FILMMAKING FOR IMPACT: CANON ACADEMY VIDEO X SEMA WORKSHOPS

Canon Academy Video, in collaboration with SEMA, recently delivered a series of filmmaking workshops across four Kenyan cities under the Stories from Our Cities initiative, including Eldoret, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Mombasa. The goal of the programme was to build practical filmmaking skills among emerging creatives while increasing access to quality, hands-on training outside Nairobi. The workshops were designed for aspiring filmmakers, content creators, students, and young professionals who are passionate about visual storytelling and want to develop industry-relevant skills using professional equipment.

SEMA is a creative outfit founded by Canon Certified Trainer, wildlife photographer, and professional filmmaker, Fredrich Ochieng. The collaboration with SEMA was driven by their strong grassroots presence and deep connections within local creative communities across Kenya. Their ability to mobilize participants in different regions made it possible to reach creative talent in multiple cities and ensure strong participation in each location. This local engagement played a key role in bringing training opportunities directly to communities where access to professional filmmaking education is often limited.

Participants received hands-on training covering key aspects of filmmaking, including the fundamentals of cinematography and camera handling, visual storytelling and shot composition, lighting techniques for video, sound basics, production workflow, practical shooting exercises using Canon Cinema equipment, and editing. The sessions were structured to balance technical instruction with practical application, allowing participants to immediately test what they learned through guided shooting activities.

Across the four cities, between 20 and 25 creatives participated in each workshop, with strong turnout in every location. Key outcomes included improved technical confidence in using professional cameras, a stronger understanding of storytelling for film and video, and the creation of short practice films and exercises. The workshops also helped increase awareness and adoption of Canon equipment within local creative communities.

The collaboration also featured a demo day for semi-professional and professional creatives to experience hands-on sessions with the Canon Cinema line-up, bringing an opportunity that would typically take place in Nairobi directly to participants in these cities and communities.
For many participants, the impact went beyond technical skills. As one participant shared, “I’ve always had ideas but didn’t know how to translate them visually. This workshop gave me the confidence to finally start telling my stories professionally.”

Looking ahead, the next phase of the collaboration aims to deepen and scale the programme through advanced filmmaking workshops, follow-up masterclasses for past participants, and more regional activations to reach new counties.

There are also plans to create clearer pathways from training into real production opportunities, helping participants continue building practical experience beyond the classroom.