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Hi, I'm Essim Shaibu Mbwana, a passionate film enthusiast with over 12 years of experience. My journey began in Malawi where I taught myself video production while studying agriculture. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on exciting projects like the Amazon Prime licensed film "Misnomer," the DSTV People's Weather series "Living in Africa," and various music videos for notable Malawian artists. I specialize in cinematography, editing, and color grading. I also founded Animal Lab, a production company dedicated to empowering young filmmakers by providing access to top-quality video production equipment and fostering skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production. I'm committed to advancing the Malawian film industry and tell stories that inspire and inform.…Hi, I'm Essim Shaibu Mbwana, a passionate film enthusiast with over 12 years of experience. My journey began in Malawi where I taught myself video production while studying agriculture. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on exciting projects like the Amazon Prime licensed film "Misnomer," the DSTV People's Weather series "Living in Africa," and various music videos for notable Malawian artists. I specialize in cinematography, editing, and color grading. I also founded Animal Lab, a production company dedicated to empowering young filmmakers by providing access to top-quality video production equipment and fostering skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production. I'm committed to advancing the Malawian film industry and tell stories that inspire and inform.

Essim Shaibu Mbwana

Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Video Editor, +1

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Hi, I'm Essim Shaibu Mbwana, a passionate film enthusiast with over 12 years of experience. My journey began in Malawi where I taught myself video production while studying agriculture. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on exciting projects like the Amazon Prime licensed film "Misnomer," the DSTV People's Weather series "Living in Africa," and various music videos for notable Malawian artists. I specialize in cinematography, editing, and color grading. I also founded Animal Lab, a production company dedicated to empowering young filmmakers by providing access to top-quality video production equipment and fostering skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production. I'm committed to advancing the Malawian film industry and tell stories that inspire and inform.…Hi, I'm Essim Shaibu Mbwana, a passionate film enthusiast with over 12 years of experience. My journey began in Malawi where I taught myself video production while studying agriculture. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on exciting projects like the Amazon Prime licensed film "Misnomer," the DSTV People's Weather series "Living in Africa," and various music videos for notable Malawian artists. I specialize in cinematography, editing, and color grading. I also founded Animal Lab, a production company dedicated to empowering young filmmakers by providing access to top-quality video production equipment and fostering skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production. I'm committed to advancing the Malawian film industry and tell stories that inspire and inform.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Essim Shaibu Mbwana, a passionate film enthusiast with over 12 years of experience. My journey began in Malawi where I taught myself video production while studying agriculture. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on exciting projects like the Amazon Prime licensed film “Misnomer,” the DSTV People’s Weather series “Living in Africa,” and various music videos for notable Malawian artists. I specialize in cinematography, editing, and color grading.

I also founded Animal Lab, a production company dedicated to empowering young filmmakers by providing access to top-quality video production equipment and fostering skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production. I’m committed to advancing the Malawian film industry and tell stories that inspire and inform.

Skills

Video Advert

Corporate Video

Promo Video

Experience Level

Video Advert

Expert

Corporate Video

Expert

Promo Video

Expert

Language

English

Advanced

Chichewa; Chewa; Nyanja

Fluent

Work Experience

Director of Photography, Editor, Colourist at Misnomer (Malawian Movie licensed by Amazon Prime)

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

Served as Director of Photography, Editor, and Colourist on the Malawian film "Misnomer." Collaborated closely with the director to shoot and edit the movie trailer, managing the post-production pipeline to deliver a high-quality final product.

Director of Photography, Editor, Colourist at Highbrow (Malawian Movie acquired by DSTV Showmax)

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

Responsible for cinematography, editing, and color grading of the official movie trailer for Highbrow. Played a key role in post-production to ensure the visual aesthetic and quality matched industry standards.

Director of Photography, Editor, Colourist at DSTV Peoples Weather Channel - Living in Africa

January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Worked as Director of Photography for the pilot project titled "Living in Malawi" under the series Living in Africa for DSTV Peoples Weather channel. Responsible for capturing high-quality footage and contributing to the visual narrative.

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Colorist at Animal Lab

January 1, 2010 - June 7, 2024

Founder and leader of Animal Lab, a production company empowering young talent in the film industry. Provided access to advanced video production equipment, fostered skills development in film grips, lighting, shooting, and post-production workflows.

Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Colorist at GIZ AVCP Documentary

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022

Directed, shot, and edited a documentary titled "Fish for a prosperous future: Malawi's aquaculture sector". Managed the entire production process from filming through post-production to create an impactful environmental film.