‘Rafiki’ creator Wanuri Kahiu to direct Hollywood film

Kenyan film director Wanuri Kahiu, who made news after her film Rafiki was banned by the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) in April has once again proved her mettle in the industry after being chosen to direct Covers, a romance film for global film studio Universal Pictures and Working Tittle, a British Production house owned by the former.

Universal and Working Tittle enlisted the services of Wanuri following an international search for a director to direct first-time screenwriter Flora Greeson’s screenplay, which the American studio has acquired.

She will work alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner who will produce and Alexandra Loewy who will executive produce. Universal’s Erik Baiers will be the supervising producer.

Rafiki which was the first Kenyan movie from to be selected to screen at the Cannes Film Festival was banned for its LGBT theme.

The High Court lifted the ban on the film on September 21 to allow it to be screened in Kenyan cinemas.

For a film to be eligible for an Oscar nomination, it must first be screened in the country it is produced. Wanuri had earlier sued the government and KFCB for the ban which meant that she could not submit her film for consideration.

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This is another win for Wanuri who has been on a roll, on June 25, she was named a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science alongside 927 other famous directors from across the world including industry bigwigs such as Daniel Kaluuya, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer, Emilia Clarke, Andre Holland and Trevante Rhodes.

The Academy is known for its annual Academy Awards, also known as “The Oscars”.

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