title: Maisha Film Lab
text: # Maisha Film Lab
  
  Maisha Film Lab is a Uganda-based non-profit training film initiative for emerging East African filmmakers and mentor ship programme for aspiring filmmakers and youth in Eastern Africa. It encompasses film production, screenwriting, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound recording, and acting.
  
  ## Origins
  
  Maisha was established in 2005 by film director Mira Nair. The name Maisha is from a Swahili word that means "life". Maisha aims to seek, identify, nurture, and promote creative talent among children and youth through hands-on skills development programmes in areas such as journalism, film-making, arts appreciation, and organisation and presentation of cultural and creative events.
  
  ## Notable alumni
  
  Below is a list of distinguished Maisha Film Lab alumni:
  
  * Ashiq Khan
  * Dilman Dila
  * Joel Karekezi
  * Lupita Nyong'o
  * Mariam Ndagire
  * Rehema Nanfuka
  * Philbert Aime Mbabazi
  * Usama Mukwaya
  
  Rehema Nanfuka Kivu Ruhorahoza Joel Karekezi
  
  Sam Ishiimwe Abdu Simba Zippy Kimundu Patience Katushabe Asaba
  
  