By Peace Muthoka.
NAIROBI, Kenya – For award-winning producer Audrey Tanya, the path to cinematic excellence wasn’t a straight line it was a series of courageous choices, each one a defiant answer to the whisper of imposter syndrome.
What began as a search for sharper skills at the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) academy has blossomed into a remarkable career defined by resilience, purpose, and a fierce commitment to authentic African storytelling.
“Being part of MTF was like stepping into a room full of mirrors,” Tanya recalls. “Suddenly, I could see myself and my potential from angles I’d never considered. It reshaped how I saw storytelling, not just as a passion, but as a business, a responsibility, and a powerful tool for change.”
That expanded vision quickly yielded extraordinary results. A defining moment came during an MTF assignment to create a short documentary promoting the COVID-19 vaccine. Battling self-doubt, she pushed through to create “My Little Warrior.” The film, a poignant celebration of a caregiver’s resilience, went on to earn nominations at the Kalasha Film & TV Awards and the Focus on Ability Film Festival.
“That moment was a divine reminder,” Tanya said. “When I lean into purpose, trust the process, and honour the story, beauty flows. I realized that maybe the world isn’t ready… but I’ll keep showing up anyway.”
This ethos of “showing up” has become the hallmark of her career. From navigating on-set crises, like a lead actor quitting mid-shoot on another project, to winning prestigious international accolades, Tanya leads with a calm adaptability. Her recent win at the WIFA Awards was not just personal validation, but a signal that African stories are commanding global attention.
“Just being nominated meant the world. It told me that someone, somewhere, saw the work, the risk, the long nights, and said, ‘This matters,’” she shared. “Winning affirmed that I’m on the right path.”
Now, through her production company, Jenga Visuals, Tanya is focused on paying that success forward. She is actively championing female representation behind the camera, currently producing a series with an all-female crew. “It’s not just symbolic—it’s intentional,” she stated. “I want to create spaces where women don’t just show up, but lead. When women are behind the camera, the lens widens, the stories deepen, and the industry becomes richer.”
Her ambition continues to grow. With projects like the culturally rich feature film “Nkanai,” currently incubated at the prestigious Red Sea Lab, and the documentary “Fisherwoman,” Tanya is proving that African narratives are not only viable but vital on the world stage.
Reflecting on the future, her excitement is palpable. “We’re finally being seen. The world is looking to Africa, and the spotlight is on,” she said. “My dream is for deeper collaboration across the continent. East, West, North, South—we each bring something powerful. When we tell our stories together, we’re unstoppable.”
For aspiring filmmakers, her advice is forged in experience: “Rejection is part of the journey. Every ‘no’ taught me something. So, keep applying. Keep growing. Your time will come. And when it does, it’ll be worth it.”
Audrey Tanya’s story is more than a personal triumph; it’s a blueprint for a new generation of African creatives—a testament to what happens when you choose purpose over perfection and build a legacy one story at a time.
