Meet Kemiyondo Coutinho, The Filmmaker Who Has Raised Funding For 5 More Female Filmmakers

An outspoken personality with a ton of influence and a passion for film, Kemiyondo Coutinho is paving the way for other filmmakers in Uganda. Everybody needs a chance, right? Well, she thinks so, therefore she started a fundraising campaign dubbed FiveFor5 Fund, which is first of all fun to say (seriously, repeat quickly it five times over) but also a chance for 5 female filmmakers in Uganda to get funding to make 5 minute short films.

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Some || a phrase coined by someone who knew that they deserved “some of the cake” and was going to ask for it too. • I’ve started an initiative to bring five Ugandan Female Filmmakers behind the camera. I believe that narratives are disrupted from behind the camera and that can’t happen until we support our future female filmmakers. I need your help. I don’t have all the money but I have SOME. I know I need SOME more. The SOME you have. Because if we all just gave SOME. Then SOME differences can be made. Nawe, also you, some 🙏🏾 Link in bio.

A post shared by Kemiyondo (@kemi_yondo) on Nov 4, 2019 at 8:00pm PST

You may know her from her prior projects, including a film called “Kyenvu” or the “A Ka Dope” events. She is clearly passionate about the arts, and prefers not to eat alone.

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GWE || directly translated as You. Mostly used by me in a state of elation. The beginning of my sentences when I have some hot tea to share. Gwe! We have greenlit THREE short films on Fivefor5 fund. I truly am so grateful to everyone who has supported this initiative. Most of you know first hand how hard this industry can be and that you would make it a little easier for Five Female Filmmakers truly warms my cracked open heart!! Two more to go! LINK IN BIO. ALSO, you can buy this T-shirt and it also comes in a pillow and mug from @boldinafrica and 20% of those funds will go to #fivefor5

A post shared by Kemiyondo (@kemi_yondo) on Nov 20, 2019 at 10:32am PST

She started the campaign earlier in November, and as she announced in an Instagram post today, she had reached her goal on the fundraiser. She wanted to contribute $25,000 to 5 filmmakers, of which $19,000 was to come from the indiegogo fundraising page, $4000 from local contributions and $2000 as her own contribution to the project.

Well the indiegogo fund garnered $20,200 which means for those lucky filmmakers, the bag has been secured and they can move with the fierceness towards their goals. We definitely need more quality entertainment that stems from this country, and the fact that women in film have been given this chance to advance just fills our hearts with excitement! The future of film is female, and we have no option but to stan. Move over Wakaliwood!

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KWATA, directly translated as hold, take. Used by me as “Here take this” • Ugandan Female Filmmakers! We reached our goal!! KWATA this opportunity and apply. Details on @kemistry_klass . This photo has nothing to do with anything. I just like my side boob.

A post shared by Kemiyondo (@kemi_yondo) on Dec 10, 2019 at 2:49pm PST

So those aspiring filmmakers/writers out there, apply for the opportunity to share your art, it needs to be seen! Also I just finished the last season of Grownish and need something to watch so….

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Ugandan Women! Apply! Apply! Apply! Tag 3 writer/directors who should apply!

A post shared by Kemistry Klass (@kemistry_klass) on Dec 10, 2019 at 1:53pm PST

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