Unseen Nairobi
Film, Food & A View.
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The Shadow Scholars
2024 | 1hr 37min. | A Film by Eloise King | English
Q&A with the director, Eloise King on Monday 27th, October.
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Patricia Kingori is the youngest woman and Black professor in Oxford’s 925-year history.
Captivated by the hidden, multi-billion dollar ‘fake essay’ industry, Patricia enters the world of the ‘shadow scholars’ - an estimated 40,000 highly-educated, underemployed Kenyans making ends meet by writing academic papers for global students. Scholars like Mercy, a single mother, struggling to support her daughter while writing thousands of words every night to help students in wealthy countries graduate and move into lucrative jobs. In the US, a desperate student sells nudes to pay for the promise of a passing grade for her midterms.
The tension grows between the demand and the parallel threats of UK and Australian crackdowns and the rise of AI, and Patricia asks: If the world’s elite can pay for degrees they didn’t earn - and educated Kenyans cannot find jobs outside this industry - then what is the real value of education?
The inner workings of an entire global online network are brought to life in the film. The identities of the scholars have been given AI-Generated digital disguises by the filmmakers as protection from international government clamp-downs on the essay-writing industry.
The identities of the scholars have been given AI-Generated digital ‘disguises’ by the filmmakers as protection from international government clamp-downs on the essay-writing industry.
Filmed across three continents, ‘The Shadow Scholars’ illuminates how the underground academic economy supports success in the global North, yet deprives Africans and reveals the profound future consequences for us all.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
Memories of Love Returned
2025 | 77min. | A Film by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine | English and Luganda with English subtitles
In person Q&A with director, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine on Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th, October.
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On April 24th, 2002, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s car broke down in the small town of Mbirizi, Uganda. While waiting for the car's repair he stumbled upon a photo studio and met photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, whose work spanned from the late 1950’s up till 2006 when he passed away.
This chance encounter turned into a 22 year journey documenting and exploring Kibaate’s life and photography and the profound impact it had on Ntare’s life and the lives of the entire community he documented.
The film is centered on a large-scale outdoor exhibit in Kibaate’s hometown, which led to the community's discovery of long lost photos, family secrets and never before seen family members all being brought to life through Kibaate’s work.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
The Dog
2025 | 106min. | A Film by Baker Karim | Swahili & English
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MZ is a small-time drug dealer working the frantic streets of inner city Mombasa. He works for Saddam - a feared drug lord and Madame to a ring of high end prostitutes. She gives MZ the mission to drive a beautiful young escort, Kadzo, to and from her private rendez-vous. With one simple rule - do not, under any circumstances get involved with Kadzo. But MZ falls for Kadzo the minute he lays eyes on her and when she tells him about her dream of running away to an Island far, far away, MZ decides to save her from her situation and leave with her. Love will make you do stupid things. A risky drug deal he knew he never should have made, one foolish mistake and MZ finds himself deep in debt to Saddam. Desperation turns to despair and MZ has to resort to extreme measures to get out of his mounting troubles. All the while falling deeper and deeper for Kadzo. And so, love turns into obsession. MZ risks it all for Kadzo, leading him in a spiral of increasingly dangerous problems. But does Kadzo really want to run away and does she need a man to save her?
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
COMING SOON December
How To Build a Library
2025 | 1hr 43min. | A Film by Maia Lekow & Chris King | English & Swahili
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Two intrepid Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya’s colonial past.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
COMING SOON
Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions
2024 | 1hr 53min. | A Film by Dani Kouyaté | English & Swahili
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After a failed conspiracy against the crown, the king Pazouknaam names his cousin Katanga as head of the armed forces.
Conscious of the weight of this role, Katanga consults a soothsayer to assure the success of his mission. Reading the sands, the soothesayer tells Katanga that he will either succeed his cousin as king or die during a future coup.
Directors statement:
KATANGA: THE DANCE OF THE SCORPIONS is a universal and timeless political fable, adapted from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. The film is about loyalty in friendship, and the fragility of human nature in the face of power.
“Scorpions dance in my head and tickle my brain” murmurs KATANGA, intoxicated by the omnipotence of his authority.
KATANGA: THE DANCE OF THE SCORPIONS is one of the few film adaptations of the famous author William Shakespeare on the African continent. Adapting Shakespeare for Africa seems a natural step.
The Shakespearean universe easily meets the spirit of the great African narratives tinged with the supernatural and recurring fusions between the visible and invisible worlds.
The choice of black & white, in addition to its aesthetic strength, lends the film a fabulous character outside time and space.
*Please note that as we are a small, cultural space our tickets are non refundable & cannot be exchanged for another date. So if you decide you can’t come at the last minute, we suggest donating or reselling your ticket! Make a friend happy with a gift of cinema.
MINI MORNINGS AT UNSEEN
From fantastical adventures to hilarious animations, come and join us for a fun morning! Every Sunday from 10am.
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Our Mini Mornings gives smaller kids the chance to experience films on the big screen in a child friendly environment, with soft lighting and lowered film volume. Mini Mornings are run every Sunday morning at 10am. Suitable for ages 2+
The ticket price is 650 KSH per child and includes fresh juice and a homemade snack. All children must be under the supervision of an adult. The screening is free for the accompanying adults.
UNSEEN GEMS FILMCLUB
Next Gems: November 30th
Join us for monthly themes and film discussions and discover the best film that you haven’t seen yet. Voting for the three film contenders via our Instagram page or Whatsapp Group.
Hosted by Unseen Nairobi with introductions & discussions led by friend, film lecturer & novelist, Matthew Daintrey-Hall.
Check out the GEMS archive on Letterboxd
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We don't want price to be a barrier to seeing and talking about great films, so pay what you can afford to join our Film Club each month!
Booking fee (supports a cheapy seaty)
550KSh
Subsidised fee (Cheapy Seaty) -
100KSh
MOVIE QUIZ NIGHT
Next Quiz Night - OCTOBER 29TH 2025
Join Mugambi Nthiga for another Movie Quiz at Unseen’s rooftop.
Join with your team or fly solo to compete as the ultimate movie trivia champion!
You can guarantee lots of laughs and friendly competition. Tickets are free but booking is essential.