Authentic stories across Africa Told by African filmmakers
My name is Mamihasina Raminosoa, and I am the Managing Director of DDC Africa, based in our flagship office in Madagascar. I have been part of DDC's team for 18 years and I am proud to share our journey.
Twenty years ago, like in many African countries, video production in Madagascar was dominated by foreigners who had significant investments and connections and controlled the major industries. Production companies primarily focused on lucrative big commercials, leaving little room for local filmmakers like myself.
However, everything changed when I met Colby, Ann, and Jack. They were young like me and had a different vision for their production company. They shared a genuine interest in telling stories about the real lives and thoughts of the Malagasy people. They immersed themselves in our culture, even learning our language, and believed that local stories should be told by local filmmakers who understood the nuances of our culture. Inspired by their vision, I joined the team and witnessed the incredible rise of DDC in Madagascar, specializing in films for development organizations.
Together, we embarked on adventures, exploring forests, staying in remote villages, and capturing breathtaking landscapes from the mountaintops. I had the privilege of discovering my own country through these productions. We also had the opportunity to travel the world. As we advanced, we wondered how we could grow our presence in the African market.
During a night of filming in Kigali, Rwanda, Colby and I discussed how our clients increasingly preferred to work with local filmmakers who had demonstrated an international caliber and were supported by an international network.
Fast forward to 2023, DDC has become a global reference, trusted by major international development agencies and recognized with prestigious film awards. I have filmed in over 30 countries, earned awards, and, most importantly, had the privilege of meeting numerous talented African filmmakers who have made significant breakthroughs in their own countries. Over the past six months alone, DDC has facilitated production in 8 African countries with our vetted collaborators.
Today, we are proud to announce the launch of DDC Africa, an extension of our commitment that vetted African filmmakers are best suited to tell local stories.
Over the past two decades, DDC has established strong working relationships with the most talented African visual storytellers who share our passion for films focused on creating positive change. DDC Africa is providing our highly skilled collaborators with support and expertise to elevate their production value and integrate them into DDC's established systems.
For more information, please visit our brand new website ddc-africa.com or contact me at mraminosoa@ddc-international.com
We look forward to embarking on a new chapter together!
All the best,
Mamihasina Raminosoa
Managing Director, DDC Africa