSS MEDIA
Date: March 21, 2011
Time: 7-8pm
Venue: Goethe-Institut library, Maendeleo House
Location: At the corner of Loita and Monrovia streets, directions

In the second of the two evening panels, citizen journalists, literary artists, and social media experts describe breaking new ground for news and information in Kenya.
Panelists are:
Rebecca Wanjiku, blogger/journalist and staff at Ushahidi
Rachel Gichinga, co-founder, Kuweni Serious
Angela Wachuku, executive director, Kwani Trust

WOMEN’S VOICES IN A MAN’S WORLD
Date: March 22, 2011
Time: 6-7pm
Venue: Goethe-Institut library, Maendeleo House
Location: at the corner of Loita and Monrovia streets, directions

In the first of the evening sessions, journalists and other media-makers will discuss dealing with gender gaps, glass ceilings, and other perils of being female in the media world.
Panelists are:
Rosemary Okello Orlale, executive director, African Woman and Child Feature Service /International Women’s Media Foundation
Jane Thuo, executive director, Association of Media Women in Kenya
Sarah McGregor, Bloomberg News & Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa

THE SPOT PITCH: WINNING COVERAGE FOR WOMEN & GIRLS IN 120 SECONDS
Date: March 22, 2011
Time: 7-8pm
Venue: Goethe-Institut library, Maendeleo House
Location: at the corner of Loita and Monrovia streets, directions

In the second of the evening series, ten advocates and activists will get 2 minutes each to sell the audience on their most irresistible story about the issues facing women and girls — and will get real-time feedback from working journalists.
Attendees who aren’t pitching themselves will have the chance to learn by observation about the most effective tactics for working with the media. If you want to apply to be one of the ten people who gets to pitch a roomful ofinterested media professionals, click here to learn more.

SPECIAL NOTICE
Please take Nairobi’s rush hour traffic into consideration when you plan your travel to WAM events, so that we are able to start on time.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BRING WITH THEM
Questions and ideas, willingness to engage, sense of humor, business cards and note-taking materials, if you are the note-taking type.
Mind you can tag along friends and colleagues who are also interested in these issues.

It is worth emphasizing that not only are brilliant people presenting at the WAM sessions, but we have extraordinary people joining us as participants — journalists, lawyers, students, bloggers, humanitarians, public relations professionals, and many others.
The time you take to connect with fellow attendees will be well-rewarded.

For questions, more information or RSVP (which they are still accepting), Email: wamnairobi@gmail.com

WAM-Nairobi is part of a global conversation on the intersection of women and gender, all unfolding the same week. Look to the main WAM office for more information and details about the WAM events happening in New York, Vancouver, and elsewhere; womenactionmedia