Zeresenay Berhane Mehari

Award-winning Ethiopian filmmaker, writer and director Zeresenay “Zee” Berhane Mehari is the lead artist for the second AFMAC workshop, hosted in Tangier by artist Yto Barrada and the storied Cinémathèque de Tanger. Drawing from his extensive experience in international cinema and storytelling, Mehari will guide participants through a dynamic exploration of narrative techniques and cross-cultural filmmaking insights in an inspiring week-long workshop.

Mehari's work is celebrated globally for its compelling narratives and deep cultural resonance. He is the director of two critically acclaimed feature films as well as being the co-founder of Ethiopia’s popular Kana Television. He is currently co-founder and Head of Production of A51 Pictures, an independent film production company based in Addis Ababa. His films consistently highlight stories with a strong social impact, often focusing on real events that feature women who pursue truth in the face of adversity.

Below is an introduction to Mehari's award-winning film Difret, which will be shown at a public screening at the Cinémathèque’s historic building during the workshop series.