Behind the Lens with
Miss Kia
Born in the USA, the cinematic haven of Hollywood, my formative years in Tanzania imbued me with a distinctive storytelling sensibility. From the vibrant use of hyperbole to the expressive beauty of onomatopoeia, storytelling evolved into my preferred mode of communication, a source of joy, connection, and understanding.
Formative Years: College I
My exploration of film as a powerful medium to address taboo issues took root during my BTEC Media studies in college. Early films delved into topics such as Female Genital Mutilation, Rape culture, and the pervasive 'boys will be boys' mentality, contributing to a lack of accountability among Tanzanian men. An early recognition, in the form of a prestigious BTEC Student of the Year Award, concretized my initial desire to pursue a film career. The networking opportunities and internships that came as a result, led me to pursue my film career in the UK. I am a proud BTEC Ambassador.
Formative Years: College II
In addition, I actively participated in other activities in line with my ethos rooted in gender equality, 3rd wave feminism, and Pan-Africanism. One example of this is an event called Sisterhood, which brought together 172 girls from local seminary schools for a two-day intensive workshop and connection session.
Alongside seven teachers, we organized lessons on topics such as hygiene, marriage and sexual pressure, body awareness, career goals, and more—all relevant to the girls' lives. We also incorporated sports activities and distributed sanitary pads and gifts. We believed that this education, coupled with exposure to other Tanzanian women, would empower these girls on their journey to womanhood. We successfully ran this program for two years.
Formative Years: College III
My deep connection to the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice still affecting young Tanzanian girls in rural areas, led me to write a poem for AMREF Health Africa. The worry that this could have been my fate if i were born into a different family, compelled me to address the topic.
I wrote a poem titled 'Dear Fathers and Brothers' that I recited during the premiere of an AMREF original documentary titled 'In the Name of our Daughters'. I also had the honor of performing it at a webinar by the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C during the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2021.
As a confident and articulate speaker, I used my voice to advocate for what I believed in. (LAMDA, Gold Public Speaking, 2017) This led to my involvement with the East African Model United Nations, where I represented Human Rights. This experience culminated in a trip to the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, where we engaged in meaningful debates on global issues.
'Josephine Kiaga is a future creative leader and a face to watch. She is already a powerful advocate for women and her country and her energy and passion for the creative arts is going to take her far'
- BTEC Winner: Case Study
Freelancing: Being African-American
Following my First Class Bachelors in Film Production at the University of Salford, I returned to Tanzania where I spent my adolescent years.
Many questioned why I would leave behind career opportunities in England to return to Tanzania when most would do the opposite. With the opportunity to return to the US, on the one hand, or continue my two-year freelance career in England, on the other hand, many questions arose among relatives and friends. Taking the road less traveled can forge more paths. For example, I was able to leverage my position to create jobs for fellow Tanzanian freelance actors, musicians, cinematographers and other talent as I was contracted by several Non Govermental Organizations namely GirlEffect Ltd and The Nature Conservancy. This was my personal redefinition of the American dream. Most notably I was a production manager for a short film titled Jasiri, commissioned by the US Embassy and PEPFAR to celebrate 20 years of their support in Tanzania.
I produced a piece of art titled 'Re-Joyce' that was among three selected pieces at Rangi Art Gallery to celebrate Women's History month. This piece was a commentary on the decision of the late Tanzanian president John Magufuli's decision to ban pregnant school girls from returning to school in 2015, which was later lifted by our first female president President Samia Suluhu Hassan in 2017.
Starting a company : Kiagraphy Media Ltd.
Kiagraphy Productions was born from the passion of an experienced photographer and an upcoming videographer sibling duo, my brother and I.
We had our individual paths to our creative genesis. Joe began with illustration in his younger years translating that into an advertising degree. In 2016 we purchased his first camera on a family trip. He received formal training and education in Cape Town at The Orms Cape Town School of Photography, honing his former hobby into his life’s craft.
In a somewhat similar path, I fell in love with music, poetry, and acting while in school. My passion for storytelling from behind the camera came after I became the school media prefect. We have combined our creative experience to create Kiagraphy Media Ltd. in 2022.
Kiagraphy is dedicated to pushing boundaries and challenging social norms. Both of us have overcome biases, hurdles and challenges within the artistic world that shapes and influences we are today.
Kiagraphy is expression, art and self.
Our premiere film Two Mirrors in the Sky performed incredibly in festivals, being officially selected in festivals across three continents.
Current Projects
SURVIVAL X NAFASI
ART RESIDENT
Breaking the Crimson Code dissects the language surrounding menstruation and examines its historical context in relation to both Africa and the West. This exploration is particularly significant as Africa has been profoundly affected by colonialism and the pervasive mindsets that accompanied it, often under the guise of "western development." These influences have been deeply embedded with themes of religion and capitalism, shaping societal attitudes and perceptions not only for African women, but women globally.
