The Team
BENSON MACHARIA GAKOBO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FTDT
As the Executive Director of the Film Talent Development Trust Benson bring over 13 years of extensive experience in program management, project coordination, and leadership. With a solid foundation in commerce and project management, his qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Makerere University and an MBA in Project Management from Mount Kenya University. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified expert and a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning specialist trained at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.
Through his work, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in fundraising, project execution, and large-scale budget management, enabling him to secure resources and successfully implement high-impact programs. His ILO certification as a business master trainer and coach further empowers him to design and lead capacity-building initiatives, ensuring the growth and development of talent in the film industry.
Throughout his career, he has managed complex projects with significant budgets, demonstrating his ability to lead, strategize, and deliver on ambitious goals. He has planned and organized numerous training workshops, working with diverse teams and stakeholders to enhance skills development in creative industries. His leadership skills and experience managing large teams have proven instrumental in driving growth and success for both the Film Talent Development Trust and the wider creative sector. He remains committed to empowering talent through structured training programs, fostering partnerships, and contributing to the development of Kenya's vibrant film industry.
Board of Trustees
PETER WACHIRA MUREITHI “HSC"
CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES FTDT
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/ACTOR
JAMES HENRY M. MACHARIA
VICE CHAIRMAN FTDT
PRODUCER/ACTOR
PHARES MWANGI BARINE
SECRETARY FTDT
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/ACTOR
Peter Wachira Mureithi is an accomplished film producer and director with over 20 years of experience. He is known for his innovative storytelling and creative vision. Peter is a skilled leader with excellent judgment, strong listening skills, and a deep understanding of business operations. He studied film production at Andrew Crawford Media Training School. The skills that he attained provided him with a strong foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking. Mr. Wachira is also an accomplished Aircraft Safety Equipment Technician from No.1 School of Technical Training, RAF – Halton, (Uk) (1987). Throughout his career, Mr. Wachira has worked on a diverse range of projects, including feature films and television series. His ability to bring compelling stories to life on screen has earned him critical acclaim and loyal following of fans. Some of his notable works include; Produced and directed “Maua” TV drama series -NTV (2003); 1st Assistant director Enough is enough, a Mau-Mau film (2004); Produced and directed “Waridi” TV drama series- Citizen TV (2008-2010); Directed “Enemy Within”, A military HIV/AIDS film (2012) and Produced Love 101 TV drama series- KTN (2013). He has received awards and nominations for his contributions to the film industry. He has won the Best Actor certificate award at the Mombasa trade fair, the Best Play “DR.TOM” certificate award, and has been nominated for the Best Director “WARIDI” award at the Riverwood Film Awards. He has also been recognized for his efforts towards sustainability and environmental protection, receiving the Head of State Commendation ("HSC") award.
James Henry Macharia is a film maker with vast experience in radio and television productions. He has worked with Kenya power and lighting company for over 30 years and was charged with the responsibility of supervising various media engagements with advertising agencies. Mr. Macharia has a Diploma in Production-(Radio) and trained in news production, media law and ethics, broadcasting, script writing, public relations communication research. He also has a diploma in sales and marketing management and trained in international business communication among other trainings. Notably, he was a lead actor in Maua TV Drama series, lead Actor- Mnazi Lane on KBC T.V lead actor in the TV drama series Waridi on Citizen Television; lead actor in Heart-Beat FM TV drama series on KBC TV for Population Services International (PSI) sponsored by DFID.
He was also a lead actor in Tabasamu drama series on Citizen TV. He also acted in State House, Undercover, Tahidi High and Njoro Wa Uba. Mr. Henry Macharia, worked at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) where he arranged and presented various radio shows eg. Request Time (Monday night), Down Memory Lane on Kenyan Beat and Country Road all on the English Service on KBC. He also hosted Uhondo wa Country on KBC Idhaa ya Taifa.
Phares Mwangi Barine is a seasoned dramatist and film maker who started his film making career in the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival (2012). A teacher by profession, Mr. Barine has over 10 years amassed considerable knowledge and skills in film-making experiences in schools, and later at the Department of Film Services (DFS) where he participated in scripting and directing the shooting and editing of over 20 documentaries. He has worked with secondary schools in Film production of films for the Kenya Drama Festival. He scripted, produced and directed 7 feature films and 4 short films/screen verses. He also Trained 150 youths in film making activities in Tharaka Nithi County and scripted, produced and short a film on Covid-19 titled 'Double Trouble', under the sponsorship of Kenya Film Commission, in 2020. Additionally, he worked as script writer, trainer, researcher and field director/leader at the Department of Film Services (DFS) - a government information-documenting department and took part in production of 20 documentaries and 1 drama. He has also acted in the Mau Mau films Enough Is Enough; Queen of the Thrown and a TV (Inooro T.V) drama, Get It Right.
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LEILA NYAWIRA SALIM – MEMBER FTDT
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ACTRESS
Leila Salim is an accomplished actress and assistant director focused on team building and talent development. She assisted in directing the Waridi TV series, script supervising the Maua TV series, and assisted in directing the Love 101 TV series. She has vast knowledge in Script supervising, continuity, artist make-up, assisting in directing, casting, and organizing the cast pre-production and during the shoots. Some of her notable works include; Asst Director Waridi Tv series - Maisha magic; Asst Director Love 101 TV series - KTN ; Asst director/lead actress Waridi Tv series citizen TV ; Script supervising/lead actress Maua Tv series, and Actress Asali Tv series KTN
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STANLEY MBURU KIMANI
MEMBER FTDT
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/ACTOR
ROSE MULI
MEMBER FTDT
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Rose Muli is an avid producer and director with a very rich wealth of experience in documentary productions for over a decade. She studied Film Theater and Arts at Kenyatta University. The skill set acquired have moulded her into a creative and top-notch film personality. She has worked on several documentaries and television series such as, Maisha ni health TV documentary (ministry of health), Debunking the myth (Kenya railways) , A day with a passenger (Kenya railways), KeRRA documentary, KURA documentary, and Freight with us (Kenya railways documentary). Her ability to bring educative and informative projects on screen has made her a one-stop professional.
Stanley Mburu Kimani is a skilled Producer/Director/Actor in the craft of motion picture, a story teller by nature with 27 years of experience ranging all the way from onset skills to filmmaking training. He holds a diploma in film and T.V Production here in Kenya and later a certificate from Nigeria film Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a trust member of Film Talent Development Trust, NAIROBI. Among his notable works he was a director in Maisha ni health, Ministry of Health /KTN - on universal Health coverage, worked as a trainer at Kenya Film School, acted in Country Queen on NETFLIX, Directed & Produced- MACHACHARI KIDS DRAMA. CITIZEN T.V, Acted NAIROBI HALF LIFE/GOETHE INSTITUT /NETFLIX, ASALI T.V DRAMA KTN; TAUSI, A local T.V Drama on K.B.C among other notable productions.
GADSON KAMAU WAWERU
TREASURER FTDT
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Gadson Kamau Waweru holds a wide range of skills in handling and directing use of filming equipment. He has vast experience in production of feature and documentary films. He has participated in the production of the Mau Mau feature film Enough Is Enough as Director of Photography. He has also worked in the production of numerous documentaries, among them: Maisha ni Health – aired by Citizen T.V; Lunatic Express- aired on KBC T.V and Malaika (as DOP). He also worked in the presidential press unit for 10 years..Mr. Waweru holds a Diploma in Film and Video production from Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and has has worked with the government of Kenya for over 35 years, rising to a Principal Film Officer. He has trained and mentored many youths and interns in the handling the filming equipment.