Internationally Known, Film producer, Professor and the writer, Haile Gerimas

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa  ·

Haile Gerima, an Ethiopian-born and U.S.-educated filmmaker, has dedicated his career to creating and distributing films outside the traditional studio system. He gained recognition for his narrative works such as Bush Mama (1979), Ashes and Embers (1982), and Sankofa (1993). In 1996, Gerima established the Sankofa Video and Bookstore in Washington, D.C., a cultural and intellectual hub offering opportunities for self-expression, interaction, discussion, and analysis through community events. Gerima continues to distribute and promote his films, including his most recent festival success, Teza (2008), which earned the Jury and Best Screenplay awards at the Venice Film Festival. Additionally, he lectures and conducts workshops on alternative screenwriting and directing both in the United States and internationally.