Satyajit Ray film institute student at Cannes La Cinef: Want to be voice for Africans

India Today

20-05-2025

A filmmaking African student, a zero-budget film, a chance encounter with a footballer, who became the lead, and then an entry into Cannes' La Cinef selection - that's how a dream became reality for Kokob Gebrehaweria. The Ethiopian student from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute is at Cannes 2025 with his film 'A Clay Made Up of Clay.' In an exclusive chat with India Today, he spoke about his struggles and how he wants to be a voice for Africans through his cinema.advertisementKokob shared that it all started with a long-take exercise in college where he had to helm a project. "It was an important one, and as an African, I wanted to make a story about the people there. It was a tough challenge, but I also wanted to have an African actor. And one day, while I was out with a friend, I met this man from Nigeria, Ibrahim. We got talking, and I found out he was in Kolkata to play football. I narrated my idea to him, and while he was apprehensive, he decided to do it for fun," the filmmaker said.That long take, centred on a genocide war, was completed and submitted to various film festivals - where it received praise. Over time, Kokob and Ibrahim developed a close friendship. Ibrahim later confided in him about the injury that ended his football aspirations, how he missed home, and how he was lured to India with false promises. Despite playing passionately, he was paid poorly per match and struggled financially. His heartbreaking story inspired Kokob to create a fictional film based on his journey — and that's how 'A Doll Made Up of Clay' was born.advertisement
"As I am an international student too, I realised how much he was missing home. He also spoke about his love for football and his love for the city, which made him pick odd jobs to survive. The film is a documentary on his life, and so many more such people. We rehearsed for 15 days and then shot the film. Also, it was a no-budget film, and hence, friends and students from different departments came together to make it. The film is about a boy who sells his father's land to come to Kolkata to pursue professional football, but a tragic injury makes him quit the game. And because he has no money, he's stuck there," Kokob shared about the film.He added that there were seniors and mentors who had earlier been to Cannes, who guided him to enter the competition. He shared that he completed the process himself, and got selected. The filmmaker shared, "I was stunned and excited when I got the news. I cannot express in words the joy of representing India at that prestigious stage. This country is also home to me, as I have spent three years without going back to Africa. I am also proud of the fact that I will take Ethiopia to Cannes. I am so thankful to everyone involved with this film... we could pull this off only because of our love for films."advertisementWhen asked if he's evaluated what it takes to be selected at Cannes, Kokob Gebrehaweria said that foremostly, one needs to have a voice, and a very strong one. "And then a rooted story.. It's that easy. A lot of the students are scared to apply, so I will tell them to do that without fear. It's not about being selected but giving yourself a chance. Make something that's personal and very rooted, something around folk tales," he shared.The director further spoke about his aspirations and his vision with his films: "Both my works have an African connection, and I plan to have more Indo-African stories. While there are a few footballers who manage to earn well and send money back home, most of them are exploited. But given the weather, they play only half a year, and get paid per match. The ones who cannot often get into addiction. They cannot get medical help and have no money, and because they do not even know the language, they are tragically stuck. Most of them have run away from home, sold their assets. I want to be their voice and tell their stories in the hope that some organisation can come forward and help them. I may not have the financial ability to do it myself, but being an African, I want to be there for them."Talking about the Cannes La Cinef, the filmmaker shared that while he's positive about the outcome, his heart is already filled with gratitude. He also shared that he is working on another short film and plans to make a feature soon. At the film festival, he not only wishes to be recognised but also plans to network and find international producers. The director shared that he also wants to collaborate with programmers, distributors for his future projects. Kokob Gebrehaweria also shared that since he is an international student, he did not get any funds for his Cannes visit as per the policy. An agency did aid, but it was his family that supported him to be there, apart from his teachers and fellow students.