What We Do
Storytelling, Africa to the globe!
About
Eric Maina Mwangi is a Cinematographer, Director, and Founder of Ripple Productions Ltd, known for bringing a distinctive African perspective to global storytelling. An alumnus of the American Film Showcase residency at USC, Eric crafts narratives that resonate deeply with local and international audiences. His work spans documentaries, commercials, and short films, exploring bold, thought-provoking themes. His recent directorial debut, ACT OF LOVE, garnered critical acclaim for its powerful exploration of maternal mental wellness.
In early 2024, Eric released two impactful short documentaries under Video Consortium’s Solutions Storytelling Project - Africa. FUNDING AFRICA explores systemic inequities in global philanthropy through the lens of African-led social impact organizations, while ISLAND OF HOPE follows Dr. Jacques Sebisaho’s mission to revolutionize healthcare on Idjwi Island in the DRC, spotlighting the transformative power of community-driven initiatives.
Eric’s commitment to telling powerful, life-changing stories led to his appointment as a director at Backroads Pictures, an award-winning California-based global production studio. Known for amplifying narratives that connect, empower, and impact audiences, particularly those focusing on community and environmental issues, Backroads Pictures offers Eric the platform to add a crucial African voice to their mission of creating stories that inspire change.
Through his work, Eric continues to challenge perceptions, break boundaries, and create resonant narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the universal human experience.
Featured Work
FUNDING AFRICA
ROLE: Director Cinematography In a world where African-led social impact organizations are often overlooked, Atti Worku and Teresa Njoroge scope the systemic inequities that exist in global philanthropy — and call for change. This film is a product of the Solutions Storytelling Africa Project by Video Consortium - https://videoconsortium.org/solutions/ssp-africa-eric-avf
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ISLAND OF HOPE
ROLE: Director Cinematography On Idjwi Island in Congo, Dr. Jacques Sebisaho fulfills a childhood promise by transforming healthcare through Amani Global Works. Through clinics and Community Health Workers, they provide life-saving care to the island’s forgotten people. Their impact is now reaching the mainland, reshaping healthcare for many. This film is part of the Solutions Storytelling Africa Project by Video Consortium - https://videoconsortium.org/solutions/ssp-africa-amani
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THE TIST MODEL: Planting Trees, Empowering Communities
ROLE: Directing & Cinematography An innovative small-scale growing community of smallholder farmers who have joined together, TIST helps African farmers build climate-resilient communities and improve the lives of their families, local areas, countries, and the world. This film screened at the 2024 CarbonSmart Summit Climate Week NYC - https://verra.org/case-studies/the-tist-model/# Produced by Peter Goetz x Alison Schweickert, Backroads Pictures, Los Angeles, California 90291, US https://www.backroadspictures.com/
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Kenyan on Mars
ROLE: Director of Photography Space travel has been a childhood dream for Isaac Gathu and the idea of travelling to Mars inspires this Kenyan space enthusiast. An IT technician and businessman by profession, he is also the founding president of the Mars Society of Kenya and an "analogue astronaut" who simulates space missions on Earth. Isaac's passion is both serious and at times tongue-in-cheek. He wears his homemade space suit in public to encourage awareness of space travel, and he prepares himself physically and mentally through his analogue activities for his distant dream of one day being a Kenyan on Mars. Directed by VC Member, Lydia Matata, Lydia Matata, screenwriter and filmmaker from Kenya.
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