Kakamega, The Last Rainforest

Aim

Creating a documentary to help protect Kenya's last rainforest from a British gold mining operation.

Kakamega, The Last Rainforest 

A rare rainforest stands on the edge of destruction. A mining company from far away threatens to displace the local tribes and extract the precious minerals from beneath their ancestral lands. No, it's not Avatar.  It's Kakamega - the last rainforest in Kenya.

Synopsis

'Kakamega, The Last Rainforest' focuses on the life of a Kenyan gold miner as it gets turned upside down by the arrival of Shanta Gold Limited, a large-scale mining company from the UK. 

Through his eyes audiences get to explore a rich and enchanting world, to discover what is truly at stake as this mining endeavor looms nearer: a connection to ancestral land and a way of living that can be lost forever.

The film takes place in the midst of a stormy political climate and leads up to a pivotal election, the result of which will have massive impacts on the future of Kenya and the people of Kakamega. 

Objectives 

This documentary takes a regional conflict in Western Kenya and places it on a global stage, not only to reflect a larger story but to create crucial engagement.

Films made in real-time, at the right time, can make a difference. Our project is made in collaboration with local stakeholders who can leverage this films visibility into tangible and legislative change. 

Our key objectives include:

• Increased support to the Kakamega Forest Heritage Foundation 
• Change in Kenyan legislation to legitimize artisanal and small scale miners
• Renegotiation of Shanta Gold Limited’s access to Kakamega region 

In addition to these objectives, a major target is to rally the Gen Z movement of Kenya around this conflict, reconnecting them to their greatest treasures: their land and their heritage. 

Team

James Cameron Starr - Director, Editor, Cinematographer 

Njoki Gatimu J.D - Producer, Documentarian 

Patterson Siema - Local of Kakamega, internationally renown producer and communications expert. 

George Murila - CEO of Kakamega Forest Heritage Foundation 

Patrick Ligami - National Vice Chair - Artisanal Small Scale Miners Association of Kenya 

Budget

This project is broken into 5 phases. 

Phase 1 - Research / Short Doc Production (2026) 

Production Budget: $12,500 (RAISED) 

Phase 2 - Distribution and Partnerships 

Distribution Budget: $15,000 (IN PROCESS) 

Phase 3 - Production of Feature (2027)

Budget: $40,450

 Phase 4- Post Production 

Budget: $22,550

Phase 5 - Marketing 

Budget: $15,050 

Total: $105,550

Current Raise (Phase II) 

Our current raise is aimed at two main goals. 

1) Distribution of our short documentary to festivals across the UK & sending our director there to connect with local activist / conservation groups. 

2) Pre Production costs for our feature. This includes specific camera gear to give the film a world-class quality and transportation to get things rolling. 

Cost Breakdown 

Festival Submissions - $2,400

Travel to / within the UK - $1,600

Sony Fx5 Cinema Camera - $5,000

Prime Lens Kit - $1,500

Sound Equipment - $1,500

Travel to Kenya - $2,000

Total : $15,000

Distribution Strategy

Putting this film in places where it can start conversations and lead to collaborations is key. That means screening it in real-time and in venues where people can make real connections. 

Our distribution strategy for 2026 / 2027 focuses on having our short documentary screened at the following film festivals and events in both Kenya and throughout the UK: 

We have already received great feedback in Kenya - reaches the finals of WildScreen's Wild Pitch competition, and being selected to be screened at the opening ceremonies of Brikicho Architecture conference in Nairobi. 

In the UK, we are aiming to use this film to inform the public as to what their companies are doing abroad, and connect with social and environmental activist groups. With their support we can better understand how to create pressure at the doorstep of Shanta Gold and use this as leverage for the people of Kakamega to gain more favorable terms. 

Partnerships 

The Kakamega Forest Heritage Foundation (KFHF) 

For the last 10 years KFHF has been pioneering methods of restoring the rainforest and ensuring its protection by empowering surrounding communities. Through education, outdoor clubs and providing young people with basic needs, KFHF is at the heart of what makes Kakamega a beautiful and vibrant place to live. 

You can see some of the work we've produced together on their website: 

https://kakamegaforest.org/

The Artisanal and Small Scale Minors Association of Kenya (ASMAK)

In Kakamega gold mining is a source of life. Over 200,000 people are actively employed and far more than that rely on this sector to survive. Thanks to the work of local leaders like Patrick Ligami these miners have formed into cooperatives - offering security and advocacy to it's members, especially at-risk members of society like widows, those with disabilities and the elderly. 

Partnership Opportunities 

Our doors are open to production companies, conservation initiatives and other entities that share the ethos of this project. 

If your company, brand or organization would like to see it's name on this film and help protect the last rainforest in Kenya, now is the time. 

Supporter Rewards

All supports will receive an Exclusive First Look at our short documentary Kakamega, The Last Rainforest. 

All supporters will receive Behind-the-Scenes Access to the project  -  updates and featurettes showcasing the incredible work that's gone into this production and the unbelievable events that have unfolded along the way. 

All supporters will receive On-Screen Credit in both films. 

Further rewards and support opportunities will be announced as the project continues. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd December 2026 at 3:08pm CST