Kenyan Director Wanuri Kahiu Has Signed with The Gotham Group

Wanuri Kahiu, the writer and director of RAFIKI—the first Kenyan feature film to be invited to the Cannes Film Festival—has signed with The Gotham Group, Deadlinereports.

The Gotham Group is a diversified management and production company that have produced films like The Maze Runner series and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

"Wanuri Kahiu is a prodigiously talented and brilliant woman," Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, founder and CEO of The Gotham Group, says to Deadline. "As an advocate for Africans, especially young women, Wanuri has established herself as a major cultural force. That she refused to edit Rafiki in any way to avoid the Kenyan ban is a testament to Wanuri's courage and commitment to her creative vision."

Kahiu's film received a well-deserved standing ovation after it screened at Cannes—and the reviews have been positive in light of Kenya banning the film.

"In our difficult times, and I say this despite the serious themes in much of my work, I also believe film—and television—needs images of joy and frivolity as well," Kahiu says. "My hope is that the whole dimension of the human spirit, in Africa and around the world, be reflected in my work."

After this power move, we're excited to see what's next for the visionary. Congrats, Wanuri!