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Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha (KAM): The Quiet Force Behind Ethiopian Cinema
In Ethiopia’s film industry, few names carry the quiet power of Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha, the founder of KAM Global Pictures. For more than two decades, Kirubel has focused on building a lasting film culture rather than chasing the spotlight.
Born in 1975 in Addis Ababa, Kirubel grew up surrounded by art. His father, Asfaw Mengesha, managed the Hollywood Films Department at the National Theatre (then Hailesillassie Theatre). At just five years old, Kirubel began attending film screenings with his father and fell in love with the magic of cinema, especially 1980s Hollywood films.
After finishing high school, his passion took him to Nairobi, Kenya, where he studied photography and cinematography. Returning to Ethiopia in 2000, he opened his first photo studio in Sidist Kilo with the support of his father.
Soon after, Kirubel partnered with Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebresillassie to establish KAM Institute, one of Ethiopia’s pioneering schools of photography and cinematography. Over the years, more than 3,000 young Ethiopians graduated from the institute, many of whom went on to shape the country’s modern film industry.
Determined to strengthen his craft, Kirubel later studied film production in Bangalore, India. Upon returning, he began producing feature films—13 to date—while giving opportunities to fresh talents such as Solomon Bogale, Samson Tadese (Baby), Mahider Assefa, and Girum Ermias. His two standout works, Amalayu (adapted from the French film Hors de Prix) and Wedegedelew (from Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Niggers), won both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Currently, his ambitious TV series “Ye Yakob Lejoch” is airing on FANA TV. The project is being hailed as a milestone for Ethiopian television, not least because six months of pre- and post-production were completed before its premiere—a rare standard in local TV production.
Through it all, Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha has remained a humble builder, letting his films and his graduates speak louder than his name.
📌 Quick Reference Biography
Born: 1975, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Education: Photography & Cinematography (Nairobi, Kenya); Film Production (Bangalore, India)
Career Milestones:
2000 – Opened first photo studio in Sidist Kilo
Early 2000s – Co-founded KAM Institute with Haile Gebresillassie; trained 3,000+ students nationwide
2000s–present – Produced 13 feature films introducing new talents
Notable works: Amalayu, Wedegedelew
2020s – Producer of TV series Ye Yakob Lejoch (FANA TV)
Legacy: Pioneer of Ethiopian film education and production, mentor to thousands, and one of the most influential figures in Ethiopia’s cinematic history.
👉
Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha (KAM): The Quiet Force Behind Ethiopian Cinema
In Ethiopia’s film industry, few names carry the quiet power of Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha, the founder of KAM Global Pictures. For more than two decades, Kirubel has focused on building a lasting film culture rather than chasing the spotlight.
Born in 1975 in Addis Ababa, Kirubel grew up surrounded by art. His father, Asfaw Mengesha, managed the Hollywood Films Department at the National Theatre (then Hailesillassie Theatre). At just five years old, Kirubel began attending film screenings with his father and fell in love with the magic of cinema, especially 1980s Hollywood films.
After finishing high school, his passion took him to Nairobi, Kenya, where he studied photography and cinematography. Returning to Ethiopia in 2000, he opened his first photo studio in Sidist Kilo with the support of his father.
Soon after, Kirubel partnered with Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebresillassie to establish KAM Institute, one of Ethiopia’s pioneering schools of photography and cinematography. Over the years, more than 3,000 young Ethiopians graduated from the institute, many of whom went on to shape the country’s modern film industry.
Determined to strengthen his craft, Kirubel later studied film production in Bangalore, India. Upon returning, he began producing feature films—13 to date—while giving opportunities to fresh talents such as Solomon Bogale, Samson Tadese (Baby), Mahider Assefa, and Girum Ermias. His two standout works, Amalayu (adapted from the French film Hors de Prix) and Wedegedelew (from Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Niggers), won both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Currently, his ambitious TV series “Ye Yakob Lejoch” is airing on FANA TV. The project is being hailed as a milestone for Ethiopian television, not least because six months of pre- and post-production were completed before its premiere—a rare standard in local TV production.
Through it all, Kirubel Asfaw Mengesha has remained a humble builder, letting his films and his graduates speak louder than his name.
📌 Quick Reference Biography
Born: 1975, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Education: Photography & Cinematography (Nairobi, Kenya); Film Production (Bangalore, India)
Career Milestones:
2000 – Opened first photo studio in Sidist Kilo
Early 2000s – Co-founded KAM Institute with Haile Gebresillassie; trained 3,000+ students nationwide
2000s–present – Produced 13 feature films introducing new talents
Notable works: Amalayu, Wedegedelew
2020s – Producer of TV series Ye Yakob Lejoch (FANA TV)
Legacy: Pioneer of Ethiopian film education and production, mentor to thousands, and one of the most influential figures in Ethiopia’s cinematic history.
👉
10 months ago
