IMARA

Samuel Mwangi, a young professional Kenyan cyclist, is faced with the challenge of undertaking his career with one leg after the other one got amputated as a result of a tragic crash he encountered during the Tour du Rwanda 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. However impossible it seems, Samuel keeps his dream alive to become a world cycling champion as he also seeks to inspire a new generation of dream chasers among people living with disability. Currently he is aiming at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo Japan.

  • Samuel Wanjohi
    Director
    Born This Way, Visible
  • Samuel Wanjohi
    Writer
    Born This Way, Visible
  • Nicholas Wambugu
    Producer
  • Maurice Murage
    Cinematographer
    Born This Way, Visible
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Sport, Drama, Disability
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 30, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Kenya
  • Country of Filming:
    Kenya, Rwanda
  • Language:
    English, Swahili
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • My RODE Reel Short Film COmpetition

    Australia
    'Best Documentary' Finalist
  • Focus On Ability Short Film Festival

    Australia
    Finalist
  • TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 13, 2017
    Digital Premiere
  • Kalasha International Film Festival
    Nairobi
    Kenya
    November 23, 2017
  • International Cycling Film Festival (ICFF)
    Herne
    Germany
    October 21, 2017
  • Sports Film Festival
    Palermo
    Italy
    December 13, 2017
  • Tehran International Sports Film Festival
    Tehran
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Filmed By Bike Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    May 7, 2018
  • Zanzibar International Film Festival
    Zanzibar
    Tanzania, United Republic of
    July 9, 2018
  • Riverwood Academy Awards 2018
    Nairobi
    Kenya
    September 15, 2018
    Winner - 'Best Documentary'
  • Montreal Black Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 28, 2018
    Canadian Premiere
  • Kenya International Sports Film Festival
    Nairobi
    Kenya
    November 21, 2018
    Best Short Documentary
Director Biography - Samuel Wanjohi

Samuel Wanjohi is a young and passionate award-winning Kenyan filmmaker based in Nairobi. He began his journey at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication where he undertook a film course, and overtime, he has built a career out of it by being involved in numerous film projects in Kenya and abroad, under various capacities. His works have gone ahead to receive recognition in local and international festivals and competitions such as the prestigious Kenya Kalasha International Film & TV Awards and Zanzibar International Film Festival, just to name a few. His award-winning shorts include Born This Way (2016), Imara (2017), The Last Egg (2016) an experimental short film, Visible (2016) and Mission (2016), which he produced. Currently, Samuel works with Capital FM, a top media house in Nairobi plus he is also working on various projects solely under his production company.

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Director Statement

Having met Samuel a few months back while he was passionately racing in Rwanda, it was intriguing to me when I learnt that he was back on the bike even after breaking one of his legs during the race. From there, I personally longed to watch such a story on screen and that’s basically how and why I decided to embark on this project. The entire filming process was thought-provoking to me. Listening to Samuel tell of his ordeal and express his perspective changed how I view life and situations - and I hope that this film will have a similar effect to everyone who comes across it.