About Us
Founded by News Emmy and Peabody-nominated producer Toni Kamau,
We Are Not The Machine is a female-led production company based in Kenya.
We tell factual and narrative stories about African outsiders, rebels,
and changemakers — people challenging broken systems and driving transformation.
Our films explore sustainability, equality, and empowerment, blending
local insight with cinematic vision to connect African stories to global audiences.
Our documentaries have aired on Bloomberg, ARTE, PBS, BBC, and CCTV Africa, and have screened at leading festivals including Sundance and Hot Docs.
Our Mission
To create powerful, authentic, and globally relevant African stories that challenge perceptions and inspire change.
Still image from Battle for Laikipia
Meet the Team
Kenya's leading factual storytellers
CHRISTINE KINYANJUI
Producer
A Kenyan producer with extensive experience across Africa. She has produced for GitHub/Microsoft, Bloomberg, and Deutsche Welle, and previously worked with BBC World, ARD, and ZDF.
TONI KAMAU
Producer
Toni is the 2024 Sundance Amazon MGM Non-Fiction Producer Prize winner and a Peabody-nominated creative producer. She produced Softie (Sundance 2020), I Am Samuel (HotDocs 2020), and The Battle for Laikipia (Sundance 2024). Toni serves the global film community as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences documentary branch.
HABIBA GICHERU
Production Coordinator
A creative producer and production manager passionate about authentic African storytelling. An alumna of Some Fine Day Pix 2021, she has worked on Run For Your Life (Bloomberg Investigates), After The Credits Roll, and Tukisonga Podcast.
Awards & Festivals
What we do
We offer a full range of production services across East Africa, including service production for international film teams, commissioned content for broadcasters, brand storytelling for corporates, impact-driven films for nonprofits, and independent co-production development and consulting.
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Independent Co-Productions
Our development and consulting services include creative producing, packaging, fundraising and impact producing. Past projects have screened at Sundance, Hot Docs, BFI London Film Festival and been nominated for Peabody, News Emmy awards, and won Dupont and Rory Peck awards.
Commissioned Content
Our storytelling is rooted in empathy, visual clarity, and editorial integrity — ideal for broadcasters, NGOs, cultural organizations and brands seeking stories that inform, inspire, and engage.
Our work
Commissioned and Service Production
We have worked on multiple commissioned and service production which have been
broadcast on Bloomberg, BBC, Al Jazeera, ARTE, VOA, and POV.
Our roles revolved around Research, Casting, Crew and Service Production.
Independent Features
We excel in independent factual co-productions, with a strong track record in casting
compelling characters and crafting cinematic, character-driven stories. Our films have screened
at leading festivals including Sundance, Hot Docs, and CPH:DOX,
and we have collaborated with filmmakers across the US, Canada, and Africa.
We welcome collaborations with global film teams, bringing deep local knowledge and strong casting networks across the continent.
In development
We are currently developing a slate of film projects
at various stages of production
Nashulai
(documentary)
A Maasai community unites to heal their land and restore balance between cattle, wildlife, and the future.
Producers: Toni Kamau, Yuval Orr
(drama series)
High Altitude
After a scandal costs her Olympic gold, a disgraced marathon runner returns to her Kenyan hometown to coach a new generation of athletes and confront the past she’s spent years running away from.
Official Selection – ACTV
Writer/Co-creator: Jennifer Gatero, Producer: Toni Kamau
Tithes and offering
(comedy feature)
An aspiring televangelist fakes miracles until one becomes real.
Official Selection – 2025 Venice Biennale College Cinema
Writer/ Director: Tony Koros.
Producers: Toni Kamau, Louise Kamwangi
Contact Us
Reach out to us for inquiries
You can write to us
Find us on Social Media
We Are Not The Machine
@WNTMOfficial
@wearenotthemachine