Private Project

Wof Zerash Coffee

Wof Zerash means wild, or not planted by humans; it also means sown by birds. 
 
Logline:
The original, wild Arabica coffee forests of Ethiopia are under threat from climate change. Local farmers and scientists identify strategies to combat this imminent crisis in a bid to maintain these ancient, wild coffee forests for the benefit of future generations and the global coffee industry.

Synopsis:
The never-before-told story of Arabica coffee is told in a documentary that pulls no punches about the danger of the climate crisis to the future of coffee itself. It is authoritative and topical, with expert scientific analysis and personal accounts from Ethiopian coffee farmers, beekeepers, and winners of the prestigious Cup of Excellence. We propose strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, and examine methods to ensure the continued quality and supply of Arabica coffee from Ethiopia.
Climate change and the relentless increase in global warming pose a threat to coffee's entire future as a species.
• Annual crop yields may drop by 50% due to a lack of bees.
• Are you willing to pay £40 or more for a cup of coffee? 
Birthplace of coffee
The Kafa region of Ethiopia is a rugged, mile-high plateau that has existed for over two thousand years in virtual isolation. Through a combination of climate, rainfall, and geography, Kafa is home to many unique species of animals and plants, including Arabica coffee, which grows wild in the forest under a canopy of trees.
Ethiopian Arabica coffee is important.
More than five million farmers grow the majority of Ethiopia's coffee on smallholdings and family compounds. It is generally considered to be the finest coffee in the world, with explosive flavours and unmatched floral and fruity notes.
Climate change poses an existential threat.
The Arabica tree is a highly sensitive plant and will not thrive outside a limited range of altitude and temperature. Since the 1960s, the mean annual temperature in Ethiopia has risen by 1.3°C, and the increase is accelerating. According to the senior research leader of crops and global change at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, an increase of one degree affects the taste of coffee, two degrees will affect production, and three degrees may put the plants’ very survival in jeopardy.
Fighting climate change
The key to improving Arabica’s flavours, yield, and resistance to disease and climatic change lies in the untapped rich genetic diversity of wild Arabica coffee still to be found in Ethiopia. 
The forests of Kafa are Arabica coffee's past, present, and future. 

____________________________
Director/Integrated/Co-Producer
Sylwia Pecio
Production Company
Pic Tree
Executive Producer
Anteneh Mulu 
Cameras
Roger Gold
Benyam Gulilat
Sylwia Pecio

Drone
Roger Gold
Benyam Gulilat
Sound Recordist
Ananyay Hailu
Editor
Ben Harris
&
Pic Tree
Composers
K&K, Kaethe Hostetter, and Kenny Allen
Sound designer
Kenny Allen
Copywriter
Paul Sullivan
Voice-over artist
Alanna Leslie
Point cloud animator
Tomasz Runowicz
Photography 
SP
2nd AC
Benyam Gulilat
Boom operator
Benyam Gulilat
Fixer
Bereket Kochito
Amhara font design
Ingo Zimmermann

Special thanks to communities, farmers, beekeepers, ecologists, and scientists in Bonga, Jimma, and Keramo. Stay assured that our love, appreciation, and care are deep and everlasting.
Thanks
Paul Sullivan
Prof. Sebsebe Demissew
Mesfin Tekle
Solomon Tekle
Dr. Taye Kufa
Dr. Girma Hailemichael
Doc. Yitebitu Moges
Tamiru Tadesse
Nigussie Gemeda
Prof. John Altringham
Jimma Agriculture Research Centre
Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research, Bonga University
Bonga University
Tatmara Coffee Farm
We appreciate everyone who contributed any amount of money to the Wof Zearsh Coffee postproduction. Special thanks to Hazel Slavin, Ant Collins, and Tamiru Tadesse.

  • Sylwia Pecio
    Director
    Tesfa
  • Sylwia Pecio
    Writer
    Tesfa
  • Sylwia Pecio
    Producer
    Tesfa
  • Anteneh Mulu
    Producer
  • Anteneh Mulu
    Executive Producer
  • Sylwia Pecio
    Camera
    Tesfa, Spare, Blue Bird
  • Ananiya Hailu
    Sound Recordist
  • Ben Z Harris
    Editor
  • Kaethe Hostetter
    Composers
  • Kenny Allen
    Composers
  • Kenny Allen
    Sound designer
  • Paul Sullivan
    Copywriter
  • Alanna Leslie
    Voice-over artist
  • Tomasz Runowicz
    Point cloud animator
  • Beniyam Gulilat
    Boom operator
  • Bereket Kochito
    Fixer
  • Rodgers Gold
    Drone operatror
  • Beniyam Gulilat
    Drone operatror
  • Ingo Zimmermann
    Amhara font design
  • Prof Sebsebe Demissew
    Key Cast
    "Botanist & Professor of Biodiversity and Plant Taxonomy"
  • Woldegiorgis Shawo
    Key Cast
    "Forest Coffee Farmer"
  • Dr Taye Kufa
    Key Cast
    "Lead Researcher Coffee Systems Agronomist Jimma Agriculture Research Center"
  • Dr Girma Hailemichael Gebre
    Key Cast
    "Horticultural Researcher Jimma Agriculture Research Center"
  • Sossina Kassa
    Key Cast
    "Lecturer Department of Natural Resource Management Bonga University"
  • Emukerma Yimer
    Key Cast
    "Horticulture Student Bonga University"
  • Ashagre Wubetu
    Key Cast
    "Energy Consultant on Commercial Biogas"
  • Niguse Gemeda Mude
    Key Cast
    "Cup of exxcelence winner Keramo community Coffee Farm Owner"
  • Tamiru Tadesse Tesema
    Key Cast
    " Speciality Coffee Cup of excelence winner Exporter Sidamo Region"
  • Negussiee Tadess
    Key Cast
    "Semi-Forest Coffee Farm owner"
  • Rogers Gold
    Director of Photography
  • Benjam Gulilat
    Director of Photography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 8, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    80,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Ethiopia
  • Language:
    Amharic, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic RAW, DJMavic, Sony
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • British Urban Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 20, 2024
    UK Premier
    https://richmix.org.uk/cinema/family-ties-stories-of-earth/
Director Biography - Sylwia Pecio

Sylwia, a multi-talented artist of Polish descent, thrives at the intersection of art and storytelling. Her background is a blend of visual arts honed at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and digital filmmaking expertise acquired at Ravensbourne University in London. This duality translates into a career that seamlessly blends art direction and photography for publications and businesses like The Warsaw Business Journal, Biznes Warszawski, and Gala, with the creation of documentaries like "Wof Zerash Coffee."

But Sylwia's artistic journey extends far beyond traditional settings. A ten-year stint in East Africa, collaborating with NGOs, UN agencies, and local clients, nurtured a deep understanding of multicultural environments and development work. Her clientele during this period boasts names like Coca Cola, Save the Children, DFID UK, and Pastoralist Associations.

This global perspective fuels her artistic approach. Whether wielding a camera or directing a film, Sylwia possesses an instinctive ability to craft captivating stories. Her experiences across continents have instilled in her a love for storytelling that matters, a passion reflected in her work with diverse teams, from Ethiopian crews to Jamaican-British narrators, all brought together to tell powerful stories with a global resonance. Currently based in London, Sylwia embraces opportunities to work globally, forever a citizen of the world with a camera and a story to tell.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Title:
Wof Zerash Coffee: A Story Brewed in Collaboration

The original, wild Arabica coffee forests of Ethiopia are under threat from climate change. Local farmers and scientists identify strategies to combat this imminent crisis in a bid to maintain these ancient, wild coffee forests for the benefit of future generations and the global coffee industry.

Ethiopia's Gift to the World: Ethiopian Arabica Coffee is cash in the bank for the future coffee industry.

Wof Zerash, meaning "wild" or "sown by birds," captures the essence of Ethiopian Arabica coffee: a gift both untamed and threatened. This documentary isn't just about a beverage; it's a fight for the future. The climate crisis looms, jeopardising not only coffee's existence but the very fabric of Ethiopian society. It is authoritative and topical, with expert scientific analysis and personal accounts from Ethiopian coffee farmers, beekeepers, and winners of the prestigious Cup of Excellence. We propose strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, and examine methods to ensure the continued quality and supply of Arabica coffee from Ethiopia.

A Tapestry of Voices

Our film is a testament to the power of diverse perspectives. Each crew member brought a distinct flavour, from the spark that a Polish filmmaker ignited to the Jamaican-British narration. On camera, we meet Ethiopians who view coffee as family, a societal bond, and a crucial weapon against climate change. Their stories are interwoven with scientific research, highlighting the fundamental role of Ethiopian Arabica's polyculture for the future of the coffee industry globally.

A Global Team, a Local Heart

Our team itself reflects the rich blend of Wof Zerash. Thai, European, African, and North American professionals worked alongside a largely Ethiopian crew. We all came together thanks to a first-time executive producer with unwavering vision. Accessibility was paramount – the film caters to viewers with neuro-disabilities, mirroring the rich tapestry of Ethiopian society we portray.

A Journey, a Never-Told Story, or Arabica Coffee Origin

This wasn't just a production; it was a heartfelt journey. Deep connections fueled the project. Personal ties to Ethiopia, shared by myself, the copywriter, and the executive producer, shaped our lens and allowed us to leverage trusted networks. The film is dedicated to a cherished member of our coffee community, whose legacy of environmental protection lives on.

The original, wild Arabica coffee forests of Ethiopia are under threat from climate change. Local farmers and scientists identify strategies to combat this imminent crisis in a bid to maintain these ancient, wild coffee forests for the benefit of future generations and the global coffee industry.

A Ten-Year Dream Realised

The past three years have been a project of love. Securing funding was a struggle, yet a ten-year friendship with our participants kept the fire burning. This film is the culmination of dedication, shared expertise, and a burning desire to tell a story waiting to be heard.