Vallentine is a self-made filmmaker residing in Kisumu, Kenya. Val got her expertise through workshops, YouTube, and – despite her age of just 23 – years of field work. As a director, scriptwriter, and producer, Val has created various short films that got her jobs in the directing department of several award-winning Kenyan productions like “Deranged” or “Okethoree”, and the Kenyan Film Prize nominated “Wife for Hire”. Val also works as a trainer in the charity organization “Naweza Films” in Kisumu, which empowers youths through training in filmmaking and storytelling. Growing up in the slums, she has always had a passion for telling the untold stories. To let audiences know and understand the challenges people face, as they inherit their cultures, traditions, and passions. And while her good communication skills have helped her to connect with people from diverse cultures and beliefs to find those stories, her talents in art and film have enabled her to be heard and listened to. NAWI is Valentine’s first feature-length project as a director, a role in which she could put all her experience in Kenyan movie-making in.
