One Fine Day Films

One Fine Day Films Logo

ONE FINE DAY FILMS was an alternative production company founded in 2008 by German film director Tom Tykwer and Marie Steinmann.

The initial idea behind the ONE FINE DAY FILM Project was to give African filmmakers an opportunity to write and produce their own stories and, under the mentorship of experienced filmmakers, reach an international audience on the big cinematic screen. Until 2020 ONE FINE DAY FILMS and their Nairobi-based partner GINGER INK successfully produced and co-produced eight feature films.

In cooperation with DW AKADEMIE, ONE FINE DAY FILMS trained over 1000 filmmakers from 21 African countries within their workshops in all departments of the moviemaking process.

​All films continue to be represented by Rushlake Media for commercial screening requests and The Festival Agency for festival screenings.

OFDF Movies

sira movie poster
berlinale panorama 2023
berlinale panorama 2023

Sira (2023)

Director: Apolline Traore
Producer: Les Films Selmon, Araucania Films, Sunuy Films, One Fine Day Films
Writer: Apolline Traore
Cinematographer: Nicolas Berteyac
Editor: Silvie Gadmer
Original Music: Cyril Morin

Sira, a young Fulani nomad, can hardly wait. She and her family are travelling to meet her groom. Sira is a strong and self-confident woman, her Muslim father trusts his daughter and has therefore agreed to a marriage between her and her childhood sweetheart Jean Sidi, a Christian. But on the way the family is attacked by Islamist terrorists, and the men are shot in cold blood. Cursing the attackers for their deed, Sira is kidnapped and raped – and left alone in the middle of the desert to face what would appear to be certain death. But Sira is a fighter and full of the will to live. She manages to make her way to where the terrorist camp is located and hides in a nearby cave where she holds out, undiscovered for months, planning her next steps. Apolline Traoré's film is set in the Sahel, a lawless war zone ruled by the men who have the most weapons, pick-up trucks and mobile phones. It tells the gripping story of a struggle for survival in which the female veil becomes an instrument of resistance, in a film that represents a feminist counterpoint to current reporting from the region.

Lusala Movie Poster
nbo 3 Film Festival
nbo 3 Film Festival
IFF Rotterdam
IFF Rotterdam

Lusala (2019)

Director: Mugambi Nthiga
Writer: Silas Miami, Wanjeri Gakuru, Oprah Oyugi
Cinematographer: Emma Nzioka
Production Designer: Natasha Khanyola
Editor: Kevin Wang'ombe
Original Music: Eric Wainaina, Rushab Nadha, Mbogua Mbugua Mbugua
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Lusala, a young man rescued from his abusive upcountry home, moves in with an affluent Nairobi family. Years later, when he comes of age, he is imposed upon to leave the nest and start out life on his own. Eager and acquiescent at first, he makes the most of his new life, until the demons from his past return, and he is forced to face them alone.

Supa modo movie poster
berlinale 68 generation special mention
berlinale 68 generation special mention
Toronto Film Festival Kids 2018
Toronto Film Festival Kids 2018
Winner Schlingel 2018
Winner Schlingel 2018
Winner ECFA Award 2018
Winner ECFA Award 2018
Gewinner Score Wicki and AOK Filmpreis 2018 Emden Norderney
Gewinner Score Wicki and AOK Filmpreis 2018 Emden Norderney
Best Film For Children ZLIN FF 2018
Best Film For Children ZLIN FF 2018
Winner artistic bravery Durban 2018
Winner artistic bravery Durban 2018

Supa Modo (2018)

Director: Likarion Wainaina
Writer: Mugambi Nthiga, Silas Miami, Wanjeri Gakuru, Kamua Wandungu
Cinematographer: Enos Olik
Production Designer: Neha Manoj Shah
Editor: Charity Kuria
Original Music: Sean Peevers
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Arri Media, Goehde Foundation

Jo, a witty 9-year old terminally ill girl is taken back to her rural village to live out the rest of her short life. Her only comfort during these dull times are her dreams of being a Superhero, which prove to be something her rebellious teenage sister Mwix, overprotective mother Kathryn and the entire village of Maweni think they can fulfill.

Kati Kati Movie Poster
Toronto Film Festival
Toronto Film Festival
Film Africa RAS
Film Africa RAS
AFI
AFI
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
FIPRESCI TIFF 2016
FIPRESCI TIFF 2016
Best movie East Africa AMVCA 2017
Best movie East Africa AMVCA 2017
Winner CinemAfrica stockholm 2017
Winner CinemAfrica stockholm 2017
New Voices Award Special Mention Palm Springs 2017
New Voices Award Special Mention Palm Springs 2017
Winner Emerging Filmmaker MSPIFF 2017
Winner Emerging Filmmaker MSPIFF 2017

Kati Kati (2016)

Director: Mbithi Masya
Writer: Mbithi Masya, Mugambi Nthiga
Cinematographer: Andrew 'Dru' Mungai
Production Designer: Emmanuel Mrabu
Editor: Louizah Wanjiku
Original Music: Sean Peevers, Ibrahim Sidede, Just A Band
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Arri Media, Goehde Foundation

When Kaleche, a young amnesiac, wakes up in the middle of the wilderness, she has no idea how she got there. She makes her way to Kati Kati, a nearby lodge, where she meets a motley crew of residents under the leadership of Thoma. As Kaleche strikes up a quick and intense friendship with him, she discovers that there's a lot more to Thoma and the mysterious Kati Kati.

Veve Movie Poster
Internationales Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg
Internationales Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg
Durban International Film Festival
Durban International Film Festival
Filmfest Hamburg
Filmfest Hamburg
Best Local Language AMVCA 2015
Best Local Language Swahili AMVCA 2015

Veve (2014)

Director: Simon Mukali
Writer: Natasha Likimani
Cinematographer: Mayye Zayed, Shiv Mandavia
Production Designer: Ayako Bertolli
Editor: Roselidah Taabu Yogo
Original Music: Matthias Petsche
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Film- and Medienstiftung NRW, Goethe-Institute Nairobi, ARRI Film & TV Services

Set in the town of Maua (Kenya), VEVE is a slang word for what is internationally known as khat or miraa. VEVE follows the lives of multiple characters trying to find themselves in a world of political intrigue, revenge, love and longings for success complemented by the background of the thriving yet unregulated veve business. Amos, an ambitious politician, is running for another term as Maua MP whilst facing his opponent Wadu in the extension of his veve empire. His wife Esther discovers the true nature of his affairs and seeks solace in Kenzo, a conflicted young man out to seek vengeance for his father's death. Sammy, Amos' right hand man, has to choose between being loyal to his work and being a caring father to his 12-year-old son Kago. Maua´s Veve Farmers want to farm a union to force Amos to pay decent prices for their veve. Clint, a hedonistic wannabe documentary filmmaker meddles to far, blind of the dangers he is putting himself and others into. All are in search of purpose not knowing, that their destinies are entwined in more ways than they imagine.

Something Necessary Movie Poster
IFF Rotterdam
IFF Rotterdam
Toronto Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
37 Mostra sao paulo
37 Mostra sao paulo
Durban International Film Festival
Durban International Film Festival

Something Necessary (2013)

Director: Judy Kibinge
Writer: Mungai Kiroga & Jc Niala
Cinematographer: Yinka Edward
Production Designer: Naia Barrenechea
Editor: Justin Wachira
Original Music: Xaver von Treyer
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Film- and Medienstiftung NRW, Goethe-Institute Nairobi, ARRI Film & TV Services and Hubert Bals Fund

SOMETHING NECESSARY is a film about a pivotal period in the life of Anne, a woman struggling to rebuild her life after the civil unrest that swept Kenya following the 2007 elections, claiming the life of her husband, the health of her son and leaving her isolated farm in ruins. Joseph, a troubled young gang member who participated in the countrywide violence is drawn to Anne and her farm seemingly in search of redemption. Both he and Anne need something that only the other can give to allow them to shed the painful memories of their past and move on – but will either of them find it?

Nairobi Half Life Movie Poster
Busan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival
Dubai International Film Festival
Dubai International Film Festival
36 Mostra sao paolo
36 Mostra sao paolo
afi fest
afi fest
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
best picture Kalasha 2012
best picture Kalasha 2012
Audience award AFF_LA2012
Audience award AFF_LA2012
Best Actor Durban2012
Best Actor Durban2012

Nairobi Half Life (2012)

Director: Tosh Gitonga
Writer: Serah Mwihaki, Charles 'Potash' Matathia, Samuel Munene
Cinematographer: Christian Almesberger
Production Designer: Barbara Minishi
Editor: Mkaiwawi Mwakaba
Original Music: Xaver von Treyer
Supported by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Film- & Medienstiftung NRW, Goethe-Institute Nairobi, ARRI Film- & TV Services

A young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this and to the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi: the city of opportunity. He quickly understands why Nairobi is nicknamed Nairobbery as he is robbed of all his money and belongings and left alone in a city where he doesn't know a soul. Luck, or the lack of it, brings him face to face with two groups of downtown crooks and he forms a friendship with a young small time gang leader who takes him in. Drawn into a new world of theft and violence, he still tries to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Keeping the two worlds separate proves to be a contest for him as he struggles to survive in this unknown world called Nairobi.

Soul Boy Movie Poster
Berlinale
Berlinale
Goteborg Film festival
Goteborg Film festival
IFF Rotterdam
IFF Rotterdam
Signis Award Zanzibar Film Festival Tansania 2010
Signis Award Zanzibar Film Festival Tansania 2010
Audience Award RFF 2010
Audience Award RFF 2010
Best Lead Actor Kalasha Film Fest 2010
Best Lead Actor Kalasha Film Fest 2010

Soul Boy (2010)

Director: Hawa Essuman
Writer: Billy Kahora
Cinematographer: Christian Almesberger
Production Designer: Naima Mungai
Editor: Ng'ethe Gitungo
Original Music: Xaver von Treyer
Supported by: Goethe Institut Kenya, Hubert Bals Fund Rotterdam, Göteborg International Film Festival Fund, ARRI Film & TV Services, ARRI Rental

Nairobi, Kenya. 14 year-old Abila lives with his parents in Kibera, one of the largest slums in East Africa. One morning the teenager discovers his father ill and delirious. Someone has stolen his soul, mumbles the father as he sits huddled in a corner. Abila is shocked and confused but wants to help his father and goes in search of a suitable cure. Supported by his friend Shiku who is the same age as him, he learns that his father has gambled his soul away in the company of a spiritual woman. The teenager doesn't want to believe it and sets about looking for the witch. When he nally discovers her in the darkest corner of the ghetto, she gives him seven challenging tasks to save his father's lost soul. Abila embarks on an adventurous journey which leads him right through the microcosm of his home town.