Joan Rispa Kiragu had just been admitted to pursue a Bachelor of Arts, oblivious to the twists and turns life would take. The idea of filmmaking was as foreign to her as the stars to a man who has never left his village. Yet, destiny has a way of revealing itself in whispers and shadows. It was during one of those lectures—an introduction to storytelling—that the magic of film began to unravel itself before her eyes.
What fascinated Joan was not just the stories but the symphony of creativity that birthed them. Writers, directors, cinematographers, actors, sound engineers—all coming together like a well-rehearsed orchestra to create a masterpiece. Captivated by this, her spark of curiosity grew into a fire she could not ignore. She threw herself into the world of film, interning at various production houses during her university years. It was there, at LBX Africa, a production house that embraced her green enthusiasm, that she directed her first film, Detox. It was a collaboration of hearts and minds, and its success cemented her path. From that moment on, there was no turning back.
“I would intern a lot in various production houses. As a result, I made my directorial debut in university in collaboration with the production house I was interning for at the time, LBX Africa. The film, Detox, was a huge success and from there, I just never looked back,” she recalls.
Planting Seeds of Grace: Bridging Gaps Through Storytelling
Years later, standing under the relentless East African sun in Kenya, Joan would witness another dream unfold. Seeds of Grace was born—an organization she founded almost by accident. DW Akademie’s project, (Re-)Claiming Spaces, sought to empower rural women and girls through access to information. In their call, Joan saw an opportunity to use film to bridge the gap between urban privilege and rural isolation. A girl in the city has a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips, but her counterpart in the village faces barriers that silence her voice before it can even be heard.
“I wanted to fill in distribution of the films to rural areas and specifically educational films that deal with GBV. When you think about it, a young girl in an urban setting versus a girl her age in the rural setting is very different due to exposure to knowledge and information,” she notes.
Through film screenings, focus group discussions, and reflection journals, Seeds of Grace became a beacon of hope. It created safe spaces for teenagers to engage in meaningful dialogue about intimate relationships and the scourge of gender-based violence. Watching these young women transform, finding their voices and their power, became one of Joan’s most profound achievements.
As a filmmaker, Joan witnessed the power of storytelling transcend borders. One project that remains close to her heart is Shine, a sports documentary directed for Guinness Africa. The film’s journey spanned four African countries, weaving a narrative that celebrated shared humanity. Through the lens, she saw how film—in all its rawness and beauty—brought together people from different walks of life. Joy, sorrow, resilience—these emotions have no passport or boundary. It is this universal connection that makes filmmaking a force capable of shaping perspectives and transforming lives.
“Films communicate human emotion and joy, sorrow, anger and any other emotion are all universal feelings that anyone can understand regardless of race, gender or class. And with this film, I think we depicted a beautiful Pan-African story which helped tap into audiences in both East and West Africa,” she reflects.
But there is also humility in realizing that the most impactful stories are not always her own. With Seeds of Grace, she has showcased films created by others, letting the narratives serve the purpose of awakening minds. Teachers marveled at the confidence and self-awareness that emerged in their students after these sessions. For Joan, the project deepened her understanding of storytelling’s potential to inspire change. It also taught her that the stories told must carry intention and clarity of purpose.
Entrepreneurship and the African Creative Industry
Reflecting on the African film landscape, Joan sees a canvas brimming with potential. It is an exciting time to be an African creative, with technology leveling the playing field. Filmmaking no longer requires a studio or a big budget. A smartphone, a compelling story, and the will to share it are all one needs. However, she emphasizes the importance of resisting the temptation to seek validation from external audiences. Like the Japanese and Koreans, who craft their art with a local focus, African filmmakers must first create for themselves. When they celebrate their own stories, the world will take notice.
“I like to think of Japanese anime and K-drama films, they were made for their specific audience without worrying what will Hollywood think. So even for us, if we create for ourselves, the world will catch up,” Joan says.
Closer to home, Kenya’s creative industry is on the rise. Joan acknowledges the strides made from the days when local premieres were met with indifference. Today, audiences dress up and show up, affirming their belief in Kenyan storytelling. Yet challenges remain—from insufficient government support to the absence of private sector investment. Despite these hurdles, the momentum is undeniable. As the quality of films improves, so too does the demand for authentic local content.
In her work, Joan strives to bring something uniquely hers to the table. Her voice is her innovation. It’s in the subtle details of her characters, in the way their journeys reflect her experiences and aspirations. While objectivity is often preached in storytelling, she believes that a well-packaged bias—a filmmaker’s fingerprint—can set a story apart. To her, authenticity is the truest form of innovation.
“My voice is my innovation. I love it when people say that they could recognize bits of my personality coming off the screen through my characters. I don’t know how to be anything else and while we are taught not to be biased in story-telling, I actually think bias, if packaged well, is the fingerprint that makes your story different from mine. And so, in being authentically me, I can tell my authentic African story from my perspective and bring you along,”
Looking ahead, Joan aims to expand her reach, collaborating with creatives across Africa to tell dignified, Pan-African stories. The numbers are on Africa’s side—the continent is a treasure trove of talent and stories waiting to be told. Her advice to creative entrepreneurs is simple: take risks and trust in your vision. The creative industry is young, and there is no rulebook. Each creator has the chance to carve a path others will follow.
Her heart lies in human-interest stories. These narratives remind us that solutions to life’s challenges often lie within us. Unlike fantasy or superhero tales that rely on external saviors, these stories celebrate resilience and self-discovery. They resonate deeply because they are real, universal, and profoundly human.
As her journey continues, Joan is reminded of the Igbo proverb: If the moon does not shine, the stars will guide us. Film is her light, her guide, and her way of making sense of the world. Through it, she hopes to inspire, provoke, and unite. The journey continues, and the stories are endless.