Yakwetu


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Mark Dinn


Where the River Divides’ now streaming on MyMovies.AfricaTM

Based on a true story, from 1979 Kenya in Thimlich Ohinga, Migori County, ‘Where the River Divides’ premiered on Friday 11th August 2023, at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then, on Tuesday 15th August 2023, the Film premiered in Nairobi, at Anga Cinemas, Diamond Plaza 2 in Parklands, to rave Reviews!

This gripping tale, set against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Thimlich Ohinga, is a compelling narrative that delves deep into themes of truth, faith, fear, family, sacrifices, betrayal, culture and responsibilities.

“This is such a beautiful Film, from Kenya’s history. And we are very proud to be Distributing it globally, as well as making it available on our own Video On Demand service – MyMovies.AfricaTM,” says Co-Founder, Content Director & Chief Executive Officer of YAKWETUTM – Trushna Buddhdev-Patel.

Set in a tight-knit village, ‘Where The River Divides’ follows the compelling journey of a young man, the son of a respected clan leader.

Upon his return to the village, following his baptism, he finds himself at a crossroads – torn between two divergent paths.

On one hand, he stands to inherit his father’s esteemed legacy – a role laden with expectations, traditions and responsibilities.

On the other, he is faced with the allure of a newfound purpose that beckons him towards an uncertain destiny – one that demands great courage and could put his life at risk.

“’Where The River Divides’ is more than a Film; it’s an emotional journey that urges us to contemplate the choices that define our existence. It’s a testament to the power of compassion and understanding, even in the face of monumental challenges,” says Matrid Nyagah, one of the film’s Producers, at Fearless Films.

Originally filmed in Dholuo, “Where The River Divides” has also been meticulously dubbed into both Kiswahili and English, ensuring that its profound narrative can be appreciated by a diverse global audience. This decision aligns with the film’s overarching message of unity and shared human experiences, transcending linguistic boundaries.

“For me, ‘Where the River Divides’ is ultimately about sacrifice. What am I willing to sacrifice to follow the call that God has placed on my life? Dennis’ story has challenged and inspired me.

“Also, I am so humbled and proud to work with such an incredibly talented and passionate group of artists to tell this story,” says M.D. Neely – the film’s Director, from American-based Christ In Youth (CIY).

As such, ‘Where The River Divides’ has simultaneously Premiered online, and is available in all 195 countries & territories globally, exclusively via Digital Cinema Extension – MyMovies.AfricaTM (https://app.mymovies.africa).

Source: https://businessnow.co.ke/where-the-river-divides-now-streaming-on-mymovies-africatm/


Where the River Divides’ now streaming on MyMovies.AfricaTM


How the premiere of ‘Where The River Divides’ went down

An enchanting evening unfolded at Anga Cinemas, Diamond Plaza 2 in Parklands, as Where the River Divides premiere took center stage on Tuesday, August 15.

This cinematic masterpiece, set against the mesmerizing backdrop of Thimlich Ohinga, envelops audiences in a captivating narrative that delves into profound themes of truth, faith, fear, family, sacrifices, betrayal, culture, and responsibilities.

<img src="https://nnmedia.nation.africa/uploads/2023/08/EAM0405whatsonb.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Kenya’s Thimlich Ohinga put on the World Heritage List
Credit: Fred Oluoch
</figcaption>

Enveloped within the close-knit embrace of a village, Where the River Divides unravels the intricate journey of a young man, son to a revered clan leader.

Returning to the village after his baptism, he finds himself at a crucial crossroads, torn between divergent paths.

One path leads him towards the mantle of his father’s esteemed legacy, a role steeped in expectations, traditions, and responsibilities.

The other beckons him to embrace a newfound purpose that demands unwavering courage and could thrust his life into uncertainty.

<img src="https://nnmedia.nation.africa/uploads/2023/08/BuzzWhereTheRiverD4.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Guests enjoy the exclusive Premiere of the “Where The River Divides” movie at Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza 2, Parklands, Nairobi on August 16, 2023. WILFRED NYANGARESI|NATION
</figcaption>

Filmed in its original language, Dholuo, Where the River Divides has been meticulously dubbed into both Kiswahili and English, ensuring that its profound narrative can resonate with a diverse global audience.

Commenting on the significance of the film, Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co-Founder, Content Director & Chief Executive Officer of Ya Kwetu, expressed, “This is such a beautiful film from Kenya’s history. And we are very proud to be distributing it globally and making it available on our Video On Demand service – MyMovies.Africa.”

“The film serves as a testament to the power of compassion and understanding, even amidst monumental challenges,” shared Matrid Nyagah, one of the film’s producers at Fearless Films.

The director M.D. Neely, representing American-based Christ In Youth (CIY), offered his perspective, stating, “For me, Where the River Divides is ultimately about sacrifice. What am I willing to sacrifice to follow the call that God has placed on my life? Dennis’ story has challenged and inspired me. Also, I am so humbled and proud to work with such an incredibly talented and passionate group of artists to tell this story.”


Check out the photos:
<img src="https://nnmedia.nation.africa/uploads/2023/08/BuzzWhereTheRiverDivi.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Fridah Okello, Wanjiru Karing’u, and Yvonne Wachira during the exclusive “Where The River Divides” movie premiere at Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza 2, Parklands, Nairobi on August 16, 2023. WILFRED NYANGARESI|NATION
</figcaption>

<img src="https://nnmedia.nation.africa/uploads/2023/08/BuzzWhereTheRiverD2.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Some of the film crew of “Where The River Divides” movie during its Premiere at Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza 2, Parklands, Nairobi on August 16, 2023. WILFRED NYANGARESI|NATION
</figcaption>

<img src="https://nnmedia.nation.africa/uploads/2023/08/BuzzWhereTheRiverD3.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Jodi Jubi, Matthew Ngugi and Scola Thitai pose for a photo during the exclusive Premiere of the“Where The River Divides” movie at Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza 2, Parklands, Nairobi on August 16, 2023. WILFRED NYANGARESI|NATION
</figcaption>


Source: https://nairobinews.nation.africa/photos-how-the-premiere-of-where-the-river-divides-went-down/





<figcaption>YAKWETU co-founder and chief operations officer Mike Strano at the 2023 WIPO Awards in Geneva. </figcaption>

Kenyan entertainment technology start-up YAKWETU Online Limited has today been honoured as one of the seven winners of the 2023 WIPO Global Awards, at the 64th General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Now in its second year, the WIPO Global Awards recognises small and  medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from around the globe, that are successfully commercialising their IP-backed innovation and creativity in an exceptional manner, that also improves society.

YAKWETU emerged as one of the seven winners from 548 submissions and 25 finalists – from 16 countries and industries like creative, food, green technology, health, and more.

“YAKWETU in Kiswahili means both ‘Of Us’ and ‘For Us’.  We chose this Name, because it Articulates our Purpose of Making Available digital Content for Entertainment & Education – from Africans, to Africans; while Protecting it from its greatest Threat – Piracy, and Monetising it Equitably for the Creators,” YAKWETU co-founder and chief operations officer Mike Strano said. “We are deeply honoured to be the first African company, and first from the Creative Industry globally, to receive this Award from WIPO.

“I would like to thank the thousands of Customers on our first service, MyMovies.Africa, in The Motherland and her diaspora, our content creators and partners for believing in us, our very talented and dedicated Staff, our generous board of advisors and directors and my co-founder  Trushna Buddhdev-Patel.  To you all I say Ubuntu – We are, because You are.  Asanteni sana.”

<img src="https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/global_awards_ceremony20230711-845.jpg"/>


<figcaption>
WIPO Director General Daren Tang (center left) with representatives of the winners of the 2023 WIPO Global Awards, at a ceremony held during the July 6-14 Assemblies of WIPO Member States.
</figcaption>

This announcement follows an October 2021 recognition, when YAKWETU was one of five (from over 200) applicants admitted to the second cohort in Kenya of the Next INnovation with JApan (NINJA) Accelerator; which concluded with the Launch of their Fundraising in January 2022.

WIPO Global Award winners will receive a customised 1:1 mentoring package to  bolster their IP strategies, including funding facilitation, partnership opportunities and publicity support.

More about YAKWETU

Meaning both “Of Us” and “For Us” in Kiswahili (the most popular African language), YAKWETU is an entertainment technology company that’s innovatively disrupting the 95-99% Piracy-dominated distribution channel of digital content in Kenya, with plans for the rest of Africa and other developing Countries.

Its proprietary online home entertainment and edutainment system has taken proactive measures to protect and monetise the Intellectual Property (IP) of its content partners.

Released on 26th September 2019, their Poof-of-Concept is MyMovies.Africa, as a mobile-first digital cinema extension, offering securely encrypted original movies from Africa (i.e. neew releases, classics, features, shorts, animations, documentaries, etc) on smart devices, across Africa and the diaspora, in 195 countries.

MyMovies.Africa™ features Premium Video On Demand – PVOD

(#RentFor2Days) for New Releases, Transactional Video On Demand – TVOD

(#RentFor7Days), Electronic Sell Through – EST (#OwnForLife) purchase and

Watch Parties via ZOOM, all Accessed here.

YAKWETU is adapting this proprietary technology to securely Retail other Digital Content from Africa, while also modernising existing Value Chains.

More information here: https://media.yakwetu.africa and https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f2X6AyKblObb6p0QAbLZm0tpAFUbOI7o/view


YAKWETU named first-ever winner from Africa at WIPO Global Awards 

Showing posts from society--culture category

Where the River Divides’ now streaming on MyMovies.AfricaTM

Where the River Divides’ now streaming on MyMovies.AfricaTM

YAKWETU named first-ever winner from Africa at WIPO Global Awards