Bigger Motion Acquires East African Rights to Kenyan Sci-Fi ‘Memory of Princess Mumbi’, Sets Five-Country Theatrical Run (EXCLUSIVE)

Bigger Motion, the distribution arm of LBx Africa, has acquired the East African distribution rights to Memory of Princess Mumbi, the 2025 Kenyan dystopian feature that blends sci-fi and documentary.

The film will have a theatrical run across Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania from August to September 2026.

Set in 2093 in the fictional African country of Umata, Memory of Princess Mumbi recounts a love triangle between a film director (Abraham Joseph), an aspiring actress (Shandra Apondi) and a prince (Samson Waithaka).

Directed by Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker Damien Hauser (After the Long Rains), the film premiered in competition at Venice’s parallel section, Giornate degli Autori, in 2025, becoming the first Kenyan feature ever selected for the category. It subsequently screened at several international festivals, including as a Centrepiece title at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and at BFI London, before making its Kenyan premiere at the NBO Film Festival in October 2025.

Reviewing the film at NBO, Sinema Focus critic Kelvin Kariuki praised its authentic sincerity despite its engagement with AI, both as a filmmaking tool and a central theme of the story, writing: “I wouldn’t fault those who see the technology as the ubiquitous degradation of traditional filmmaking, but Hauser puts real human conditions at the forefront to bring to life a refreshing, joyous, inventive, fun, playful, and inspiring film that celebrates the true soul of cinema.”

Hauser expressed his excitement about the upcoming East African release, describing it as a “proper” theatrical rollout that will bring the film to a wider audience.

“More than anything, I wanted to make a film that brings joy, laughter, and warmth, and I cannot wait to finally share it with the audiences it was made for,” he said.

For co-producer and lead actor Shandra Apondi, who plays Mumbi, the release is an opportunity to share the film with friends, family and audiences back home.

“This film was made with so much love, and I hope that love comes through on screen,” said Apondi. “The story presents Africa and its people beyond the struggles that are so often associated with the continent. Instead, it celebrates our humanity, creativity, humour, and everyday lives. I hope audiences laugh, connect with Mumbi, Kuve, and the other characters, and enjoy watching the film as much as we enjoyed making it.” 

Memory of Princess Mumbi will be available in independent cinemas across Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2026. A finalised list of cinema partners and screening schedules across East Africa will be announced by Bigger Motion.

The East African rollout follows a recent acquisition by Monument Releasing, which secured English-language rights to the film for the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and is set to release it in U.S. cinemas on 14 August.

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