From War to Possibility: Goma Documentary

We’re excited to share this update on our documentary film project from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It’s been a very busy few months, and we’re happy to begin by sharing an important milestone... our film has a name!

Introducing Ndege

We decided on the name Ndege, which is a Kiswahili word meaning “bird.” Kiswahili is widely spoken in eastern DRC, including Goma, where the film was shot. We chose this name because it beautifully reflects the story at the heart of the film: six apprentices learning to spread their wings despite the challenges around them. Like birds taking flight, they demonstrate resilience, determination, and hope for a better future.

What was initially planned as a 15-minute film has grown into a 30-minute documentary, giving us the space to fully capture the richness of their stories and the incredible footage from Goma.

Translation Update

The translation process took longer than expected as we carefully worked to find a translator skilled not only in local Congolese Kiswahili and English but also experienced in the film footage translation process. We wanted to ensure the apprentices’ voices were represented accurately, naturally, and respectfully on screen. We were very fortunate to find and work with someone who had this unique combination of linguistic skill, cultural understanding, and film experience. While this extended our timeline, it was an important step in preserving the authenticity of their stories.

Next Steps

We’re now nearing the end of the post-production phase of this project, with a final cut anticipated in mid-February. What this means is that we’re far enough along that we’ve begun submitting Ndege to several targeted documentary film festivals. While film festival selection is highly competitive, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created and feel confident in its strength for festival viewing.

We’re incredibly grateful for your support and proud of the team and partners who have brought this project to life. Your generosity is helping ensure that voices from Goma are heard and shared with a wider audience. If you know others who may be interested in supporting this work, we invite you to share this update with them.

We look forward to sharing what’s next for Ndege.