Filmed vérité style over 5 years, I am Samuel is a story about love, family and acceptance - a portrait of a Kenyan man torn between balancing duty to his family with his dreams for his future.
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Synopsis
Samuel grew up in the Kenyan countryside, where tradition is valued above all else. He is close to his mother but his father, a local pastor, doesn’t understand why he isn’t married yet. After moving to Kenya's capital in search of work and a new life, Samuel falls in love with Alex and finds community and belonging. Their love thrives despite the fact that Kenyan laws criminalize anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. Despite threats of violence and rejection, Samuel and Alex move between their co-existing worlds, hoping to win acceptance in both.
REVIEWS
"Intimate and moving"
— LA Sentinel
"Beautifully portrayed."
— Okay Africa
"Understated and arresting!"
— In the seats
"I am Samuel is a work of bravery"
— POV Magazine
"I am Samuel presents love with such raw honesty that you can't look away."
— Amsterdam News
SCREENINGS
Current Festivals
LGBT Film Festival, Poland
17th September - 18th October 2021
Mix Copenhagen Film Festival, Denmark
22nd October - 31st October 2021
Queersicht festival, Bern Switzerland
4th - 10th November 2021
Screening Rights Festival, United Kingdom
25th - 28th November 2021
Human Rights Film Festival Zurich, Zurich Switzerland
2nd - 7th December 2021
Past Festivals
We have screened in over 25 festivals worldwide, including:
Human Rights Weekend, The Netherlands
12th - 18th February 2021
Netherlands
Toronto Human Rights Watch Film Fesitval
18th - 22nd February 2021
Toronto, Canada
OUTShine - February Virtual Film Festival
19th - 28th February 2021
Florida, USA
Pan African Film Festival
28th February - 14th March 2021
USA
London Human Rights Watch Film Fesitval
18th - 26th March 2021
London, UK
BFI Flare London film festival
17th - 28th March 2021
London, UK
Kasi to Kasi Queer Cinema
6th May - 18th June 2021
Johannesburg, South Africa
Durban International Film Festival
22nd July - 1st August 2021
Durban, South Africa
Encounters Film Festival
10th - 20th June 2021
Johannesburg, South Africa
Gamis FIlm Festival
4th August 2021
Glasgow, Scotland
Queer Film Festival Utrecht
28th August 2021
Ultrech, Netherlands
Afrika FIlm Festival
16th - 26th September 2021
Germany
NEWS
I am Samuel banned in Kenya, launches across Africa on Afridocs on 14th October 2021. Please see coverage below.
Banning of I am Samuel is a crying Shame — The Star
Kenya censors another gay themed film — HRW
Kenya film board bans gay documentary calling it an affront — Reuters
Kenya bans LGBTQ documentary for promoting same sex marriage — Guardian
Kenya bans LGBTQ documentary, I am Samuel for promoting same sex marriage — NME
Kenya bans documentary for portraying s same sex relationship — QZ
I am Samuel: Inside the powerful gay documentary film now banned in kenya — Attitude
View our past Q&As
