Kemiyondo Coutinho

Forbes Africa 30 under 30 recipient, Kemiyondo Coutinho has been writing and acting for the African woman since age 17. Her one-woman shows dealing with gender inequity toured internationally and warranted her an invite from The Gates Foundation to perform at their headquarters. She graduated with an MFA in Acting from The American Conservatory Theater but still vehemently pursued her writing and content creation through her production company Kemistry Klass.She has directed numerous music videos and Kyenvu her debut as a Film Director. Frustrated with the lack of female directors in the industry she decided to take on the role to inspire other female filmmakers to do the same. Kyenvu won the Oscar Qualifying award Best Short Film at the Pan African Film Festival in 2018 making it the first Ugandan film to ever qualify for an Oscar. Garnering major international awards including The Harness Social Impact awarded at NBC Universal's Short Film festival, Kyenvu made a loud directorial debut announcement. She is the inaugural recipient of Kevin hart's Laugh Out Loud filmmaking fellowship and recently premiered her film Green at the American Black Film festival.Known for her multiple disciplines in the arts, Kemiyondo was featured on CNN for her work in the arts in the segment African Voices as well as on BBC for her culture shaking film Kyenvu. Currently based in Los Angeles, is now the recipient of the prestigious E11 Green Card awarded to individuals of extraordinary ability who demonstrate that they are at the top of their field in their home country. Other Awards and Honors include Shadow & Act Rising Star Award & OKAYAfrica100 Women of Africa to watch. Show less «

As women, we are constantly put under pressure and we thrive under it. We constantly have people han...Show more »

As women, we are constantly put under pressure and we thrive under it. We constantly have people hanging a clock in our face and telling us our time is running out-sounds like my producer. We have always been given the bare minimum and been told to make the most out of it-looks just like my film budgets. We have the ability, should we want to, to create a whole new human being-what is a film to us? That is nothing. If you have walked through this life as a woman you have what it takes to be a filmmaker.Make it. Do it. You already know how. Show less «

I apply for something every week. Yup. Every week. Now think of how many things I announce that I ha...Show more »

I apply for something every week. Yup. Every week. Now think of how many things I announce that I have actually gotten. I hustle for more than I receive. As it should be. You never know which one is the door. So keep trying that key in all of them. Show less «

I think being a female is hard. I think being an artist is hard. t is hard being female in America. ...Show more »

I think being a female is hard. I think being an artist is hard. t is hard being female in America. It is hard being African (or the other) in America. I create anyway So put those things together and of course it is hard. I got over it and I created anyway...and threw shade about it on Twitter whilst I did. It is hard being Black in America. I I don't wait for the audition, I create my own work and start from there. It is hard but it is a calling not a choice. Show less «

Kemiyondo Coutinho

Kemiyondo Coutinho's FILMOGRAPHY

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