After making its world premiere at the the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles, Sarah, a new feature film by SAFE (Sponsored Arts for Education) Kenya, is set for its Kenyan release on 6 March 2025 at Prestige Cinema.
Directed by Nick Reding who also co-produces alongside Sarah Tenoi and Amos Leuka, the coming-of-age story captures the complexities of family, tradition and gender rights within the Maa community.
Inspired by 18 years of work by SAFE Maa – the Maasai-led branch – Sarah tells the story of a young Maasai girl (played by Namurru Sarara) facing the life-altering decision of whether to follow traditional rites or pursue her education. Through deeply personal storytelling and a cast of first-time actors, the film sheds light on the evolving conversations around FGC (Female Genital Cutting), early marriage, and the fight for girls’ rights.
While Sarah is a work of fiction, it is a deeply personal project, based on the lived experiences of women in the Loita Hills, the remote Maasai community where the film is set.
“Working with first-time actors requires tailoring characters and stories to their individual strengths, allowing them to tell their true stories,” says director Reding. “We wanted to create a narrative that not only captures the injustice and suffering caused by FGC but also empowers young women to resist the tradition and mobilizes the entire community toward total abandonment.”
“Bringing Sarah to Kenyan audiences is the most important thing,” Reding adds. “The story is rooted in the lived experiences of our creative team, and we are eager to share it with the people it was made for.”
Sarah is executive produced by Wanuri Kahiu, the first Kenyan project she’s been involved in since her groundbreaking film Rafiki, which remains banned in Kenya. Recently, Kahiu was selected as juror for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, alongside Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya and Cannes Critics’ Week artistic director Ava Cahen.
Previously, SAFE has produced films like Ndoto Za Elibidi, Ni Sisi and Watatu, all available to stream on Netflix.
