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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.

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Still image from Battle for Laikipia

Meet the Team

Kenya's leading factual storytellers
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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.

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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.

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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

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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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Service Production

We are trusted by leading broadcasters and production companies for our creative precision, on-the-ground expertise, and ethical storytelling practices. Past clients include Bloomberg US, Voice of America, BBC Africa, Majority Films (USA), and Upian Films (France).

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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.

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Production Consulting

Peabody and News Emmy nominated Producer Toni Kamau provides consulting services focused on story development, festival strategy, and impact for character-driven factual projects and cross-border co-productions.

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 ResearchCasting, Crew and Service Production.

How drones and open source are building maps for refugees
03:22
The Murder that Shook the Running World | Bloomberg Investigates
47:04
Money is Power   Earn a Living   ARTE in English
11:02

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.

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I Am Samuel (Trailer)
01:56
Softie | Official Trailer | POV | PBS
02:02

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

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

We Are Not The Machine

@WNTMOfficial

@wearenotthemachine

Thanks for sending us a message. We will get back soon.

Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. We are not the machine (Kenya).

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