The Kenyan film and television industry is in mourning following the death of celebrated producer Appie Matere, whose visionary work helped shape contemporary African storytelling and elevate Kenyan narratives onto the global stage.
The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) has described Matere as an extraordinary creative force whose influence on African cinema will remain “enduring and profound.”
A trailblazer in both the Kenyan and wider African film industries, Matere’s career spanned more than two decades, during which she rose from humble beginnings to become one of the country’s most respected producers.
She was the founder of Zamaradi Productions, one of Kenya’s leading independent studios known for championing authentic African stories for both local and international audiences.
Through the company, Matere played a pivotal role in expanding the scope and ambition of Kenyan film and television content.
Her body of work cut across feature films, award-winning short films, documentaries and long-form television drama, contributing significantly to Kenya’s modern screen identity.
Among her most notable projects was Killer Necklace, which won Best Short Film and Best Director at the Kalasha Awards and went on to screen at the New York African Film Festival.
Her feature documentary Headlines in History also received top honours, winning Best Feature Documentary at the Kalasha Awards.
Matere was further instrumental in producing the popular Kenyan telenovela Kona, which aired on M-Net’s Africa Magic channel, bringing Kenyan stories to a wider continental audience and cementing the country’s place in mainstream African television.
Beyond Kenya’s borders, her work was marked by international collaborations that helped position Kenyan narratives on the global stage, earning recognition at major film festivals and opening doors for cross-border creative partnerships.
Away from the screen, Matere was widely respected as a mentor and advocate for industry growth. She actively shared her knowledge through training programmes, workshops and masterclasses, nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping shape the next generation of African storytellers.
Appie Matere leaves behind a powerful legacy; not only through the films and television dramas she produced, but also through the many careers she inspired and the stories she helped bring to life.