Founders & Directors
Setting the vision, stewarding the mission, and keeping the ecosystem on course.
A Creative Ecosystem
For A Brighter Africa.
Since 2015, we have been creating pathways into the film, television and photography industry for young African storytellers.
Our Story
From Kampala.
For Africa’s storytellers.
Cinelab Akademie Initiative (CLAI) is a registered social enterprise and creative ecosystem based in Kampala, Uganda. Since 2015, we have built direct pathways into the film, television and photography industry for young African storytellers across Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya and the DRC.
We are not a film school. CLAI is an ecosystem that bridges the gap between training and professional industry practice — a production house and a talent-development engine operating as one, built to give emerging creatives access to real, working productions rather than classroom simulations.
The two reinforce each other: our productions create real, paid work; our training and industry linkages fill that work with skilled local crew. We call it our flywheel — and it turns access into livelihoods.
Our Vision
Transforming lives and building sustainable futures through storytelling.We are an ecosystem for transformational storytelling, where talent from every background can access opportunity and create content that moves communities and the world.
Our Mission
We build an ecosystem that bridges training and industry practice — equipping young people with practical filmmaking, TV and photography skills, and connecting them directly to real productions, industry partners and paid creative work.
The CLAI Flywheel
Training. Productions.
Industry Linkage.
Our ecosystem works as a flywheel — each part strengthens the others, turning access into livelihoods.
Training &
Talent Development
Practical skills through
hands-on learning.
Productions
Real, paid work and
screen credits.
Industry Linkage
Apprenticeships, networks
and opportunities.
What Guides Us
Our Values
Six values shape our culture and everything we do.
Transformative Excellence
We nurture creativity into mastery through discipline, innovation and quality storytelling.
Sacred Stewardship
We honour people, resources, partnerships and investments through transparency and responsibility.
→Radical Belonging
Great stories come from everywhere. CLAI is a welcoming creative home across cultures and communities.
Generational Mentorship
We build bridges where experience meets emerging potential.
Collaborative Co-Creation
We believe the future is built together, through shared creativity and partnership.
Purpose-Driven Impact
Every story, partnership and production should contribute to meaningful transformation.
Our Team
People Behind the Possibility.
A dedicated team of filmmakers, educators, producers and development professionals building opportunities for Africa’s storytellers.
Head of Productions
Oversees film, TV and photography productions and client work.
Head of Training
Leads practical training and talent development programmes.
Business & Partnership Lead
Drives partnerships, fundraising and commercial growth.
Programmes & M&E Officers
Supports programme delivery, monitoring and impact reporting.
Industry Advisory Board
A diverse group of industry professionals providing strategic advice, open doors and connections.