Africa: A Kung Fu Story

This documentary beautifully narrates the journey of a group of professionals—including stunt performers, fight directors, cinematographers, and writers—who travelled to Tanzania to impart filmmaking skills to a school of young Shaolin martial artists.

As these aspiring artists learn to create action sequences and develop narratives, the filmmakers capture their inspiring evolution into East Africa's first action movie stars. The film is a compelling exploration of passion, culture, and ambition.

  • Eric Mazimpaka
    Director
  • Arnold Cifax Jr
    Film Music Composer
  • Arnold Cifax Jr
    Producer
  • Mark Hemstock
    Producer
  • Stanton Chong
    Producer
  • Nicki Lochmatter
    Producer
  • Patrick Henderson
    Producer
  • Patrick Henderson
    Writer
  • Mark Hemstock
    Cinematagropher
  • Dan Ginnane
    Fight Choreographer
  • Stanton Chong
    Fight Director
  • Eric Mazimpaka
    Interviewer
  • Justin Aucoin
    Post Audio Production
  • Mark Hemstock
    Editor
  • Saidi Mfaume
    Kung Fu Master
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 19 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 11, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Eric Mazimpaka

Hailing from Nairobi, Kenya, and nurtured in the embrace of Uganda and Rwanda, Eric Mazimpaka's journey led him from refugee life to the cinematic horizons of Sweden and later Victoria, B.C. Fueled by his fascination with Capoeira and Kung Fu films, he delved into the realm of film during lunch breaks with Video Arts in grade 11, where he wove martial arts scenes with music. Eric's martial arts dedication and cinematic zeal led to his debut in "Wayward Pines" (Fox, 2015), a launchpad into a successful career as a stuntman and actor in Vancouver, contributing to notable series like "Arrow," "The Flash," and "Supergirl."

Eric's seasoned expertise soon kindled his desire to create. His inaugural Afro-Kung Fu short, "Boy in the Canopy" (2019), showcased his unique vision, followed by the ambitious documentary "Africa: A Kung Fu Story" (2024). The documentary chronicles the transformative journey of Master Mfaume and his disciples at Tanzania's Shaolin Temple, participating in a three-day film workshop to refine their storytelling and action design skills.

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