University of Nairobi’s Journey Uncharted Wins Best Documentary at Filamu International Student Film Festival
On April 30, 2025, the Journey Uncharted team from the University of Nairobi shone brightly at the 5th Filamu International Student Film Festival, hosted at Multimedia University. The team had submitted two compelling documentaries ,Hope in the Dumps and Grogon Garage for consideration. Both were shortlisted and screened alongside other remarkable university students productions such as The Mystery River, Dragon Fruit, Narco Incorporated, and Initiator. But Hope in the Dumps stood out, earning the prestigious title of Best Documentary of the Year.
Produced and edited by third-year journalism student Annastacia Kiragu, the documentary offers a deeply moving exploration of life within the Dandora dumpsite. It captures the harsh realities faced by residents living in one of Nairobi’s largest waste disposal areas, yet brings to light the strength, hope, and humanity that thrive amidst adversity.
Annastacia, reflecting on the experience, said, “Hope in the Dumps stood out because it reflected the experience, livelihood, and resilience of the community in the dumpsite from young to old. It’s simply a story of hope in despair.” Her passion for using storytelling as a tool for social impact was evident in every frame.
Assistant producer and scriptwriter Tyberius Barasa echoed this sentiment, stating, “The episode won because the message was clear. The story displayed a real struggle. We even struggled shooting it since it was in the midst of the Dandora dumpsite. But that rawness made it authentic.”
Sarah Cindy, who handled research and reporting alongside Whitney Lubidu and Nelius Wangu, added, “Super happy is an understatement. The work we put into it was so invested. The sound was good,the editing was well done , it had human interest, it intrigued emotions and the documentary deserved to win.”
Behind the scenes, Robert Otiebo worked as the camera person, while John Gavin and Georgina Mwikali brought the visuals and sound to life. The intro graphics were created by John Chacha, adding a polished opening to the powerful narrative.
The documentary was praised not only for its emotional storytelling but also for its technical finesse from the smooth cinematography to the impactful sound design and thoughtful editing. The team went beyond just filming a story; they immersed themselves in the lives of their subjects, building trust and capturing voices that are often unheard. Their work is a shining example of what happens when journalism, empathy, and creativity converge.
This victory is a celebration of bold storytelling, a recognition of student excellence, and a powerful reminder that the voices from the margins matter. It shows the University of Nairobi’s growing footprint in media and film, and sets a new standard for student productions in Kenya and beyond. As the Journey Uncharted team looks ahead, their win is not the end, but the beginning of a bigger journey, one that promises to keep telling real, raw, and revolutionary stories.
